The Birmingham age-herald., 1906-05-15
RATE BILL STILL
 BEFORE SENATE
Jay Passes Without Adoption
 of a Single Amendment
BUT SEVERAL ARE REJECTED
Proposition to Require All Railroads to Install Block Signal Systems Is Re- jected-Eig ghth Section Now
 Under Consideration.

JcCIcu-El9ntn section NOW
 Under Consideration. Washington. May 1.-The session of the Senate today passed without an exciting incident, and without the adoption of a single amendment to the railroad road rate bill, notwithstanding that measure was under consideration practically all the time from the hour of the converting, Il o'clock. until adjournment at 5:15 D. m.
 The most characteristic feature of the day was the rejection of amendments. This was accomplished either by direct vote or by the process of laying on the table, and one followed another In rapid succession. Among the provisions thus adversely disposed of were several in- tended to fix the liability of railroad companies for injury to employees.
 The presentation of provisions intended to accomplish this purpose had the effect of bringing out a practically authoritative statement that the committee on inter- state commerce will report the independ- ent House bill on that subject which Is now pending before 1t.
 When the Senate adjourned the eighth section of the bill regulating the personnel of the interstate commerce commission was under consideration. Senator Lodge offered substitute for the pending sec ton providing for new committee of nine members. one from each of the ju- dicial courts, but indicated d willingness to accept a modification suggested by Sen ator Bailey requiring the creation of nine transportation districts with a member from eacn of them The Senate tomorrow will meet at It's regular hour. 12 o'clock, instead of II, as it has for some days past.
 Senator Daniels Request. The rate bill consideration ln the Sem ate began today with a request from Sem ator Daniels to modify his amendment which was under consideration when the Senate adjourned Saturday Mir Daniels said he simply wished to perfect his | amendment to provide that evidence prop erly before the commission shall not be duplicated before court, The amend ment MT. Daniel said was intended to meet an evil pointed out by the supreme court of the United States and prevent the railroad from withholding it's case from the commission for the purpose of presenting evidence subsequently to the court.
 Senator Lafollette offered a substitute which made additional evidence produced by court available for ten days to the commission, that the commission might. if desired modify its order. On motion Of Senator Hale the substitute was laid upon the table Mir Hale then moved to lay the Daniel amendment on the table which was done without roll call. Another amendment was offered by Mir Daniel making it necessary to bring suits on ap- peal within thirty days after the ruling of the commission.
 Senator Morgan presented a substitute which included besides the thirty day requirement provision for the jury trial in certain contingencies. This he said would restore to the bill constitutional provision which the committee had elim- mated. Mir. Daniel appealed to MT. Mor- gan to withdraw his substitute which he did temporarily.
 On Senator Aldrich's motion the Daniel amendment was laid on the table and Morgans amendment was defeated.
 Bookkeeping Methods.
 MT. Morgan gave notice that in the Sen ate he should demand aye and nay vote upon his amendment, which has just been voted down by d vote of 10 :.
 Senator Gallinger precipitated discus sion which developed two opinions regard- ing the bookkeeping methods prescribed for common carriers. Senators Foraker, Aldrch and Knox hold the provision would prohibit carriers Tor any of their officers" from keeping any but the pre- scribed books. Senators Tillman and Nell son took the view that it did not prohibit any officer or agent from keeping memo randum accounts nor did it apply to any fag n6u regarded the provision one of the most important in the bill Ii was intended to prevent secret rebates and should not be weakened. After several other senators had opposed the amendment. Senator Gal lagher withdrew fl. Senator Aldrich then moved to amend the provision prohibit- ing the keeping of any other accounts. records or memoranda than those approved by the commission by inserting the word relating to the business of the carrier after the word memoranda"
 The amendment was opposed by Senator Hopkins and was withdrawn by Senator Aldrich.
 A New Section.
 new section of the bill proposed by Senator Lafolette providing for investigation by the commission to ascer- tain the fair value of the property of all railroads. etc. During the reading the Wisconsin said that an amendment by him was taken a signal for someone O. his republican colleagues to move to lay 1t on the table. he desired to have order. At his demand the proposed new section was ordered read from the begin ming and at the conclusion Senator Hale promptly made a motion to table. At the request of Senator Money the motion was withheld while he spoke briefly supporting the amendment. Before Senator Hale called for his motion. Senator Spooner said he did not know whether his col- league desired to speak, but if he did he should be permitted to do Senator Hale said he thought the Senate was ready to vote. but that he would with hold the motion long enough for the au- thor of the amendment to speak.
 Senator Clark of Arkansas objected on the ground that the senator from Maine could not make his motion with a string to it.and that he could not specify who should speak whereupon the Maine sen- ator again made his motion to table it. Senator Bacon made point of order that under the consent agreement under the discussion of amendments under ths fif teen-minute rule. a motion to table was not in order.
 It was ruled that the motion to lay the
 (contlnued on Eighth Paos.)