The Birmingham age-herald. [volume] (Birmingham, Ala.) 1902-1950, 1906-03-15
GENERAL DEBATE
ON RAILROAD BILL
Senator Rayner Starts the Ball
Rolling
FORAKER is AGAINST IT
The Senate Calls for All Reports and
Information Bearing On the Re-
cent Fight With Moros at
Mount Jolo.

Washington, March 14-The railroad
rate bill today reached the controversial
stage in the Senate. The question came
up in the regular order of business shortly
before o'clock and held the floor until
the doors were closed for brief execu-
tive session a few minutes after clock.
Mr.. Rayner was the chief speaker Of the
day, and the debate that took place was
provoked by some of his utterances.
Among the senators who were aroused by
him were Messrs. Foraker, Lodge and
DolliYer. Both the Ohio senator and the
Massachusetts senator took exception to
Mr.. Rayner's contention that the rail-
roads have interfered in the framing of
the bill, and Mr. Foraker also expressed
himself as dissatisfied with the intimation
that the railroads are represented on the
floor of the Senate.
Mr.. Dolliver expressed displeasure with
the plea for amendments and went so
far as to say that the help of such
friends as Mr. Rayner could very well
be dispensed with. other senators who
participated in the debate were Messrs.
Aldrieh Tillman and Knox.
Will Be Unconstitutional.
Mr.. Knox freely expressed the opinion
that the bill would be unconstitutional
the commissions findings by the court.
and Mr.. Aldrich stated his belief that he
and Mr.. Rayner were not greatly at vari-
ance in their views. He declined, how
ever, to agree to accept amendments
which were outlined by the Maryland
senator. Mr.. Tillman reiterated his objec-
tlon to the bill, but declared that he be-
as TO make acceptable.
The argument of Mr. Rayner was d.
rected in favor of the general proposition
that Congress has the right to fix rates,
but that the bill should be so amended
as to dispense with the suspension pro-
vision. He also advocated other amend
ments.
AT the beginning of its session today the
Senate passed bill authorizing Rear
Admiral c. II. Davis U. S. N. to accept
gifts rendered him by the British and
Russian governments.
Call for Papers On Jolo.
On motion of Mr.. Culberson the follow
ing resolution was adopted:
'rhat the secretary of war is hereby
directed to send to the Senate copies of
reports and other communications be-
tween the war departemnt and any Off
cials in the Philippine islands respecting
the recent attacks by troops of United
States troops on Mount Jolo."
The resolution was accepted without
comment or division.
Mr. Warren addressed the Senate on
the bill extending from twenty-slx to
twenty-eight hours the time during which
live stock in transit on railroad trains
may be confined without change, saying
that the measure was in the interest OF
humanitaranism ands should be passed.
The bill as reported by the committee on
agriculture and a number of senators
made objection that it should have been
considered by the committee on inter-
state commerce.
Mr.. Tillman made a plea in the interest
of the consumers of beef. The cattle own
ers want to get through with as little
cost as possible, he said. 1.-The railroad
men are concerned only in saving trouble
and expense and the humane society peo-
pie are generally up in the MOON" He
contended that to keep cattle confined
for more than twenty eight hours would
cause feverlsh condition, rendering the
stock unfit for butchering.
Mr.. Warren contended that the result
would be the opposite of that indicated
by the South Carolina senator.
After further discussion the bill was
laid aside and Mr. Rayner addressed the
Senate in support of the railroad rate
bill
During the progress of his speech Mr.
Rayner engaged in a controversy will
Mr. Dolliver over the rights of parties t.
any case arising under the bill to g,
into the United States courts. He con
tended that no such privilege was granted
and that none existed unless as mucl
as $4,000 was involved, while Mr.. Dollivei
urged the jurisdiction of circuit courts.
Suggests Railroad Lawyer.
In the course of his remarks Mr.. Ray
ner suggested that some railroad lawye
had been instrumental in framing SOM
parts of the bill, and Mr. Foraker aske'
what lawyer he had in mind
Not you responded Mr.. Rayner Fl
added the statement that the suggestion
| had applied to the provision for the sus
| pension of the findings of the interstate
commerce commission.
| Mr.. Foraker asked then If reference
| had been made to Mr.. Dolliver. and h
| replied in the negative, adding that h
| had the names of lawyers and could Civ
| them.
ut is the first time. responded Mr.
Foraker, THAT ever heard that there ha,
been railroad lawyer engaged in tn
preparation of the bill. but l had sus
pected ii all the time
Mr. Rayner replied that the use of tn
word suspension in the bill was suffi
cient evidence of their activity and n
held that il it was to remain, he woul'
not support the bill.
Mr.. Dolliver declared that no outsid
attorney except the Attorney Genera
had been consulted in the preparation o
the bill.
There is not line IN the bill that can