Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1909-03-26


that the bill pass to be engrossed at the
present time, as amended, and would like
to explain the amendments, one of which
is by inserting the words land any
change" and the words land their fami-
lies" and also the travelling secretary OF
the Y NJ. C. Al who use the railroads of
the common carriers coed deal.
Mr. Staples of Knox thereupon moved
that, pending the adoption of the amend
ment, the bill with the amendment be ia
bled.
Mr.. WHEELER of Cumberland Mr..
President l understand that motion to
table is not debatable, but in view of the
congested condition of the calendar it
seems to me that we ought to dispose of
as many matters as possible at the pres
ent time, and I hope that the motion
will not prevail.
Mr.. STAPLES: In view of the state
ment of the senator from Cumberland
will withdraw my motion.
Mr.. WHEELER: Mr.. President, my
colleague. the senator from Cumberland.
Mr.. Baxter, has explained that this bill is
patterned after the Interstate Commerce
Law. Anyone who has examined that
law will see that this bill is very much
more drastic in it's provisions than the
Interstate Commerce Law, and more
drastic, l believe, than any that has been
adopted by any state in this Union. 1
have before me the provisions of the In
terstate Commerce Law, and the bill I'M
der discussion copies the Interstate Com
merce Law TO very limited extent only.
The Interstate Commerce Law provides
that
mo common carrier subject to the pro-
visions of this act shall, after January
first, nineteen hundred and seven, direct
ly or indirectly, issue or give any inter
state free ticket, free pass, or free trans
portation for passengers, except to its
employees and their families, it's officers
agents. surgeons, physicians, and attor-
neys at law; to ministers of religion, tray
cling secretaries of Railroad Young Mems
Christian Associations, inmates of hospi-
tails and charitable and eleemosynary in
stitutions, and persons exclusively engag-
ed in charitable and eleemosy nary work;
to INDECENT, destitute, and homeless per-
sons, and to such persons when trans
ported by charitable societies or hospitals,
and the necessary agents employed in
such transportation; to inmates of the
National Homes or State Homes for Dis
abled Volunteer Soldiers, and of Sol
diers' and Sailors Homes, including those
about to enter and those returning home
after discharge and boaru of managers of
such Homes; to necessary care takers
of live stock, poultry, and fruit; to en-
ployes on sleeping cars; express cars, and
to linemen of telegraph and telephone
ployes. postoffice inspectors, customs in
spectors, and immigration inspectors; to
newsboys on trains, baggage agents, wit
nesses attending any legal investigation
in which the common carrier is interest
ed, persons injured in wrecks and ply
scians and nurses attending such per-
sons
There are also included superannuated
employees of the company. The larger part
of this list is omitted from the bill un-
der discussion, this bill practically limit
ing transportation to officers, employees,
attorneys of the road and their families,
and the amendment offered would include
will the senator from Cumberland re-
mind me of the scope of the amendment?
Mr.. BAXTER of Cumberland: / would
answer the senator by saying that is uses
the word, or charity" / think the term
charity" is n very broad term and would
cover every thing the senator has men,
toned.
Mr. WHEELER Of Cumberland: 1t
may be. Mr. President, that the term
is broad enough to cover all that the
Interstate Commerce Act provides; but
it seems to me that there is good
Of ~ oh
the Interpretation Of the court to de-
tcrmne whether the bill would include
all this Legislature would desire it
should include or not.
This bill. rs / have suggested, is ex-
tremely drastic: and it seems to me
it is an unreasonable and unnecessary
interference by the State in the ordi-
nary and proper management of the
railroads of the State by their own
directors and officials l know of no
call for the passage of this bill. The
Legislature has already very properly
forbidden the granting of free trans
portatOn to any state official. This
has carried it further, and has made
it apply to any county or federal Of
fetal and l believe the Legislature
may safely stop there. I understand
that when this bill was before the
committee, no one appeared in it's sup
port, or against it. 1t is q matter in
which the public has shown no in
tercst: anl | believe there is 10 rub.
lie eXieency and no public necessity
Which calls for the passage of such a
| dill at this time; and l hope that the
motion of the senator from Cumber-
land, that this bill have a passage,
will be voted down.
Mr.. STAPLES of Knox: May | ask
| the senator if this bill would apply to
| an official who has worked all his life
| time upon q railroad and who has re-
| signed and to whom the railroads might
| give a pass"
| Mr.. WHEELER: l understand, that
under the bill which is pending, the
railroad would have no authority or
right to grant a pass to an employee
| AFTER his service to the company had
| been terminated.
The PRESIDENTS: The pending
question is upon the motion of the
senator from Cumberland. Mr. Baxter,
that this bill receive it's second reading