The times dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1903-1914, 1906-01-22
WON'T TURN DOWN
PRESIDENT BILL
But Rate Measure Will.
Be Well Edited Before
Going to Press.
.l -
MAY DlSCLAIM
BILLS PATERNITY
Strong Probability That Mr..
Roosevelt Will Not Want His
Name Associated With
Railroad Regulation
That Passes the
Senate.
tFrom our Regular Correspondent


WAsHINGToN. d. c.. Jan. 2l.-The
subject OF rate, regulation will have very
nearly the center OF the boards from
now on. possibly until near sthe end OF
the session. The subject was expected
to become at the first OF the session the
one of engrossing Importance, and to take
the foremost place in congressional con-
Eideration. but 1t has persistentiy Kept
In the background. though always soms-
what in the nature OF skeleton In the
Republican closet From, now on. how
ever. rate regulation legislation will be
the most prominent topic in Congress.
snd there Will be lively times in both
brancheE.
While the bill which the administration
desires passed viii have fairly smooth
sailing In the House, there are plenty
of rocks and reefs for 1t in the Senate
The majority OF the Republicans OF the
Senate are opposed to any legislation on
the subject which Will give the Inter-
state Commerce Commission authority to
regulate railway rates. But the pressure
of the administration and of public
opinion is so strongs that 1t is realized
That something win have to be done.
Will Report Dolliver Bill.
The Dollver bill, which had the endorse
ment OF the administration from the time
OF its introduction. will probably be re-
ported from the committee OF the Senate.
ii is understood that the Republican mem
bers of the Committee on Interstate and
Foreign Commerce. will report this bill,
with the understanding that 1t may be
amended by any senator who desires. j
is desired that the administration shall
have tine comfort of knowing that the
bill reported VIII be the one advocated
by Mr.. Roosevelt. so that. no matter how
greatly IL be amended before its pas
sage, il may 20 forth 10 The country that
his bill became law There is strong
probability. though, that the President
Will not want his name associated In any
way with the measure that will finally
pass the Senate. Those Republican sena-
tors who have agreed to the report of the
Dolliver bill with the understanding that
an amendment may be offered by any
of them at any time, without impair
ment of their party standing. are favor
ing the reporting OF the bill, not because
they love the President. but because they
love regularity and party organization.
IT Is realized that 1t would be a blow
TO the latter to turn down the bill IA
yored by the White House, so they are
willing to accord to President Roose-.
welt the empty honor of reporting his bill.
but will seek to amend IL 50 as 10 take
away the features which he chiefly ad-
vocates.
The Democrats are pretty well united
on the subject OF rate regulation both
In the Senate and in the House. Sena-
tor Morgan has bill In the Senate which
indicates that he Is opposed TO all regu-
lauon by the government, but it is prob
able hat he viii support the Cuberson
bill. eventually. 1t is not known whether
the Democrats of the Senate Will caucus
on the subject of a rate bill. but 1t is
tInt,r rtt f1,p,r Ff11 10 tsu
not great divergence between the Culber-
son and Dolliver bills. and the Demo
Gratis would not be sacrificing a great
deal to support the latter. IL it be left in
the form from which 1t will come from
the committee.
The railroads have little to lear, and
those shippers who are advocating govern
mental regulation of rates, have little to
hope. as the result of legislation on the
subject at this session.
II France makes a decisive move in re-
taliation for Venezuela's treatment of
her representative. Caracas this week will
he the center of world interest. Vene-
auela under the Castro regime has heen
an international problem. but the Monroe
doctrine. although necessarily involved in
It, Is SO thoroughly understood by all the
European countries that the State De-
partment anticipates no untoward action
on the part of France
The most recent Venezuelan
trouble began with the expulsion of NJ.
Brun, the representative OF the French
Cable Company. at Caracas. and charge
daffaires. NJ. Taigny's protest against
tliis action. Venezuela held that It's posi-
tion was correct and refused to treat
further with the French government
through M. Taigny.
There then followed long period, dur
Ag which, owing to the good offices Of
United States Minister Russell, an open,
rupture was avoided. President Castro,
by his diatory tactics, angered the French
government, and fleet was sent to Mar
Unique. However,, this Indication of
Frances determination to push the mat
ter did not have the desired effect Then
followed NJ. Iaigny's ACTION in boarding
the steamer "Martinique, to obtain dis
patches and the refusal by the >Venez,le-
Ian authorities to permit him to return
ashore. Although technically this was,
not forcible expulsion. 1t amounted to
mn act of hostility, and NJ Mauborrpt,et
the charge d'affaires of Venezuela, was
expelled from French territory. Three
French warships are now OFF the Yene-
zuelan coast and a naval demonstration
is anticipated. From M international
point OF View. Algeclras will divide In
terest with Venezuela 4.
Delegates Apprehen5ive.
At the Moroccan conference a feeling
Of unrest Is said to exist among the dele
gates OF the less interested powers, who
believe that trouble is in sight.
The organization of the Morocco police,
which involves the vital issue between
France and Germany. has been, post
poned for some time.
The end of the week will see the close
OF the general elections In Great Britain.
The annual automobile tournament be-
gins on the Ormond-Dayton beach on
Inn a tk,a,., 1,,Ia
It is evident there w u be many exciting
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