The Washington herald. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1906-1939, 1910-05-26

senator La
speech yesterday In support Of the Cum
Minis amendment TO the railway bill,
which would require approval Of changes
in rates by the Interstate Commerce
Commission before they are put INTO
effect by the railroads.
Declaring the railroads have had their
way in legislation for forty years. he
said:
IF Senators listen 10 me, 1 will bring
them 10 a realization Of the fact that
they have the sins OF many Congresses
TO atone for before they pass this BILL
Senator La Toilette said he wished 10
address a part OF his remarks TO Sena-
| tor Elkins. the chairman OF the Inter
state Commerce Committee, but he
added: The Senator does not do me the
honor Of being present
"Oh yes. he does" suggested several
Senators from the Republican side.
HurIs Some Sarcasm.
"Ah. I see he IS on the Democratic
side" was the sarcastic comment Of
Senator La Toilette. 7 don't know what
he is doing over there. I had missed him
from his seat"
Senator La Toilette charged the pend
ing amendment TO the railroad bill, "for
which the Senator from West Virginia
| (Mr Elkins) and the Senator from
/ Rhode Island AIr. Aldrich) are making
such a stubborn fight is wholly in the
! interests Of the railroads"
| Mr.. La Toilette compared the pending
/ bill with the draft OF the bin which was
| prepared and submitted TO the President
In November last, and in this connection
said
II find upon comparison Of section OF
| that bill with section Of this BILL which
relates especially 90 the suspension OF
new rates. that that committee took
| even stronger ground than that proposed
under the pending amendment 1 Quote
this provision as originally drafted and
before II had undergone notifications
weakening il. presumably 10 meet the
wishes Of the railroad presidents who Wis
tied Washington between November 10,
1903, when 10 was so drafted. and Janu-
airy TO- 1910 when it was first introduced
in the Senate. as now pending
Rates Too High.
The Wisconsin Senator contCnded the
| present freight rates are too high and the
pending BIN provides no measure by
which the commission can determine the
reasouablencss Of any rate. lie made an
extended argument III favor OF the valua-
ton OF railroad property Of the country
as basis for freight rates.
commissioners Knapp and Prouty,
whose ideas doubtless prevailed in the
original framing Of that paragraph. Il"
continued Mr.. La Toilette. well under
stood that II IL is sound doctrine that
the railroads should not advance rates
. without investigation and approval by
/ the commission II IS unreasonable 10 pro-
vide that advances should become ef-
fectiye at all before the commission has
passed upon the justice Of the advances.
They well knew the railroads constantly
employed thousands OF expert rate men.
whose sole duty It is. IN the interests Of
stockholders, 20 enlarge the dividends by
Increasing the rates"
It is generally conceded by Republican
leaders in the Senate that a final vote
viii not be taken I'm the Senate before
the middle of next week. Senator la
Toilette viii occupy another day in dis
GUESSING the Cummins amendment
Lorimer May speak To-day.
/ Senator Lorimer. OF Illinois. has a Ions
speech 20 be made to-day or tomorrow
dealing with the charges made against
his election as a Senator. Saturday has
been set apart, under a special order
for eulogies
/ It is possible that a vote may b,
reached in the Senate before the end o.
the week on the Cuumins amendment.
With the disposition Of the Cummin
amendment and the perfection Of section
3 Of the bin, the principal question tina
! will remain viii be the last three sec
/ tions OF the bill relating 20 stocks an,
bonds. There is likely 10 be considerable
debate on these three sections. Senator
b CumminS and Douiver have amendment
P pending to these sections.