The Birmingham age-herald. [volume] (Birmingham, Ala.) 1902-1950, 1910-05-28
Senate Springs Surprise by
New Amendment to the
Railroad Bill
LAFO[LETTE PREPARES
WORDING OF AMENDMENT
That All Telephone and Telegraph
Companies Be Governed BY
Commerce Commission

Washington, May 27.--At the last mo-
ment before reaching the point of voting
upon the railroad bill today the Senate
took the important step of adding an
amendment, placing interstate telegraph
and telephone lines under the supervision
of the interstate commerce commission
This action was followed by an effort
to restore portion of section IL, affecting
mergers which has heretofore been voted
out.
Both provisions were introduced so sud-
denly as to surprise the Senate, and the
latter was considered SO important that
rather than vote upon 1t without more
consideration than it was able to give the
Senate took an adjournment until tomor-
row.
The action of the Senate on telegraph
and telephones insures their inclusion In
some form in the proposed law as the
subject is offered in the House bill.
The suggestion for the inclusion of tele-
graph and telephone companies within
the control of the interstate commerce
commission was made by Senator Dixon
of Montana, but ultimately his amend
ment was supplanted by one In simpler
form, which was offered by Senator La
Toilette Of Wisconsin.
The Senate reached the voting stage at
o'clock after an animated debate which
was carried on largely by democrats and
which dealt especially with the question
as to whether the Dolliver amendment,
regulating the stock and bond issues of
railroads, was In accord with the last
democratic platform.
1t had been supposed that action upon
the Dolliver provision would be followed
by votes upon the physical valuation
amendment offered by Mr. LaFoilette and
the national Incorporation amendment of
Senator Newlands. When, therefore, Mr..
Dixon was recognized to present his tee-
graph amendment some surprise was
manifested. The exact language of the
telegraph provision carried by the House
bill was used and it purported to re-enact
the first section of the present interstate
commerce law with telegraph and tele-
phone companies added. 1t covers nine
bill pages and much disapprobation
against voting upon 1T without an oppor-
tunity for examination was expressed.
Even Mr.. Dixon was unable to state
whether the provision was an exact re-
production of the present law, and a num-
ber of senators protested against putting
2 1t to a vote. Several suggestions for ad-
1ournment were made Finally Senator
Brandegee moved to lay the amendment
on the table, but this motion was lost,
@ to 81.
While the discussion and the voting
were in progress Senator LaFollette
busted himself with the preparation of an
amendment which was In form so simple
and direct that senators could have no
difficulty in comprehending It. Mr.. Dix
on indicated a willingness to accept this
provision in place of his own, and 1t went
through without even discussion The
provision as adopted is as follows:
.'That telegraph and telephone COM
panies Except wireless) transactng an
interstate business are hereby placed
Under the supervision and control of the
interstate commerce commission, subject
to the provisions of an act to regulate
commerce, approved February 4, 1857,
which are applicable thereto
The exception of wireless was made at
the suggestion of Senator Hepburn
The result OF this amendment had no
sooner been announced than Mr.. Brown
of Nebraska arose to present his amend
ment, reviving portion of section H. AS
presented his amendment prohibits all
common carriers from acquiring any in
terest whatsoever in the capital stock OF
or purchasing or leasing any railroad
which is competitive with that of the pur-
chasing company. A fine of $500 is fm-
posed for. each days violation OF this pro-
vision. The suggestions of this important
action. following so closely as It did upon
the vote to place telegraph and telephone
companies under the control of the COM
mission, was more than the Senate was
willing to accept without more time for
deliberation Many protests against i'm
n,ediate action were uttered. and when
Senator Bacon moved to adjourn a large
number Of senators acquiesced. BY a ris-
inc vote the Senate decided, 81 to a. to
adjourn. thus postponing action on the
bill and all other amendments.