Albuquerque morning journal. [volume] (Albuquerque, N.M.) 1903-1926, 1906-02-26
SENATE EAGER
To FIGHT OUT
RATEQUEST|ON
Foraker viii Constitute The.
Lonely Opposition.
BEVERlDGE AND NELSON TO
KEEP STATEHOOD TO FRONT

From the time that Senator Tillman
presents his report on the railroad
rate bill today until that measure shall
have been finally disposed of by the
senate that bill will actually if not
technically occupy the foremost place
on the senate calendar From the
beginning of the season the rate reg
ulation question has received eager at
tcntion, and will, whenever the sub
ject may be approached, even though
in an informal way, as has been the
case on several occasions and formal
reporting of the measure will neces-
sarily intensity interest in it.
There is no prospect of Immediately
displacing the statehood bill but there
have been many intimations that such
course might be pursued if that bill
continues to be unacted on when, a
few weeks later, senators gperally
find themselves prepared to enter
what all have believed from the be-
ginning would be the real conflict of
the season. All the senators, whatever
.
ering the railroad question as the most
important before congress and friends
and opponents of the Hepburn-Dolli-
yer bill alike unite in a desire to have
it taken up as promptly as possible.
There will be a lull, however, after the
| formal report is made, because all who
expect to participate in the bill feel
{ Of cttf iaia
i-pare for the conflict. With this prep-
aration once made it now looks as if
no other subject less seriously consid-
cred would be allowed to stand i'm its
way
Even during the period of prepara-
ton the rate question will not be per-
mitted to remain i'm complete obscu-
rity There will be references to it
from time to time and If the future
may be judged from the past every
mention of it on the floor of the SEN
ate will provoke discussion. 1t is not
at all improbable that presentation Of
the report tomorrow will develop de-
bate and it is quite well understood
that several members of the commit
tee on interstate commerce, by which
the bill has been under consideration
will take this opportunity to explain
! their votes in committee. This line of
proceeding will not be permitted to
go beyond o'clock, however, for at
| that hour the statehood bill will have
the right of way and cannot be dis
| placed except with the consent of its
| friends.
Foraker Will Take the Floor.
ON Wednesday Senator Foraker will
take the floor with a prepared speech
on the railroad question. His will be
the first formal speech on the subject
subsequent to the reporting of the
/ bin. So far as any announcement has
! been made, the Ohio senator stands
alone in opposing all railroad legisla-
| tion along the lines of the Hepburn
Dolliver bill He has heretofore an
nounced his position and it is under
stood that his speech is intended to
be a legal exposition of the reasons fog
his attitude. Many Interruptions of
his address will undoubtedly occur
and it is very doubtful whether he
win be able to conclude in one day.
There is already much speculation
as to the prospects of the rate bill
The most generally accepted view is
that 1t will be amended by the senate
in some particular. Most of the dem
ocratic members of the interstate
commerce committee, as well as other
democratic senators, have expressed
the opinion that there should be
changes in the BILL and it is not prob
able that they will alter their minds
simply because consideration of the
measure has been transferred from
the committee room to the senate
floor. The same may be said of the
republican members of the committee
who stood against reporting the bill
and their republican senators. 1t Is
already APPARENT that the crucial
amendment will be the addition of the
lappeal clause and over that there will
unquestionably be a determined con.
nict. The friends of such modification
claim thlrty-three republican senators
favorable to the addition of this pro.
Vision and some Of the democrats have
ln, the past stated that they would re.
1 gard such a clause with favor. 49,
Statehood Champions Mean Business
" Senators Beyeridge and Nelson, whC
Il have the statehood bill In charge, viii
not admit the possibility of displace
ment, even in the remote future, ape
they viii do their utmost to pres
It's consideration.
Beverldge Is temporarily absent, bu
Senator Nelson will insist Monday tina
nothing shall stand In the way o
Senator Dick proceeding with hi
/ speech in support of joint statehood
Tho first half of the speech was de
! livered more than n week ago an,
Dick sought in vain all last week L
secure an opportunity for It's conclu'