New-York tribune., 1910-06-11
WORK ON RAILROAD BILL
Conferrees Make Good Progress
Toward Agreement.
WICKERSHAM AIDS THEM
Some Points Already Decided
President to Win on One Of
His Suggestions.

Washington, June 10.--Conferrees on the
railroad bill had the aid Of Attorney Cen
eraI Wickersham al both of tO-days ses-
sions. and il was announced tonight that
there is a possibility Of final agreement
being reached on Monday, or within day
or two following. This prediction was
made by Senators Elkins and Aldrich, and
Representative Mann said that substantial
progress had been made. No member of
the conference committee would discuss the
details Of to-day's accomplishments.
It was learned, however, that a tentative
agreement was reached as 10 the long and
short haul provision. which will consist
practically Of all the Senate and House
amendments on this subject The stock and
bond provision is to be eliminated because
OF the assertion by the Senate conferrees
that they could not obtain the adoption Of
a report containing any provision for fed
eral regulation of securities on account Of
the opposition of Democrats.
Physical valuation Of railroads, II is as
serted. will not be provided for in the con-
ference bill. Senator Aldrich told Mr. Mann
that the Senate had voted four times TO
reject that feature, and that 1t was folly
to consume time in discussing it. Mr..
amendment on this subject, but the Sen
ate conferrees characterized 1t as a make
shift" which meant nothing, and which, if
adopted. would subject the conference COM
mittee to general condemnation by sup
porters OF legislation looking to an investi-
cation OF the value Of railroad property.
Mr.. Mann has not entirely abandoned
hope OF obtaining the acceptance Of sC-ne
~ ha
referred to the fact that the House had
adopted the physical valuation amendment
by a vote Of nearly two to one.
To Take Effect at Once.
President Taft according to present indi-
cations, will win on only one OF the three
suggestions which he made TO the confer
rees. He wanted the retention Of the House
amendments concerning stocks and bonds,
the reduction from ten to six months Of the
time allowed by the Senate bill to the Inter
state Commerce Commission for the inves-
tigation Of increases in railroad rates. and
the making Of the section regarding rate
increases effective at once, instead Of after
sixty days. as provided by both bills.
All the members of the conference COM
mittee agreed to the wisdom of the latter
suggestion because Of It's application to no
tees given by railroads recently OF many
proposed advances.
The Senate conferrees have told the Pres
ident that they could not consent to the
stock and bond feature because Of their
agreement with Democrats The insistence
on the suspension Of increases in rates for
ten months IL that period should be re-
quired by the Interstate Commerce Com
mission to pass on their reasonableness is
De- Car
tors.
There are many provisions in the House
bill which are not in the Senate measure
in any form. This is true particularly of
Section Z of the House bill. which would
provide for an enlargement Of the power
Of the commission over railroad regula-
tions and practices. This section proposes
to amend Section Of the existing inter-
state commerce act. 1t was written by Mr.
Mann and he Acknowledges pride Of au-
thorship. A large part Of this long section
was accepted by the Senate conferrees.
Enlsrging Commissions Powers.
These proposed changes in existing law
would require railroads TO provide facilt-
ties for operating through routes and TO
exchange, interchange and return cars used
thereon. The railroads would be compelled
to establish and observe reasonable c!assi-
fications of property for transportation,
regulations affecting rates. tariffs and the
issuance of tickets. receipts and bills OF
lading, as well as many other regulations
affecting marking, packing and delivering
property. and the carrying Of personal
sample and excess baggage.
Several of the amendments adopted by
the Senate as the result of demands made
by insurgent Republicans will be retained
These include the amendment placing on
the railroads the burden OF proving the
reasona ableness of advances in rates. On
the other hand, it is understood that the
Paynter amendment requiring that both
the old and new rates must be shown by
the bills of lading and the shipper
reimbursed the amount Of the increase
in the event II was held 10 be unjust,
will be dropped.
Senator Foster, the minority member Of
the Senate conference committee, resigned
to-day, and Senator Newlands was ap-
pointed 10 succeed him. The Democratic
members of the committee have not been
admitted 10 any Of the meetings and will
not be until a complete agreement has been
reached by the Republicans. Representa-
tive Wagner, OF Pennsylvania, the col
league of Mr.. Mann, was present at the