Ottumwa tri-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1903-1916, 1910-05-28
TAFT RfSENTS
CRITICISM OF
OEMOC RATS
PRESIDENT REFERS TO DEBATE
IN HOUSE REGARDING TRAVEL
ING EXPENSES; RAIL BILL is
NEAR PASSAGE.

Washington, D. c., May 27-Presl-
dent Taft today sent to Chairman
Tawney Of the house committee on
appropriations letter expressing his
deep resentment at the criticisms
passed by the Democrats in the debate
yesterday upon the travelling expenses
of the president. The president says
he is especially distressed by the
Suggested reflection on southern hos
pitality."
The fact that the president already
had overdrawn his allowance of $685.
600 year voted by congress, led to
an acrimonious debate in the house
and to the refusal to permit him to
use his next years allowance to meet
the deficiency.
It was the western and southern
trip made by President Taft last fall
that exhausted the fund.
President Taft, Tawney in charge of
the bill explained, had made the trip
at the invitation of senators, govern
ors Of states and civic organizations.
An acrimonious debate, in which the
southern Democrats were chidcd for
inhospitality was precipiated.
Through the victory of the regular
Republicans in the senate in defeating
number Of amendments offered by
Senator Cummins and other 'insur-
gent Republicans and Democrats,
the way was paved for an early vote
on the administration railroad bill.
1t is expected that this will come be-
fore the day ends. The senate will
then adjourn over until Monday, when
the statehood bill probably will be
made the unfinished business. y
i The Irregular" Republicans main
tanned firm hold upon the situation
during several votes on important fea-
lures, notwithstanding the fact that
the insurgents" and Democrats unit
ed their votes on several occasions.
More was accomplished during the
closing hours Of the session than in
any one week during the three months
the bill has been the pending bust
ness.
c&-rnins Loses, 43 to 2e.
Not until O'Clock was anything
done beyond listening to discussion Of
the measure, but when at that time
Senator LaFollette concluded his two
days. speech in opposition to the bill,
the voting proceeded rapidly, with the
following results:
1. The Cummins amendment requir-
ing the approval Of the interstate COM
merce commission Of all increases In
railroad rates before they become ef-
fective, was voted down, 20 to 43.
2. The Martin amendment, requiring
the commission to reach q final decis-
ion on increases within six months,
was defeated, 18 to 81.
8. An amendment by Mr.. Clarke Of
Arkansas to defer increased rates un-
til passed upon by the commission,
but putting them into effect after six
months, pending final decision, was
rejected, 35 to 40.
Roads Get Six Months Time.
4. An amendment composed Of
propositions by Senators Jones and
Paynter, was accepted. This provision
provides for the extension for period
Of six months of the 120 day suspen-
sion Of new rates and regulations for
the hearing as to their reasonableness
is not concluded within that time and
for the refunding of the difference be-
tween rates If the new rate is found
to be unreasonable This amendment
was adopted unanimously.
S. An amendment by Senator Hughes
striking out the capitalization prov1s-
ions of the bill also was adopted with
practical unanim1ty, Senator Burton
casting the only negative vote.
The original suggestion Of Mr.. Jones
merely provided for an extension Of
the suspension of the 120 day period
already allowed by the bill, for inves-
legations of new rates by the inter-
state commerce commission. It goes
into the bill as proviso and reads as
follows:
"That if any such hearing cannot be
concluded within the period Of suspen-
sion, the interstate commerce COM
mission may, in Its discretion, extend
the time of suspension for a further
period, not exceeding six months"
The addition made at the suggestion
of Mr.. Paynter provides that:
''If the increased rate is found to be
unreasonable, the carrier shall refund
to the party paying it. the difference
between that and the rate as it exist
ed before the increase, and shall do so
one the presentation Of the bill Of lad
ing receipt or expense bill at it's office
where the freight charges were made"
OF twenty-nine votes favorable to
the amendment, twelve were cast by
"insurgent" Republicans as follows;
|Beveridge, Borah, Bourne, Brfstow,
Burkett. Clapp, Crawford, Cummins,
Dixon, Dolliver, Gamble and LaFol-
lette Only four Democrats, Bailey, Nc
Emery, Smith of Maryland and Taylor,
cd for. the nrnvisiOn