Every evening, Wilmington daily commercial., 1906-02-09
nlscn.1.ANrous REcoRp
Railroad Fight Goes 70 Senate.

Hallroad right Goes 70 oonutes
The fight for the government regulation
Of railroad rates now goes to the United
States Senate. The House Of Represen-
tatives, yesterday afternoon, passed the
Hepburn BILL which is said to embody the
views Of President Roosevelt, by large
majority. Democrats and Republicans
joined in supporting the measure tho
former doing so because, in their opinion,
the bill represents solid Demoorao doc
trine.
Throughout the discussion In the House
Of Representative il was demonstrated
that the bill, as passed by the House, is
absolutely an administration measure.
II was stated during the debate that it
had been submitted to President Roose-
Welt and had received his unqualified ap-
prnval For this reason, the Republican
majority Of the House, aided by Demo-
cratic members who favored the bill be-
cause they considered it a Democratic
measure, absolutely refused 10 permit the
slightest amendment. Defiance was also
hurled at the Senate, and il was main
tanned that the House would insist upon
the enactment Of the measure just as it
had been passed by that body.
The bill, in brief, places the regulation
of railroad freight rates in the hands Of
the Interstate Commerce Commission,
which tribunal is to consider appeals from
rates established by the railroad COM
panes and determine whether they are
fair and reasonable, with power to make
alterations and reductions where such
action may be deemed necessary. De
spite the contention that in this shape the
hill Is clearly unconstitutional, the House
defeated all attempts to correct this mani
fest weakness by amendment.
The prediction is freely made that the
bill viii be radically amended in the Sen.
ate, and that the House of Representa-
tives, despite the valorous insistence oi
some Of the strong administration mem.
bers that they will consent TO no changes
will surrender in the end. This is the way
such controversies generally result Tn,
House makes a stand and declares Will
great determination that il will not bulge
The Senate tears,a bill to pieces and calml,
says 20 the House: "You will accept thi
or you viii get nothing" And after
little more buster the House meelsly sur
renders.
There is reason to believe that this vii
be the case with the Hepburn bill in th,
Senate. The latter body, according {,
the best Washington advices, will insis
upon an amendment providing for IN,
right Of appeal TO the courts from the de
cision Of the Interstate Commerce Com
mission, and in this shape the bill ma,
pass the Senate. II the House insist
upon standing out against this amend
ment, there viii be no legislation what
ever. But the probabilities are that tn
House viii accept the change, and in thi
shape the bill viii become law.
Tho course Of the bill in the Senate
sure to be attended by an interesting dis
cussion. Some Senators are opposed .
it in any form, and others will resolutel
resist its passage without the amendmen
providing for the right Of appeal TO tn
courts. The administration will exer
great pressure to secure the enactmen
OF the measure in its present shape, bu
it is not believed that President Rooseve
will force the fight TO the point Of ope
rupture with Republican Senators. Sen,
tor Knox Of Pennsylvania, one Of h
closest advisers, is in favor Of the rigl
Of appeal 20 the courts from the decision
Of the Interstate Commerce Commission
and his influence will no doubt 20 f
towards bringing the President to Il
point Of acquiesoence. But that the
will be no rate measure without this col
cession it seems safe to predict.