Omaha daily bee., 1907-02-19
CAUCUS TAKES no ACTION
Sentiment, However Favors the Passage Of
Tuo-Ceut Fare Bill.
LIKELY TO GO THROUGH UNCHANGED
Meeting Opens n Lively Debate a. tn
Whether the Caucus should
he an Open or Closed
One.
lFnm ! 80 corrsspondent.l

LINCOLN. Fen. ESPECIAL Telegram. -
The republicans u the legislature met in
open caucus tonight TO cunsiier action on
the party pledges. and after a free for all
debate IN the 2-cent rate bill adjourned
without agreeing upon any concerted ac-
ton. though the sentiment for the Hat
2-cent rate without the Ned Brown amend
ment was clearly the sentiment Of the ma
iority. and even those who favored the
amendment believe the bill viii be recon-
mended for passage tomorrow without a
single change in II. This amendment pro-
vides the state railway commission shall
have the power to increase the rate on any
railruad which shows the rate is not com
pensatnry-. This amendment was endorsed
ny Speaker Nettleton. Ned Brown Barnes
Lee. Harvey and Gliem. while those who
opposed the amendment in their talks were
Fa-.ey. Lahners. Eiler. Raper Rsnkei.
Thiessen. CuidiCe. Walsh. Springer and
Senator Wiltse, who was invited to speak
senator Wilsey OF Frontier who was also
invited to say something. said the repub-
lcans were too close together for even an
argument on the question.
The entire republican membership favored
2-cent rate and the only difference was
how to get IL with a law which would hold
water. Those VINO favored the amendment
argued that II saved the law because Il one
road could not stand the 2-cent rate the
commission could lower ii and the law
would still apply TO the other roads Those
who were opposed believed the railroads
could not make such showing; that even
II the law were knocked out the railway
commissioners could then make the rates
and therefore the amendment was nuT
necessary.
Debate on Open Caucus.
The caucus was open. but not open until
a big dght had been pulled on. in which
many members took part, some favoring
anu some opposing talking before others
than republican members This was pre-
cipitated when keifer moved thar those
not members be excluded from the room
MCMullen objected and said he favored an
open caucus because that precedent had
been established at the organization Of the
house and because the house today had
passed bill compelling the university re-
gents TO hold open meetings. Knowles ami
KIllen both spoke for the open meeting
and Dodge got the fiOor. The member from
Douglas said: We are meeting to see
whether the democrats are running the
house or whether A few republicans shall
Join with the newspapers to run it He
opposed a caucus at which were present
democrats. newspaper reporters and lobby
ists"
L.ahners was for the open caucus as was
Speaker NettIston and Best. while Clarke
and Noyes were for the clOSed meeting.
The vote was &c for the open caucus and
a for a closed meeting. Clarke then moved
to exclude all but accredited newspaper
reporters and this was lost and followed
BY a motion by Lee for adjournment, which
was also lost. The meeting came TO an end
when Walsh moved that the republicans
OF The house agree To pass all the bills
from joint committees covering party
pledges without amendments and let the
senate discuss them. Someone moved 20
adjourn and the Walsh motion was never
put.
Harrison of Otue presided at the caucus
and Hart Of York was secretary. Among
the onlookers were Chairman Allen of the
democratic state committee and a number
N his democratic friends. A. ". Scrihuer
nf the Union Pacific. former state Treas
urer Peter AIorrensen and others.
Former State TREASURER Peter Mortensen
came in from ora tonight to spend tomor-
now visiting among the legislators Mr
Murtenssn Is an advocate OF the iat e-cent
rate bill and he believes its passage viii he
appreciated by the people OF the state gen
rally.
T hope the rate VIII apply % the
branch Ines said Mr. Mortensen. be
cause we have such poor service. we IN
truth should he paid TO ride on the trains
The people along the big lines can afford 70
pay higher than we on the branch roads -
Mr.. Morrensen is I'm favor OF some Of the
bills which have been introduced affecting
the university and very much opposed 70
some others affecting that institution
Inasmuch as he has had considerable sx-
DerienCe with the finances n the school. HIS
ideas OF how the money should be paid
out arr expected To have much weight with
the committees looking after this class OF
Legislation Ee probably VIII go before the
COMMITTEES