Richmond planet. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1883-1938, 1906-04-07
TILLMAN AND THE RATE BILL.


Senator B. r. Tfllman has been
virtually side-tracked and the Hep
burn Rate Bill is hopelessly i'll un-
der his treatment. We predicted
that he would prove 2 champion
blunderbuss in the handling of the
measure and our expectations have
been more than justified. Presi-
dent Roosevelt. who at the time of
his selection to present the bill to
the Senate and to take charge OF
the measure on the floor of the
chamber is said TO have consoled
himself with the remark that Sen
ator Tllman is an honest man has
become thoroughly Disguised.
in fact. be has emphasized it by
calling a conference Of Senators at
the White House. TO which Senator
Tnman was not even invited
and as "a result an mendment
providing for a court review was a.
dopted. That the South Carolina
."Pitchfor&" is angry goes without
Saying He has been interviewed
land the following extract viii give
an idea of his feelings at the pres
ent time.
Senator Tillman, who has charge
of the railway-rate bin in the Sen
ate. said last night that be was not
satisfied with the court review
mendmeut TO the measure which
was agreed upon Saturday az a con
ference between President ROose-
welt. several Republican Senator's,
who are supporting the bin, and
members of the Interstate Com
merce Commission.
The Senator said he would oppose
it, on the floor of the Senate. and he
expressed the opinion that not half
"a dozen or his Democratic colleagues
would stand by the amendment
senator Tillmau declared the a.
mendmcnt does not meet the situa-
tOn fully. inasmuch as it makes no
provision setting forth specifically
that there shall bee no suspension of
the railway rate fixed by the Inter
state Commerce Commission pend
ing the judicial determination of
any case which may bo appealed
from the rate as established.
This is contention which Sena-
tor Tiilman and "a number of Dem
ocratc Senators have urged. as they
argue that a failure TO provide alb
solutely against suspension OF the
rate operates 90 nullify the objects
for which the legislation ifs desired
The Senator added that he would
prefer 90 vote for the House bin ass
it stood than 90 accept the amend
meut. for the pending measure gave
the right of review where COnstitu-
uonal questions are involved.
The proposed amendment was dis
cussed generally yesterday among
groups of Democratic Senators. but
there was no conference on the sub
Ject among them
Senator Spooner was az the
White House last night In confer
ence with President Roosevelt. pre-
sumably on matters connected with
rate legislation.
VIII Senator TUuman insist upon
$780, .'.-.'-- .---t--. 90 aNfe---.----
ing and obstructng legislation or
viii he simply enter his protest and
offer his amendments and permit
vote? Should he pursue the course
indicated. he viii Doe subscribing the
purposes of Senator Aldrich about
ass well as though he voted against
lam rate legislation. This fiery
South. Carolinian and the forces raj
lying under President Roosevelt's
leadership have been outgcneralled
LAT every point.
The distinguished occupant OF
the White House at last seems TO
realize that he is too heavily handi-
capped TO win along the lines laid
down by him at the outset. He has
slightly changed his course without
materially affecting his policy with
the hope that he may save some
thing from the wreck of the demon
allied army that has been grievous-
ly worsted in contest under the
leadership OF the laundering COM
mander from South Carolina.
Further comment seems to indi-
cate that Senator TIuman does not
know exactly what to do. He may
find himself at any time without
even the semblance Of a following.
Here is the way "a knowing CORES
pondent puts it:
Meantime Senator Tiuman is in
something of a quandary over the
question OF pressing for an agree
ment 10 vote. Thus far he has en-
countered united opposition from
the Republicans in this matter. and
has had no encouraging support
from the Democrats. Mr.. Aldrich
has given II out that there must be
no discussion OF a date to vote un-
til Mr.. Bailey has returntd. Moth
ing daunted, however, Mr.. Tillman
has persisted in his efforts to get
some sort of an expression from the
Senate as TO when il would be
pleased TO vote. Presumably ne
Will take this matter ND with Mr.