The Minneapolis journal. [volume] (Minneapolis, Minn.) 1888-1939, 1906-04-13
Approves of Principle in Fora
ker's Amendment, but Wants
Stricter Provision. ,-."
AMENDMENT NOW CUTS
OFF FARMERS PASSES
Great Northern 8 Custom in North
Dakota Ended If Provision
Is Adopted.
Nv w. w. Jermane.

Washington. April l3.-Senator TOT
aker yesterday afternoon was telilng
the senate about his antipass amend
ment to the rate bill, and announcing
that when the time came for the discus
sion of amendments, he would tell his
colleagues and the country why, IN MS
opinion. the railroads ought to be pro-
hibited from giving free transportation
to passengers. 49,
Senator Hansborough Of North Dako-
ia interrupted him to inquire II, V
Foraker IS judgment, the adoption OF the
amendment would prevent the Great
Northern road from issuing passes to
the farmers Of that state in order to
have them once a year visit the state
agricultural college at Fargo. Foraker
replied that he thought his amendment
would forbid such practice.
HansbAangh then announced that ne
favored He general principle of the
Foraker amendment at would be sorry
to- be convinced thu lat included affairs
then Stated farther that he would pre-.
s s%sn5 r. ~ |nsnt to the Foraker
Would Make It Unlawful.
Asked what this amendment. would
contain, he said that it would make it
unlawful for persons to accept passes
aker amendment simply prohibits the
railroads from Offering. the passes and
Hansbrough would go further than this
and also prohibit their acceptance
E'But I would except from the provi-
gions of the BILL he went on to say,
l1tFle clerks of committees of congress,
and the secretaries Of senators and rep.
either be permitted to accept passes,
when they can get them, or congress
should provide mileage for them the
same as it does for its own members. -
Speaking regarding the general anti.
pass proposition Mr.. Hansbrough said
that he would vote for such an amend
ment to the bill when the opportunity
arose. He is Of the opinion that the
case which he cited to Senator Foraker
would not come within the scope Of
federal authority.
States Have Authority.
Congress has the right to prohibit
all passes for interstate passenger bust
ness, but the state legislatures contro
the matter within state lines. So, i
the antipass amendment were put OF
the rate bill, it would not affect passe:
inside the state of North Dakota I'm
less the legislature Of that state were
to supplement- the federal act by al
act Of it's own. Whether or not i
would do this, he does not know, bu
= he admits that, under the stimulus of {
federal antipass act, many of the state
would be carried to the length re
ferred to- -.
81 believe that the abolition 0
passes is in the interest Of better things
in public service. It may work hard
ship for many individuals, but it's goo
to the entire community cannot
questioned. The annual gatherings o
the farmers of that state at Farg
think has an important educationa
value, and it need not be stopped b.
anything congress may do.
Would End Tristate Sessions.
"An antipass amendment would
however, put a stop to the tristate an
similar gatherings Of farmers Of tn
northwest, which have been popular
past years. That is, it would put
stop to that part Of them which DE-
ponds upon passes. However, this
matter for future consideration.
"No single instance Of this kind, 4
matter how merltorious, should int
fere with the enactment of provisio
whose general effect over the countr
would be as beneficial as this antipa'
provision would be. - .-#
It was suggested in the senate ye
terday afternoon that the general d
bate on the rate bill may be conclude
next week. That is to say, so far {
the discussion Of the general questic
is concerned. There are no set a
dresses in sight following that Mr.. I
Toilette, set for Tuesday. Between no
and then, however, it is, of course, Pc
sible that other senators may indica
a desire to talk, and if they do, tn;
will continue the debate. It is beco1
ing apparent that the general deba
is beginning to exhaust itself.