Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1910-05-14
COMPROMISE AMENDMENT.


welding late today of supposedly ir-
reconcilable factions, the Senate, by
a vote of Sc to 10, adopted a compro-
Imise amendment to the railroad bill for
the regulation of relative charges for
long and short hauls. The agreement
was reached chiefly for the reason that
each faction apparently thought it was
getting the better of q shrewdly driven
lbargain. There are not wanting to-
night senator's who suggest that the
supreme court may have to arbitrate
the question as to which factions
Judgment is right.
Before adjournment Bacon sought to
| show that Aldrich, leader of the forces
in charge of the bill, voted for pro-
vision different from that which he adj
vocated during the long debate on this
question. He was affecting to quote
from one of the Rhode Island sena-
tors speeches when Senator Bailey in
terrupted, remarking that Bacon was
mistaken and was quoting from his
(Bailcy's) remarks Il hope the sem
ator from Texas will not interfere, "
said Aldrch laughingly The senator
is trying to justify his action in v"t-
ing with me-
That is the time / usually have to
justify my vote" retorted Bacon.
While upbraiding regular Republic
cans for what he asserted was a
change of front, Bacon was interrupt
ed by Elkns, whose rudy face was
wreathed in smiles as he asked: We'll,
you're happy. aren't you?'
This raillery plainly irritated the
Georgia senator. for he retorted rather
sharply that it took "A very little thing
to make people happy"
Maybe the senator will find that it
is a big thing" said Elkins, beaming
across the chamber
| Significant glanceS passed between
senate and persons on the floor and
in the galleries began to suspect the
compromise amendment that had just
been adopted meant something differ
ent than appeared on it's face.
| AS adopted, the new provision strikes
out of Section of the interstate com
merce law the words under substantially
lsimilar circumstances and conditions" and
lalso eliminates the proviso of that sec
ton and amends the section so as to
make it read as follows:
Section 4. Provided that 1t shall be
to the provisions of this act to charge
or receive any greater compensation in
the aggregate for the transportation OF
passengers. or of like kind OF property
for a shorter than for a longer distance
lover the same line or route in the same
direction the shorter being included With
in the longer distance, or to charge any
greater compensation as through route
than the aggregate of the local rates
but this shall not be construed as author
izing any common carrier within the
terms of this act to charge or to receive
as great compensation for shorter as
for longer distance:
provided, however, that the Interstate
Commerce Commission may from its
knowledge or from information or upon
application ascertain that the circum-
stances and conditions of the longer haul
are dissimilar to the circumstances and
, conditions of the shorter haul, whether
they result from competition 10y water OF
by rail, then it may authorize a common
carrier to charge less for the longer than
for the shorter distances for the trans
portation of property or passengers But
in no event shall the authority be granted
unless the commission is satisfied that all
of the rates involved are just and rea-
sonable and not unjusty discriminatory
nor unduly preferential or prejudcal.
: "And provided further. that no rates OF
charges lawfully existing at the time OF
the passage of this amendatory act shall
be required to be changed by reason OF
the provisions of this section prior to
the expiration of six months after the
of hic at ;,,n OH
application shall have been filed before
the commission, in accordance with the
provisions of this section. until a deter
mnaton of such application by the com
mission"
OF the sc votes in favor of the
amendment. - were by Republican
senators who have opposed the inser'
ton of any long land short haul pro-
vision in the railroad bill; 10 by Demo
Gratis and the remainder by Republi-
cans. chiefly insurgents"
The negative vote was equally divid-
ed between Republicans and Demo
. Gratis.
The Senate proceeded today under {
unanimous consent agreement reached
yesterday to begin voting at O'CLOCK
I upon the long and short haul amend
! ments, of which a dozen or more hat
. been submitted. The pending amend
: ment was one by Hepburn of Idaho. fo
: which Dixon of Montana had present
. ed substitute. The effect of this wa'
to give the Montana senator possession
g of the floor when o'clock arrived.
For several days the Regular" Re
publicans had been boasting that the!
4 had a clear majority to defeat all o
the long and short haul amendments.
The regulars had been assured Of ;
number of Democratic votes. Just be
Y CONTINUED on Page Twelve).