Daily press. [volume] (Newport News, Va.) 1896-current, 1909-12-16
AUTHORITY TO ENFORCE
UNIFORM EQUIPMENT
Bitter Debate over Panama Canal
Bill. Several Republicans Object
inc a. Proposed Abolition OF
iethnian Commission - Harrison
Says Roosevelt Played Dictator.
(By Associated Press.)

WASHINGTON. ID. c.. Dec. 10
Sitting until after nightfall the house
buckled down 30 business today. pass
ed the Esch bill requiring railroads
to make full monthly reports to the
Interstate Commerce Commission OF
all accidents and measure giving
the commission power 70 ccmpei raw
roads to provide uniform equipment
for their cars. and then took up Tor
the Mann Panama canal
hill. en- which general debate was
concluded before adjournment.
Considerable opposition developed
to section four CT the Esch Dill,
pro hibiting the admission as evidence
or the use In any action for damages
of the reports of the Interstate Com
merce Commission or evidence CT
accidents providing fer IN the meas
ure.
Amendments Defeated.
Chairman Mann urgea that il be
allowed TO remain In the bill unameni-
ed In order to encourage railroad
companies to give the commission the
benefit CT their fullest Information OF
accidents.
Several amendments calculated 10
modify or destroy the section were
defeated. The bill becomes effective
immediately
When the Panama canal bin was
reported by the committee on inter
state and foreign commerce. the house
immediately resolved itself into the
committee of the whole fer its con
sideration.
Its author Representative Mann, IL
linois, explained its provisions. AFTER
which general debate was begun.
Adjustment OF Commission.
The adjustment of the isthmian
canal commission and the centraiiza-
ton Of responsibility and authority
for the construction of the canal ana
the government of the canal zone
under the President. as q director
general. were bitterly opposed by sew
eral Republicans. Il was contended
that congress had no power to dele
gate legislative CT judicial authority
TO the President and Representative
Harrison. New York, charged thai
President Roosevelt had assumed the
role of dictator and used authority
on the canal zcne he did not possess
Representative Olmsted, Pennsyl-
vanIa- rushed to the ex-preSident
defense and insisted that Mr.. Roose-
welt had not exceeded his author
sty.
Mr.. Mann also declared that in acts
OF congress and in the treaty be-
tween the United States and Panama
could be found justification Tor MI
Roosevelts actions.
judiciary Feature Criticised.
The section of the bill relating &c
the Judicial power on the zone. which
as amended by the committee con
fers that power in one Circuit Ccur'
and such inferior courts as the PTesi'
lcent may constitute also was the OBJ.
1ect Of attack.
Repres entative Sterling, Illinois. en-
deav0red t. show that there was wort
enough Ger the three circuit judges
now on the zone and Representative
Parker. New Jersey, chairman OF the
judiciary c, mmittee. said he did no.
spprove. OF that section OF the bill a
UT had Been amended by the commit
tee
Before the house rose from the
committee OF the whole, the readins
Of the bin had begun with the under
standing that IL would be taken NJ
iagaiu coon after the holiday recess
The house adjourned at 5:25 o'clocs
until tomorrow.