Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1909-01-06
Senate Committee Reports
Adversely on Rate Measure.
FORAKER'S DECIDING VOTE
Report Authorized if Ohioan Desired
It That Way.
NO POLL OF OTHER ABsENTEEs
Chairman Elkins Not Authorized to
Obtain the Opinions of
Clapp and McLaurin.

Senator F'ulton's bill to prohibit a rail-
road from enforcing an increased rate
pending the determination Of a protest by
shippers was adversely reported to the
Senate today by Senator Elkins.
In accordance with an agreement
reached in the committee on interstate
commerce today Senator Foraker, who
had been absent. was authorized to sign
the report against the bill and thus
tie was broken.
After two tie votes had been cast in a
specially called meeting of the Senate COM
mittee Chairman Eikins was authorized
today to report adversely the bill, in the
| event that Senator Foraker, who was ao-
sent, should oppose the measure.
| Members of the committee who support
| the bill apparently have overlooked the
fact that there are senators absent who
were likely to vote to report the bill
| favorably.
When the meeting was called to order
there were present Senators Elkins, AL
drich, Kean, Dolliver, Crane, Tillman,
Foster, Newlands and Taylor.
Motion and Substitute.
| Mr. Aldrich moved that the bill be re-
ported adversely. Mr.. Newlands moved as
| a substitute that the bill be reported
| favorably, with an amendment which
| would leave to the discretion Of the
interstate commerce commission the ques-
| ton whether protest against proposed
| increase of rates should operate as q
stay until the reasonableness of such in
crease had been determined.
| On Mr.. Newlands' motion to report the
| bill favorably the ayes were Deliver
| Tillman, Newlands and Taylor. and thu
| noes were Elkins, Aldrich, Kean ant
Crane. Mr.. Foster was excused from
voting. AS the vote was tie, the motion
was lost.
| A vote was then had on Mr. Aldrch's
motion to report the bill adversely. The
| chairman voted Senator Cullom by prox,
in favor of the motion. AS Mr.. Foster
| voted against the motion, a second III
vote resulted.
| A statement was made by Senator Ell
| kins that Senator Foraker was opposed
| to the measure. He was authorized to OBJ
tain the latter's vote and make a report
| to the Senate accordingly.
| No mention was made of the fact tina,
| Senators Clapp and McLaurin also were
absent. The chairman was not authorized
| to obtain their votes. What the result
will be If these senators also insist upor
voting is not known.
| Provisions Of Measure.
| The Fulton bill was introduced on the
| first day of the session of Congress
year ago. Its author constantly has urged
| it's passage.
1t provides that no change shall bt
made in rates except after thirty days
notice to the interstate commerce com
mission unless the commission, for gooc
cause shown, allows changes upon less
notice In the event of objection aga1ns
a proposed increase of rates any shipper
l., ohorn f ShinnprG
the commission a protest which sinai
operate to continue existing rates unit
1.-THE reasonableness of the increase shai
have been determined by the commits
sion. Railroads are prohibited from re
, ceiving any compensation for passenger
or freight transportation other thai
that stated in posted schedules
The penalty for violations of the pro
visions of the bill is a fine of not les!
than 81 900 nor more than $4,000 Tor eacf
offense. The same penalty is made Il
, apply to the receiving or granting OF re
bates in any form