New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1906-02-14
COURT REVIEW SURE.
RATE BILL AGREEMENT.
Republican Senators to Reach One
TO-day-DemOcrats May Help.
tFron The TT buns Bureau. ]


Washington Feb l3-Beyond question the
conservative element I'm the Senate Committee
on Interstate Commerce now dominates the sit
uation in that body regarding the Railway Rate
bill The fact will be demonstrated within the
next twenty-four hours by agreement among the
Republicans on the proposed section Of the bill
which is deemed vital, namely, the specific pro-
vision for review by the courts of the rates fixed
by the Interstate Commerce Commission.
Republicans of influence on the committee are
now bending their energies TO obtaining, if pos
sibe, unanimous agreement of the Republican
members for this feature. Notwithstanding tho
fact that two of their number. Senators Dolli-
yer. Of Iowa. and Clapp, of Minnesota, in
clined resist the adoption of that clause. the
men who are working TO this end think tonight
that united front of the party can be pre-
seuted. If IT turns out to be impossible. how
ever 10 gain this much desired end. it does not
follow that the power Of review will be withheld.
on the contrary, there is every reason TO expect
that sufficient Democratic votes in committee
can be obtained TO add that provision to the bill
once the bill is in the Senate carrying that sec
ton there is declared TO be no doubt that It Will
receive a large majority vote.
All day long the conservative Senators were
Iaboring over the question of review. They
discussed II IN open committee. varying opin-
After the committee adjourned there con-
ferences of Republican leaders on the same sub
tect. The declaration was made that President
roosevelt approved the adoption of an amend
-oent Of the character designated, and it was
urged that Senator Lodges speech of yester-
day, bore out the Presidents accord with the
programme Of the leaders.
HOPES FOR DEMOCRATIC SUPPORT.
The phraseology of the proposed amendment
for review by the courts and continues to
ne the subject Of earnest consideration. 1t
would he easv enough 10 word provision which
vou-d represent the views of one faction or the
Republicans on the committee, but the desire is
so 20 phrase the amendment as to make II
acceptable TO all the Republicans and not re-
pugnant TO the House, which omitted that pro-
vision.
The Senate Republicans are also trying 10
avoid a revolt of the Democrats. The unanimity
between the Democrats and Republicans of the
House on the Hepburn bill is cited by the Re-
publicans as encouragement for the hope that
an agreement approximating that may be OBJ
talned in the Senate committee
This expectation may not be realized. for
strong political leaven IS working among the
Democrats Of the Senate to arouse partisan
fernent over the bill. There are whisperings
among the Democratic politicians in the Senate
that some good politics might he played by
'..--'--- -'ooF from the Republican agreement
and forcing the Republicans TO either swing all
their men into line disclose the rift I'm the
Lutte The difficulty is that the Democrats are
experiencing trouble in finding opposition
bill upon which all of them agree.
Over and beyond the consideration Of possible
party advantage is the feeling of many Demo-
,-r.4rS in he hal is patriotic
question. not susceptible TO plays Of peanut
politics" The House is the body where political
capital usually is made. and yet the Democrats
of the House At to sink politics in the
broader aspects Of the case. and there are some
Democratic Senators who will not permit them
selves 10 be inveigled into Claptrap campaign
methods. with respect TO this bill.
one of the features of the day was the intro
ductIon in the Senate of Senator EIkns's Rail-
way Rate bill He has been Withholding his
bill since the holiday recess. The Foraker bill.
the Dolliver bill and other measures have been
presented and the gantlet of criticism. but
the chairman of the committee was holding out
his measure until to-day.
CHANCES FOR ELKTNs BILL
Senator Elkins urges for his bill that it con-
forms 10 the views of President Roosevelt.
Nearly every bill thus far offered has been de-
clared to embody the recommendations of the
administration for railway rate legislation. but
the Elkins bill, its author says, is the simon
pure article in that respect. Moreover. Senator
ElNins came out in a declaration of sympathy
with the Presidents fight for regulation of rates.
1t remains TO be seen whether the Elkins bill
will be entirely satisfactory to the advocates Of
the ADMINISTRATORS plan OF legislation. Sen
ators, speaking frankly, say that perhaps 1t
would be more desirable to have the perfected
bill bear the title of some one other than SEN
ator whom the public has been inclined up to
this time to regard rather Iukewarm, to say
the least on the Roosevelt plan. While many Of
the admirable features of the Elkins proposition
might be incorporated these Senators say. they
disposed to hesitate at accepting the Elkins
bill entire. for sentimental reasons largely.
Indications that the bill which came over
from the House will be the measure reported to
the Senate with certain amendments to meet
the views OF conservative Senator's. the power Of
judicial review and perhaps a few minor
changes. 1t is admitted that the House bill
possesses some crudities. consequent on the
nature of its creation and passage. II will be
the object of the Senate committee to round out
the bill 10 insure its standing the test of the
Supreme Court in all its provisions without mar
ring its four essential features.
The committee will vote Friday on the per-
fected bill.
NOW HE'S THE REAL THING.
IBy Telegraph The Tribune
Milwaukee, Feb 13 Henry j. Martens