The semi-weekly messenger. [volume] (Wilmington, N.C.) 1897-1908, 1906-06-26

Mr. Hepburn, chairman Of the inter-
state and foreign commerce committee
of the house and chairman Of the con-
ferees on the railroad rate bill, called
up in the house the conference on that
measure today. He asked that the re-
port be considered now instead Of go
ing over for printing until Monday He
explained that possibly there might be
some discussion on the sleeping car"
and "anti-pass" amendments.
In the first case he stated that sleep
ing cars remained in the bill while the
anti-pass amendment had been modi-
fed so as to apply only to federal, state
and territorial officers, officials of the
postoffice department in certain par
ticulars being exempted.
Mr.. Hepburn explained that it was
the purpose of the oonferees as far as
they could, to remedy what has been
alleged to be the great evil of the pass,
the influence it had upon those who
represented the power of the people.
Mr.. Williams, of Mississippi, protest
ed against the manner in which the
through in view Of the promise made
by both Mr. GrOSvenOr and Mr.. DalZetl
that full and free debate" would be
conference report.
He asked unanimous consent that an
amendment along the lines of his sug-
gestiOn be permitted to be made.
The sueaker held that the senate had
something to say in the matter. That
the conference report was the joint
efforts of the conferees of the two
houses of congress and that the only
way to accomplish the purpose sought
was to disagree with the conference
report.
The ruling of the chair was a wet
blanket to Mr.. Williams.
Mr.. Richardson, Of Ala, protested
against the haste and said a promise
had been given for fair consideration.
Mr.. Dalzell. of Pennsylvania, ex-
planned that neither Mr.. GrOsvenor ror
himself had the power to say what the
house would do on the questions pre-
sented He said that full and free dis
cussion could be had if the previous
question was voted down.
Mr. Hepburn then moved the prev
ious question which was adopted 121 to
81.
Having placed themselves on record
in protest of the anti-pass amendment
the democrats and their allies voted
for the conference report, which was
adopted 216 to 4. Those voting in the
negative being Messrs. Driscoll, New
York. MCCALL, Massachusetts,; Gilie-
spie -YEas; and Sibley, of Pennsyl-
vania.
The anti-pass amendment which
caused most of the discussion is as fol-
lows:
CON and after January 1, 1907, COM
mon carriers subject to the provisions
of this act, shall not directly or inii-
rectly issue any free ticket Or pass for
carriage to any officer or person in the
service of the United States other than
those in the postal service; to any Off.
Ger or person in the service of any
state, territory or the District of Co
lumbia or to any officer or person in
the service of any county, township or
municipality, and except as herein pro-
vided no common carrier shall be pro-
hibited from granting any free ticket
or pass for carriage.
any common carrier VlOlaunS tnlS
provision shah be deemed guilty of a
misdemeanor and shall for each offense
pay to the United States q penalty OF
not less than 800 nor more than $4,000
and any officer or person in the service
of the United States or of any state,
territory or the District of Columbia,
or Of any county, township or munich
pality who uses or who solicits or ac-
oepts for himself any such free trans
portation, shall be subject to like
penalty Jurisdiction of offenses un-
der this provision shall be the same as
that provided for offenses in act en-
titled can Act to further regulate COM
merce with foreign nations and among
the states, approved February 10, 1903. y
The house having acted on the re-
port, it is ready to he considered IN
the senate on Monday.
Senator Tnlman, who still refuses to
sign the conference report says that be
will give his reasons in the senate and