The Montgomery advertiser., 1906-03-28
JOINT CONFERENCE
DEMOCRATS AND REPUBLICANS
 MAY HOLD CAUCUS.
Many Think that Advocates of Rate Regulation should Reach an Un- derstanding Before Voting
 on Amendments Begins.
By Alfred J. stofer.

Washington, March 27.-(Special.)- Senators of opposing sides supposed to have a close eye on legislative events, do not seem to have any definite idea as to whem a vote is likely to be reach ed on the all-absorbing railroad rate question. MT. Tillman Is still unwilling to make a prediction. Senator Aldrich, when questioned, almost invariably re- plies that the members of the upper branch of Congress opposed to the measure that was reported from the committee are ready to fix time for a vote when Messrs. Tillman, Deliver and others favorable to the Hepburn propo- sition or something like 1t will come to an agreement.
 Senators Rayner of Maryland and Gull person of Texas, who delivered lengthy and interesting speeches from the Dem ocratic standpoint. have within the past week been looking into the situation as 1t concerns an amendment providing for court review. Mir. Rayner is of the opinion that the Senate Democrats will be able to get together eventually on this very important proposition MT. Culberson is not so certain that divis- ions do not exist at present that may make it necessary for the minority par ty to hold a cancus on the subject.
 Other Democrats also appear to think that in order to vanquish the combinar tion headed by Senators Aldrich, Fora ker, Kean, Crane and Elkins, 1t would be a wise move for both Democrats and Republicans favorable to the Hepburn bill to have a joint conference in the near future and map out line of work instead of waiting to vote in the cham Der upon the many amendments that will be offered after the general debate closes.
 According to the pest information ob- tainable, more Democrats in the Sem ate than Republicans will vote ior a rate measure that will prove acceptable to President Roosevelt, and without the help of it's political opponents the ad- ministration would sustain defeat. If this turns out to be the case, 1t will be strictly in accordance with the posi- tive prediction made nearly one year ago on the subject by ex-Senator Chandler of New Hampshire. That lively retired statesman, who has charged his defeat for reelection to railroad influence in New England even if no longer a Senator, Is known to be doing everything possible as a prominent writer and worker to help along legislation that will please the President Mir Chandler still holds a fat Government job as chairman of the Spanish Claims Commission, the sal
 
 a United States Senator He owns a commodious residence in Washington, has other means and controls a pros- porous newspaper at Concord.
 It Is understood that at the request of many of his fellow Democrats of the House Hon. Charles A. Towne of New York will soon make a speech In the popular branch of Congress. It Is said that 1t will be chiefly of a politi- aa Mir TnWnR Ia Vn only looked upon by his associates as an able man, but one of the greatest orators in public life, they are looking forward to a speech that can be cir- cuIated to advantage in the campaign this year,
 Mir Towne has taken part In the dis cussions very little this session. He has evidently been waiting for legis- lation to become further advanced so as to gather material for making the stron gest possible points at the expense of his political opponents.