Omaha daily bee., 1910-05-04
Cummins and Elkins Withdraw Sub.
stitutes and Provision is Killed.
POSITION OF THE REPUBLICANS
Each Faction Contends that it il
Standing on Platform.
SECTION TWELVE ALSO GOES OUT
Provision Auth OriEinR Purchase OF
stocks of Competing Lines Meets
Even Quicker DeatA--Com-
ment by DOlliver.

WASHINGTON, May S.--Moves Of a rad
ical character IN connection with the rail
road bill eventuated when the measure was
taken up in the senate late this afternoon
Chairman EllSins OF the interstate com.
merce committee at once announced thai
he would move to lay on the table the
Cummins amendment to the traffic agree.
ment section. lie coupled this statemen
with the announcement that a majority Of
the committee would then support an
amendment by Senator Clay to strike OUT
the whole of section e.
Senator Cumnlans gained recognition and
withdrew his amendment.
motion was then made by Senator Clay
to strike out the section.
Section Z, which occasioned all the trouble
never was perfected in the senate. The
Cummins and the Elkins- Crawford provis-
ions were offered as complete substitutes
for the section. The Cummins provision
would have legahzed traffic agreements,
but would have compelled the railroads 90
procure the approval of the Interstate Com
merce commission before making changes of
rates.
The Elklns-Crawford provision would
authorize the making of agreements, but
would not permit the railroads TO enforce
changes of rates without first obtaining
the approval OF the commission.
Position Of InsurRents.
The insurgents claimed that this provis'
ion would repeal the sherman antitrust
law so far as 1t applied 10 railroads and
would put an end to competition as to rates,
Both factions contended their amendments
we're in compliance with the republican ma
tional platform.
long DOlit1Cll
speech, and then a vote was taken on Nj.
Clays motion. No request was made for
a roll call and section was struck out by
viva voce vote IN which there were no
negatives. s~
section y met even quicker death. Sen.
ator Nelson made a motion killing this
section, which would authorize railroads
to buy all the stock of the lines In which
they already own so per cent OF the stock
With hardly word OF comment 1t was or
dered eliminated.
Debate was then resumed in relation to
other features of the bill,
Comment by DOlliver.
The insurgents have reached the re.
spectacle status OF being treated as bel
ligerents," commented MIR. Dolliver, just
prior to the convening of the senate.
insurgent senators were OF the opinion
that the senate proceedings today would
mark an epoch in the history of the rail-
road bill. The insurgents were divided in
opinion as to the probable fate of the
Cummins amendment. Some OF them were
not so sure that it could he beaten by the
regulars, even with the assistance OF those
senator's who had agreed to vote against
it with the understanding that the agree
| ment provision would be withdrawn SUBJ
sequently They appeared hopeful Of sue
cess and indicated their preference for the
regulation of traffic agreements by such
| provision Discussing the program Of the
| regulars Mr.. Dollyer said;
1T is like driving OFF the roof the man
who is thatching it in order to burn the
! house" he said.
I'VE would prefer to go and perfect thS
/ bill.
| I'VE are certainly getting on" continued
| Mr. Dolliver. "Our war status is recog-
| nized. We are to be dealt with and our
right to make treaties and to enter into
! alliances Is established"