Omaha daily bee., 1910-03-17
Iowan Brings from Aldrich Admission
that Bill Can be Altered.
TAFT's NAME USED RECKLEssLY
President Figures in Case and Action
-,s- is Defended by Root.
PLAN TO FAVOR THE RAILROADS
Chief Executive Quoted ne FavOrinR q
Traffic Agreement by Roads IL
Approved by Interstate Com
merce Commission.

ate on the administration railroad bill,
or on this subject in previous sessions,
bitter criticism Of the action of sup
porters of the bill in trying to put the
measure through without amendment
ELECTED from Senator Aldrich an admis-
sion that the bill could be amended.
This statement was made during the
second day of Senator Cummins' speech
attacking the BILL but not until after
friends o Hthemeasure had been accused
ftrying TO hide behind the president
and the fact that it had been drafted at
his direction.
Presidents Name Used Freely.
For more than two hours the president
figured in the discussion and for time
his title, If not his name, was banded
about with a freedom that amounted
almost to recllsssness. In this portion
of the debate Senators Aldrich. Bailey,
Cummins, Root, Tlkins and Bacon fig
ured conspicuously.
Senator Cummins contended that the
provision referring to traffic agreement
would render them legal without their
submission to the commission, He as
serted there had been conspicuous silence
in the committee on this subject and
thereupon Mr.. Crawford turned to Sem
committee on Interstate commerce, and
questioned him as to his Interpretation
of the meaning O fthe provision.
tt The whole truth" interrupted Mr..
Bailey, before Mr. Aldrich could reply, 'is
that the intention Of the provision for the
repeal Of the antitrust law is to reverse
the supreme court of the United States.
The effect and purpose lis to take the
raf no
RaIlrOads' Part Questioned.
Mr. Aldrich ref,ited the animation Of the
Texas senator and from the colloauy arose
a general discussion as to whether 1t had
been the original intention to include the
railroads in the original Sherman anti
trust bill. during which Mr. Aldrich said
that no senator who had voted for It had
the slightest idea that the railroad were
embraced within its terms.
But all the same you are now trying
to make them of it," he reiterated.
II beg your pardon" responded Mr.. AID
rich but that is not true. The senator
from Texas is mistaken as to the purpose
of the proposed law, as is the senator from
Iowa.
Mr. Cummins would not admit that he
could be mistaken, for he declared the
purpose OF the law was written broadly
on IT'S face. There could be no doubt 1t
repealed the law regarding traffic agree
ments, he said
Hint at Wholesale violation.
Senator Elklns undertook to refute this
contention by reading the provision re-
sarding the agreements and in so doing
broadly asserted that everyone must know
he f-afI de utn ha
This assertion was challenged by several
senator's, but the West Virginia senator
held to his position and asked, Now
why embarrass the railroadsH'
True, true" responded Mr.. Cummins
half under his breath.
Mr.. Elkins contended that even though
agreements were authorized by the pending
bill the commission still would have con-
troll of rates, and even more comprehensive
control than under the present law.
1t rs not the agreement that is powerful" "
he said, but the rate and so long as the
commission controls the rates it is in COM
mand Of the situation"
Mr.. Aldrich referred to a supposed al
lance between the "insurgent' republicans
and the democrats and then after brief
protest from Mr.. Cupmins over this method
of presenting the matter, the Rhode Island
senator declared It to be his opinion that
no schedule Of the roads, whether under
agreement or not could go into effect with
out the approval of the commission.
IF that is not made clear in the bill
am perfectly willing to have it made So"
said Mr.. Aldrich.
Cummins Makes Suggestion.
Responding to this statement Mr.. Cum
minis declared the only way to remedy the
defect was to withdraw the repeating pro-
vision. To this suggestion and others Mr..
Aldrich responded that he. had found him
self in such disagreement with Mr. Cum
Minis that it had been impossible in com
(Continued on secnnd ParnN