Martinsburg herald. [volume] (Martinsburg, W. Va.) 1881-1920, 1906-05-26
PASSED THE RATE BILL
Hepburn Measure Goes through
Senate BY Vote Of n to 3.
DEBATE OCCUPIED 70 DAYS
Chief Features of the Law to Regu-
late the Railroads Broad Court
Review is Granted.

late the Railroads Broad Court
Review is Granted.
Washington, May l9.-After 20 days
of almost continuous deliberation, the
senate Friday, at 4 :53 D. M. passed
the railroad rate bill by the practic-
ally unanimous votes of II to 3 The
three negative votes were cast by SEN
ator Foraker, republican, Ohio, and
Senators Morgan End Pettus, demo-
Gratis. Alabama. There was a
what larger attendance of senator's
than usual, but the attendance in the
galleries was by no means abnormal.
and there was no manifestation of any
kind when the result was announced.
There was. however, an almost gen.
eral sigh of relief among senators.
The bill has received more attention
from the senate and from the country
at large than any Measure that has
been before congress since the repeal
of the purchasing clause of the Sher-
man act 10 1898. 1t was reported to
the senate ON February &c and was
made the unfinished business on
March 10 From March IL to May 4
the bill vas under general discussion
without limitation on the duration of
speeches, So of which were delivered.
Many of these were prepared with
Craaf nnra anI furN OF Nto.r, onncrYrnI
more than a days time in delivery.
Senator Lafollette, the junior senator
from Wisconsin, spoke for three DAYS,
and Senator Daniel, Virginia. for two
days. Senators Bailey, Foraker,
Lodge, Rayner, Deliver and others
each spoke for one entire day.
END OF BITTER CONTEST.
For ~ DAYS the bill has been under
consideration under a rule limiting
speeches to Is minutes each. The 6e-
bate has at all times been earnest and
animated, but for the most part devoid
of personality as between senators,
the past few days, however, having
called out some caustic criticisms OF
the president and of some newspaper
correspondents by Senator Bailey.
In addition to passing the bill the
proceedings consisted in concluding
the consideration of the amendments
as such and the delivery of a number
of speeches on the bill. The only
amendment ADOPTED was the one offer
ed by Senator Teller eliminating the
words Gin it's Judgment from the
power given to the interstate com
merce commission to fl rates
POINTS IN THE BILL.
The chief points of the Hepburn bill
are as follows:
Interstate commerce commission
given power to fix the maximum rate
to be charged, where complaints are
made.
The rate SO fixed may be reviewed
to the fullest extent by the courts.
Before the rate can be suspended by
any in~terlocutory decree notice Of five
days and a hearing before three judges
are necessary.
The rate fixed and passed upon goes
into effect within 30 days and may re-
main in force for two years.
The commission may fix through
rates and part rail and part water
rates.
The commission is to consist of fv
members, as at present.
Railroads and carriers are prohibited
from dealing in commodities they
carry.
Pipe lines, privat car lines, express
comp mics and ralace car companies
are made common carriers.
r bates are TO be punished by i'm
prisonment Of either the person grant
ing or accepting a rebate, ard fines
from 81, 600 to $50, 900 may be imposed.
A person soliciting or compelling a
rebate NAV also be fined three times
the amount of the rebate.
Railroads must keep a uniform set
OF books, accessi Die to the commission
at sill times.
Railroads must also make uniform
reports.
The giving of interstate passes. ex.
cept in stated cases, is prohibited.
The commission may compel switcl
and siding connections.