The times dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1903-1914, 1910-06-01
Progressive Republicans
Cease Opposition to
Railroad Measure.
STEP FORWARD
IN LEGISLATION
Iowa Senator Declares That Bill
Leaves Much to Be Desired,
but Except in One Feature
He Considers II Desirable.
Other Amendments
Proposed.

Washington, May 31.-On the e.a OF
leaving for Iowa to participatsfsin
the campaign in that State, Senator
Cummins to-day informed the Senate
that as amended the railroad bill would
receive his vote, as 1t would also the
votes OF the progressive Republican
Senator'S who have stood with him in
opposition to the bill as it was pre-
pared by the Attorney-General end
introduced by Senator Elkins in be-
half of the administration.
The statement was made in a brief
speech delivered by himself In support
of an amendment placing upon rlfl-;
road companies the burden of prbof
in hearings on rate increases
This amendment was accepted by
Senator Elkins and became nart
of the bill by general consent, this
constituting the only amendment pre-
sented by the Iowa Senator which
has been accepted BY the Senate. Mr..
Cumnins said that while the bill left
much to he desired he considered git
step forward in railroad Legislation.
He enumerated the various provisions
of the measure, and said that With
the exception of the court of com-
merce sections he considered IL in
every way desirable legislation. Aside
from the adoption of the Cumiains
provision. the action OF the day son-
sisted in the rejection of Senltor
Browns amendment prohibiting the
consolidation of competitive railroads
This amendment went out ON an
adverse vote of 20 10 A.
The principal discussion was iver
the Brown amendment. and Senator
La Follette's amendment requiring the
| Interstate Commerce Commission 10
make a physical valuation of the tall
roads. Previous to the vote on the
Brown provision. speeches were made
in opposition by Senator'S Bailey, clas
and others. sF
Opposed IL; Ia. a..,-
Mr.. Bailey based his oppositioii on
the ground that the regulation of}don-
solidation should be left largeN t,
| the States, and Mr.. Clay on the feas
that il the subject of consideration
was revived, advantage might be taken
Of the fact to replace many of The
| Objectionable features of sections7 anu
| 10 in. the bill.
/, Mr.. La Toilette formally presented
| his physical valuation amendments
which he supported in speech. he
said that such a valuation was abso-
| !utely necessary as a basis for the
| fixing OF rates. The amend ment. he
said, met the approval of the Interstate
| Commerce Commission. and hs pre-.
| dicted that II defeated it would no,
be long until the railroads would be
petitioning for its enactment inio law
The amendment was supported bt
Senator'S Bailey and Borah, and was
| opposed by Senator Elkins. Mr.. Elktns
said that 1t would cost S5,009000 te
Imake such a valuation as was re-
quired. and that by the time it wa:
finished. another would be necessary.
When, late In the day, 1t looked as
| If il would be at least possible to OBJ
| tain vote on this amendment Sena
tor Stone took the floor with the in
/ tention of delivering a set speech OF
| another amendment, which. he said
he intended to Introduce. He refused
to yield the floor for a vote.
The Senate will meet at II O'Clock
| tomorrow.
Rivers aud Harbors Bill.
The report of the conferees on the
| rivers and harbors bill was presented
| in Congress to-day. and was approved
AS finally agreed to, 1t carries appro
priations aggregating s51.s47.71s, a ne
| reduction of $705,500 from the amour
of the bill as it passed the Senate. Al
4 Of the reductions consisted of com
! paratively small appropriations. witt
| the exception Of the 100000 for tn
/ proposed Beaumont-Nechez canal i
Il Texas: s25O,00O for the Green. Rive
.ifdam in kentucky, and $4,000 for tn
1 Improvement Of the Missouri River a
Lake Contrary. all of which wer
Il stricken from the bill.