New-York tribune., 1910-03-31
lFrofr Tho Tribune Bureau !

AaShlnEtuns MArCn ~
RAILWAY LEGISIATloN.-The Senate
leaders arc greatly encouraged over the
prospects of the interstate commerce bill,
which Is now the unfinished business. Sen
a:or Roots Illuminating and convincing
speech. IL Is felt, will go far 20 disarm op-
position, and, with the advice of Mr..
Root and the approval ~ the administra-
ton, number OF amendments designed 20
strengthen the measure viii be introduced
and adopted. II is regarded as certain that
a sufficient number OF regular Republicans
VIII vote for the measure to insure its
passage. regardless OF the course of the
insurgents Senator Elkins offered several
amendments to-day which. he said. were
approved by a majority of The members o,
the Interstate Commerce Committee. and
most OF which are designed TO meet objec-
uons mado 10y the opposition. These
amendments provide. among other things.
thai nothing in the bin shall be construed
a. enlarging the jurisdiction OF the pro-
posed court beyond that now possessed by
the circuit courts: that an appeal may be
taken from any interlocutOry order or de-
cree granting or continuing an injunction
restraining the enforcement OF an order of
tie commission. provided such appeal be
posed court may grant an injunction only
on five days notice and that the commits
sion shall not have the right 10 control
rates for transportation wholly by water
NEW AMENDMENTS.- the inter
state commerce bin is placed on passage II
VIII be so amended as 20 make the proyl-
sion regarding traffic agreements conform
q af "a D.
platform. which makes IL clear that such
agreements shall be subject 10 the approval
Of the Interstate Commerce Commission
The provision that the proposed Commerce
Court shall be required TO pass in advance
on proposed railroad mergers will be
stricken out. and an amendment Will be
inserted declaring that the securities or
wholly interstate roads shall be exempted
from the supervision Of the Interstate Com
merce Commission. The measure will also
be amended 10 provide that il shall become
effective sixty days after its passage Mr..
Roots discussion Of the measure to-day
seemed To awaken new interest in the sub
Ject, and il is expected that from now on
the debate VIII be continuous and the
measure Will soon be sent 10 the House.
" - Ia ~ ~ I-iA A4I-NHANl4A lAN-Cend-
tor Smoot, chairman Of the subcommittee
OF the Committee on Public Lands, has
perfected p measure for the conservation
Of water power sites which will doubtless
meet with the approval of the level-headed
advocates Of conservation, hut Will be
strenuously opposed by the extremists Of
the Pinchot tgpe. The measure authorizes
the President 10 withdraw from entry all
power sites and 10 acquire by purchse or
exchange additional lands which have al
ready passed into private hands and which
may be NEEDED for the development OF such
sites. 1t further provides that all such
sites shall be transferred, on application. 10
the several states and territories, which
shall be required 10 place them under a
commission or other state supervision 10
retain the title perpetually. TO lease the
sites for a consideration which the states
are left free to determine, but must he re-
adjusted every ten years. Where IL is
necessary to acquire by purchase any addi-
uonal land 10 render a power site avail
able the state is required 10 reimburse the
federal government. II is further required
Of the states that they shall take such
steps as may he necessary 10 prevent such
sites from failing into the hands OF mo-
nopolies. ana that IL they are acquired BY
those who attempt 10 esta blish a monopoly
the lease shall be cancelled, and finally II