The Washington herald. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1906-1939, 1907-02-16
VALUE OF RAILROADS
Interstate Committee Votes
fOFLa Toilette Bill.
MEASURE SERIOUSLY DELAYED
Committee Decides to Ask Interstate
Commission for Its Opinion on the
Trying to Get Action on the Bill
This Session of Congress.

The Senate Committee on Interstate
Commerce met yesterday after a long in
terVal OF rest. owing to the absence of
Senator Elkins, the chairman, made nee
essary by a lawsuit The meeting was a
special one. called at the request Of Sen
ator La Toilette, whose bill for the valu-
alton of railroad properties, as basis
for making just and reasonable rates for
transportation. Is pending before the In
terstate Commerce Committee
Mr. La Toilette has been watching for
the return of the West Virginia Senator
for several days. Day before yesterday
he happened to overtake him in the Mar
bic Room and at once asked him TO call
a meeting of his committee and take up
his bill
Senator Elkins directed attention TO the
fact that he was I'm favor OF the bill and
had voted for it when it was offered by
the Wisconsin Senator as an amendment
to the rate bill last summer. He said he
would call a meeting at once. but was in
doubt whether it would be possible 20 get
a quorum. owing TO the pressure Of bust
ness in other directions
There Was Quorum.
When the time came for the meeting
yesterday there was no trouble about a
quorum. The Senators were there.
Chairman Elkins called up a bill in re
gard 10 The shipment OF explosives. and 1t
was discussed thoroughly up to very
nearly the time to ajourn. Then it was
disposed Of with a favorable Recommended
ton, and the La Toilette bill was taken
up. 1t was soon clear that there was a
majority present for the measure, and
when a vote was taken it showed ma
jority of one for a favorable report
Those voting for the measure were Sena-
tors Clapp, Tilman. Carmack, Newlands
and McLaurin. Those voting against it
were Senator's Elkins. Kean. Crane. and
CullOm. Senators DOlliver. Foraker
Foster. and Aldrich were absent
Senator Clapp having left a meeting Of
his own committee. that on Indian Affairs
to be present, withdrew as, soon as the
vote was taken. supposing that no further
business was before the committee for the
day.
He had hardly gotten back to his own
committee-room before a motion was
made by Senator Crane TO hold the fav-
orable report on the valuation bin for
the present and ask the Interstate Com
meTce Commission 10 give the committee
their views on the effect Of the measure.
and whether it was required in order to
determine railroad rates 4 spirited pro-
test was made 10 this action by Senator
Carmack and Senator TilIman They de-
manded that in voting on the question
the vote of Senator CIapp be counted
against it, in accordance with his support
Of the main proposition. Chairman Eikins
refused TO allow this to be done, and the
motion was declared carried
The Measure Delayed.
The effect is TO hold the la Toilette bin
back until the Interstate Commerce Com
mission can be communicated with and
their reply received. It is possible that the
commission viii be able to make a reply
before the committee holds its next meet
ing which viii be next Tuesday. There
is hardly "a doubt that the commission
viii approve the bin.
Senator La Toilette is credited with a
desire TO get his bin before the Senate if
possible this session. and test the opinion
Of that body on the proposition involved
He urged the idea OF valuations OF rail-
road property all through the rate debate
and also continued il while featuring on
the Chautauuua platform i'm the summer
recess to advocate the same principle.
The bill directs the commission to ascer-
tain the fair value OF the property of every
railroad engaged in Interstate commerce.
and authorizes the commission to employ
engineers and experts
The railroads are required 20 give every
aid possible and 20 keep the commission
of every change and improve
ment made. The railroads may contest
the commissions findings and demand
hearing. The commissions valuation may
be thus corrected. after which an order
shall be issued making such corrected val
IatiOn filal