Omaha daily bee., 1907-03-14

ID. J. Kilien Of Gage.
+. Q. Wilson Of Custer.
T. q. Hsmsr Of Buffalo.
J. o. Kin OF Chase.
(From a Stan Correspondent.)
LINCOLN, March 1s.-(speoial. 1.-THE sec
ond round in the terminal tax fght-this
time in the house-proved practically a
draw, but Il served to smoke out few OF
the republican regulators whose subser-
vlenoy to the railroads is potent enough
to get them TO 80 back on the platform
pledges on which they were elected. The
republican members OF the house whose
names are given above went far enough
to put themselves plainly on record against
the platform pledge, even though they had
subscribed to II with their own signatures.
There are doubtless some others who have
succumbed to the Establishments Of the rail-
road lobby. but who are stnl under the
kindly cover of a nonrecorded vote. With
fourteen absentees the motion to stave on
showdown, made on behalf OF the rail-
roads by McMullen, carried by a to a.
margin OF only two-and the railroads
will have more time to put the screws on
weak-kn or vulnerable republicans and
rope In the recalcitrant fusionists.
Railroads want Time.
Just before the session began Edison Rich,
who is here doing lobby work for the
Union Pacific, declared they had 81 sure
votes against the terminal tax bill. but the
railroads were evidently uncertain of their
hold upon men who might break promises
to them as easily as they would break
| promises made to their constituents during
the campaign, The railroad lobby wanted
more time to get in its work-especially
on the minority members, to whom they
| - ,,Ia aVs~f1,
arguments They are telling the fusonists
through subsidized agents that the ter
minal tax proposition is purely republic
can measure which they should make the
republicans shoulder; that 1t was part OF
| the program that resulted In the election OF
a republican United States senator and
they should therefore refuse to lndorse
it, that II the republicans fall down in re-
deeming their platform pledges, It will be
grist for the demo-pop mill and help pave
the way for a fusion victory at the polls
at the next presidential election, which
may place Nebraska in the democratic col
umn. All this is having some effect not
withstapding that most of the fusion mem
bers are honestly IN favor of terminal tax
alton and against being tied up in bag
for the relief OF the railroads
| Another thing noticeable in all the talks
drilled by the professional lobbyists to
make is that they harped upon the theme
OF "The Omaha Sponge" pamphlet put out
over the names of Tax Commissioner
Pollard OF the Burlington and Tax Agent
Scribner of the Union Pacific, and sought
to fan the flames Of prejudice OF the state
,against Omaha, reckless of consequences.
Omaha was pictured in Iurid oolors as q
thief seeking TO rob poor "shoestring
towns" which the generous railroads were
trying to help. "If this is a reform move
ment," exclaimed Killen of Gage, 1T is
one of greed for the sole benefit OF
Omaha"
At which all the railroad contingent who
live in Omaha and who. when at homo.
profess their devotion to Omaha's interests.
loudly applauded.
Lobbyists I'm Evidence.
with railroad lobbyists scattered through
the gallery. corridor and even upon the door
of the house, encouraging and watching
their henchmen, the house devoted the en-
tire afternoon TO a discussion OF the Clarke
terminal tax bill and adjourned without
taking action, the motion by McMullen
for the committee to arise and report
progress being carried by a vote of q to a.
fourteen members being absent. The do
bate turned upon a motion by Wilson OF
Custer, which was sprung before the clerk
had finished reading section Of the BILL
10 strike out the enacting clause. Hamer
Of Buffalo seconded the motion, At this
time Union Pacific Attorney Edison Rich,
Union Pacific Tax Commissioner scribner
ana Burlington Tax Commissioner Pollard
were occupying seats in the gallery, as was
Bob McGinnis, who, when the debate
warmed up, transferred his position TO the
house lobby. where he could better OBJ
serve his stage hands. Working on the
floor OF the house were II. H. Wilson OF
Lincoln, ]. A. Douglas OF Bassett, the
Northwestern Union Pacific candidate for
speaker two years ago. and other lesser
lights, while Judge f. G. Hamer hung over
the railing 20 see his son, Tom Hamsg.
deliver the goods TO the railroads. Those
who argued for the railroad end OF the
string were Hamer OF Buffalo, Wilson OF
Custer, Killen Of Gage. while McMullen
chimed in Just as the debate was about
completed and moved Cor the committee
10 arise and report progress. For the bill
were Clarke OF Douglas. Jenison OF Clay
and Harrison Of otoe, while Speaker Net
tieton objected 20 the committee arising.
Clarke Describes Bill.
In beginning his talk Clarke, with con-
siderable heat. informed the house he had
expected such motion from man like
Wilson. the right hand man OF Frank
Young" and he expected Il to be seconded
by the gentleman from Bunalo. He then
launched into a discussion Of the merits Of
the bin showing by figures how the rail-
roads escape paying taxes for city and vii
lage purposes and how, should the bill be-
come a law, II would not affect the valua-
tion Of railroad property made by the state
toara ZOE ofher nurnoaeE He read an ongn
ion from Judge Roscoe Pound saying the
bin was constitutional and would not take
from the state, county and school districts
any railroad valuation and he quoted the
governor. the secretary OF state and othor
members OF the State Board OF Equaliza-
tion 20 the same effect He cited similar
| IIn-ra ruhlch had han anactad In nfhar atafnn