The Washington times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1902-1939, 1909-09-22
Same General Issues to Come
Up-Made Apparent
In Speech.
FIGHT WILL COME
AMONG SENATORS
Presidents Progressive Program
Will Be Given Strong Sup
port-Aldrich Will Aid.
By ]. C. wELLIvER.


which began Just three years earlier, in
December. 1906.
President Taft's Des MOines speech
makes apparent that the same general
issue will be uppermost in the legisla-
tive mind; the amendment Of the inter
state commerce law. As in the session
three years earlier. the real business
will be done in the Senate. The bill at
that time nOminally originated in the
House. This time # Is not even certain
that the House will have so much 10 do
with Il. In any event. the real formu-
lation Of It. the real consideration, the
telling debate, will take place in the
Senate: and IL a bill finally shall pass.
it viii be the one made by the Senate.
It is therefore peculiarly timely to
consider how the Senate is likely to line
up on the program which President Taft
outlined at Des Moines, or on any meas
ure which may be developed from his
suggestions. The President proposes to
take some OF the logical forward steps
which were conceded to be in order
when the law of three years ago should
have been fairly tested There will be
decided differences of opinion among
those who favor progression, whether
the President has proposed the right
moves; and the business Of the session
will be 20 work out a measure which
may command the support Of a major
ity.
Chances for Success.
What are the Presidents chances to
carry a majority OF the Senate with
him.? II might seem easy to answer
this question, in view Of the fact that II
Is only three years since. with only two
votes in the negative, the Senate pass
Cd the Hepburn bill But It is well
known that the Senate was very closely
divided in actual sentiment, and the con-
servative were strong enough to force
the broad court review into the meas
ure. President Taft is now demanding
the narrow court review. and the test
on this seems likely to be one Of the
most important during the consideration
OF his proposed changes in the law.
How rapidly changes take place in the
personnel of such a body as the Senate,
is indicated by the statement that more
than one-third OF the men who are now
Senators were not members Of that body
when IL voted on the Hepburn act. To
be accurate, of the ninety-two present
members of the upper body. thirty-four
have become such since that bill passed
Twenty-one Of these are Republicans,
thirteen Democrats.
In a general way Il can be said that
almost all the Democrats must be
placed on the side OF progressive legis-
lation of this kind. Some Of them Will
be credited with doubtful sincerity, but
IL is doubtful II there is a Democrat
now in the Senate who will vote against
a measure, which when perfected. will
commend itself TO such Republicans al
Cummins. DoliiveT, La Toilette, Nelson
Clapp and Beveridge. These men will
all be advocates OF such legislation.
though they will have made disagree
rlents among themselves about its de-
tails. They viii be the bell-wethers OF
the lock. Those who go with them will
be classed as progressives. those who
oppose them, as the conservatives or the
tories.
Majority Favorable.
4 study Of TIE present personnel OF
the Senate justifes the expectation tina.
in an honest division. there would be a
small majority in favor Of progressive
railroad legislation. provided It were not
too progressive. Senator Cummins will
urge a provision directing the interstate
commission 10 make a schedule Of rea-
sonable rates for the entire country.
That may prove too progressive. 1t is
already being attacked as physical I'M
possibility. though the Iowan will have
some interesting evidence that IL is not
only possible, but rather a simple task.
All railroad and internal waterway
rates I'm Great Britain are so made, and
the task was not found 20 be even a
very great one. Of making the original
schedule.
Senator La Toilette will press his
proposition for 4 valuation Of the rail-
roads; and this. likewise, may prove
too progressive 20 command majority.
IL IS observed with some interest that
President Taft, though in his campaigu
speeches year ago he tentatively adj
mitted that he light favor such "A
measure did not mention il in his Des
MOines address. The interstate com
mission IS more strongly in favor of il
than ever before.
A recent analysis Of the Senate. made
with a view 10 determining how III
would stand on an Administration prom
ositieB designed substantially 10
strengthen the Federal arm In handling
interstate commerce, enumerated hfty-
four affirmative and thirty-eight mega
tive Senator's
The List.
In favor OF a progressive Administra-
ton biIl-Cullom, Nelson. Beverage,
McCumber. Dolliver. Clapp. Gamble.
Burkett La Toilette, Warner, Curtis.
Smith Of Michigan. Borah. Bourne.
Brown. Dixon, Cummfns, Brlstow.
Crawford. Johnson. Jones-all RepubIi-
cans: total. twenty-one.
Daniel, Bailey. Martin. Tnlman, Clay,
McEnery, Money. Culberson, Taliaferro,
Bailey, Foster, McLsurin, Simmons.
Clarke, Newlands, Overman. Stone.
Rayner, Frazier. Davis, Paynter. Tay-
Tor. BankhaPd. Johnston. Gore. owen.
Smith OF Maryland, Chamberlain,
Fletcher. Hughes. Shively, Smith-all
Democrats: total. thirty-two. Grand to-
tai, fifty-three in favor Of legislation.
Opposed 10 a progressive bill-Hale.
Frye. Aldrich. Gallinger. Lodge, Per-
kins. Burrows, Clark, Warren. Elkns.
Penrose. Depew. Kean. Scott, Duling-
ham, Burnham. Hepburn. Smoot, Dick,
Crane, Buckley, Carter. Flint. Nixon.
Piles. Sutherland. Brandegee. du Pont,
Briggs, Guggenheim, Richardson
Stephenson, Wetmore, Page, Burton,
Root. Oliver. LOrimer; total, thirty
eight all Republicans.
Not nearly all the men who I'm the
foregoing list are placed in favor Of
such legislation. would really want IL
10 pass; many would vote for FL as a
Tucs sure to conserve their DOlitica
health. These cannot ne counted the
reliable and useful friends. in the pre-
liminaTy stages. They Will give rec
ord support" rather than sentimental