The National tribune., 1906-02-15

decay, and for this reason they are test
ing every reasonable method, chemical
and otherwise. to preserve the wood
Telegraph and telephone poles cost
more than formerly
Representative Dixon, Of Montana,
introduced bill early in the seth Con
gress which is Of singular importance
to the shop-keepers of Washington. AS
Is well known. this town is the Eden
of Installment-plan houses, and the
hearing on the Dixon bill would go to
show that about everything that a Gov
eminent clerk uses Is bought on the
installment plan. especially groceries
There appeared before the Committee
OH Reform in Civil Service Of the House
the President of the Retail Grocers' Pro
tective Association, whose tale Of woe
was almost amusing. The Treasurer OF
the Association was also heard.
These gentlemen said there are be-
tween 5000 and $4,000 unpaid ac-
counts on the books of the grocers OF
Washington, two-thirds of which are
against Government employees. One OF
the speakers cited an instance of a
mother, daughter and son, all in Gov
eminent employ, who owe five different
grocers a total of $241.77. They urged
the passage Of the bill so that the bust
ness men of the city might not be de
frauded.
The House of Representatives passed
the Hepburn railroad rate bill by a vote
of 346 to 7. Those voting against the
| bill were Little6eld, Mccall. Perkins
Sibley, Southwick. Vreeland and Weeks
all Republicans.
According to Mr.. Hepburns statement
In closing the debate on the measure
the bill was intended to comply spe-
officially with the recommendations OF
PRESIDENT Roosevelt on the rate ques-
ton. 1t gives to the Interstate Com
merce Commission authority, when q
rate has been complained of as "un-
reasonable" by q shipper to Investigate
that rate. state whether or not it Is un-
| reasonable, and if found to be unrea-
sonable to name a rate which is to be
just and reasonable and fairly remuner-
alive, which is to be the maximum rate
| to be charged.
This rate SO fixed is to go into effect
30 days after 1t is announced by the
Commission, subject during that time to
be set aside or suspended by the Com
| mission or by the courts. After it has
gone into effect it is to remain the rate
| for three years. During this time the
opinion has been expressed by those
who have participated in the debate
that the rate may also be reviewed by
the courts and, if found to be in con-
| hiSs SIehSi Win lIIc lcTIi1S OI inc dCl
| Or with the Constitution by being con.
| fiscatory, can be set aside by the courts
Another important feature Is the
definition of the word railroad" and
| transportation" in a manner to include
all auxiliary instrumentalities of the
| common carrier and to bring them
within the control Of the Commission
| This power to name reasonable rate
and the inclusion Of the auxiliaries with.
In the jurisdiction of the Commission
are said to be the new features All
other provisions are notifications OF
existing law. They include publicity OF
railroad methods. which is to be aided
by prescribing q system of bookkeeping
and enlarging the Commission to seven
members and increasing salaries OF
members to $4,000 year.
After the roll call the announcement
OF the passage Of the bill was received
with ripple of applause Speaker Can
non announced the vote to be 346 yeas
and nays. Those voting against the
bill We're all Republicans.
| Mr.. Sullivan, OF Massachusetts, voted
present" and was not paired There
were ~ members paired, but these pairs
were generally political ones. None of
| them was made on the bill, and conse.
quentiy did not indicate opposition,
Representative Baker. of New York.
VINO would not como back to Congress
because he did not like the ''disf1onest''
surroundings there. went back to his