Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1910-05-27
IN THE SENATE.
A Vote on the Railroad Bill 10 Expect
cd Sometime Today.

Washington. May 26.-Through the
defeat in the Senate today of a number
of amendments offered by "Insurgent"
Republicans and Democrats, the way
was paved for an early vote on the ad-
ministration railroad bill. 1t is ex-
pected that this will come tomorrow
and that the Senate then will adjourn
over until Monday when the statehood
bill probably win be made the unfinish-
ed business. The Regular" Republi-
cans maintained a firm hold upon the
situation during the several votes on
important features, Notwithstanding
the insurgents" and Democrats unit
ed their votes onN several occasions.
More was accomplished during the
closing hours of the session today than
in any one week during the three
months the bill has been the pending
business.
Not until o'clock was anything
done beyond listening to discussion of
the measure but when at that time La
Toilette concluded his two days speech
in opposition to the bill, the voting
proceeded rapidly, with the following
results:
The Cummings amendments requir-
ing the approval OF the Interstate
Commerce Commission of all increases
in railroad rates before they become
effe6rive was voted down, 20 to 43.
The Martin amendment requiring the
approval of the Interstate Commerce
Commission to reach a final decision on
increases within six months was de-
feated Is to 81.
An amendment Of Clarke Of Arkansas
to defer increased rates until passed upon
by the commission. but putting them into
effect after six months, pending a final
decision. was rejected IS to 40.
An amendment composed of PROPOSE
lions by Jones and Paynter was accept
ed This provision provides for the ex-
tension for a period of six months of
the To-day suspension of new rates and
regulations in case the hearing as to their
reasonableness is not concluded within
that time and for the refunding of the
difference between rates if the new rate
is found to be unreasonable. This
amendment was adopted unanimously.
An amendment by Hughes, striking out
the capitalization provisions of the bill,
also was adopted with practical unanim-
lly. DuflOH Cast TIC OHly negative NOlc,
OF all the votes of the day, the one on
the Cummins amendment was by far the
most important. The vote on this amend
ment was by no means as close as had
been predicted by its friends and feared
by it's opponents.
OF the 20 votes favorable to the amend
ment IL were cast by insurgent Republic
cans. Only four Democrats voted for the
provision.
Pending the vote on the Jones-Paynter
amendment there was most confusion as
to the parliamentary status Of the two
amendments as separately presented.
The original suggestion of Mr.. Jones
provided merely for an extension of the
suspension of the 120-day period, already
allowed by the bill, for Investigations of
new rates by the Interstate Commerce
Commission. 1t reads as follows: That
| if any such hearing cannot be concluded
within the period of suspension. the In
| terstate Commerce Commission may, IN
its discretion. extend the time of suspen-
sion for a further period. not exceeding
| six MONTHS
The addition made at the suggestion
of Mr.. Paynter provides that if the
HicTedSeu rate is 1OunQ 10 De unTeaSOn :
| able the carrier shall refund to the
party paying it the difference between
that and the rate as it existed before
the increase and shall do so on the
presentation of the bill of lading. re-
ceipt or expense bill at it's office where
| the freight charges were made
The Paynter provision also directs
| the issuance of way bills and receipts
showing the points of origin and des-
tination of freight giving the names of
consigner and cOnsignee and the total
amount of charges all to be used as a
basis for settlement. When the Sen
ate meets tomorrow the Dolliver
amendment. the La Toilette amend
ment providing for the physical valua-
ton of railroad property and the New
landws amendment providing for ma
tional incorporation of railroads will
be the only subjects left for consider
alton. If long speeches can be elimi-
mated there is no reason why a final
vote on the bill should not be reached
before the end of the day, as it is re-
garded as certain that all of these fea-
lures will be rejected.