New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1910-05-19
RAILROAD BILL PROGRESS
Administration Senators Win
Victory Over insurgents.
on THE APPEAL SECTION
Final Vote on the Entire Bill
May Be Taken in the Senate
Within a Week.
IFFen rs Tribune Bureau

Washington. May 1s.-The friends OF the
administration bin to strengthen the inter
stare commerce law won another victory in
he Senate Fo-day o. the adoption OF the
amendment OF Senator Smith. OF Michigan,
giving he Attorney General control Of the
interests Of the government in suits ap-
pesled from tie decisions of the Interstate
commerce Commission The insurgents and
she Democrats were able 10 muster only
tHenty-fhree votes against the amendment,
while there were forty votes for it -Four
Democrats voted for the amendment and
zen Republicans against it
The vote was taken after a long discus
sion OF the amendment. which was at
tackled by Senators Deliver. Clapp. Cum
Minis. Newlands and Rayner. Senator
Hughes. one OF the minority members of
The Committee on Interstate Commerce
spoke in favor OF the Smith amendment
snd sharply criticised Senator Rayner,
whose remarks he construed as a reflection
on the motives OF Senators who saw merit
IN the Smith plan. Several sharp colloquies
between Senators Aldrich and Cummins as
10 the influence the insurgents are eNertins
toward perfecting the railroad bill en-
iivened the proceedings, although on the
whole the debate was so dull that frequent
calls for e quorum were necessary TO Sc
cure at Su0ienCe Tor the OfdiofS-
Following the adoption of the Smith
amendment. Mr.. Aldrich offered an amend
-neut 20 Section 9, which was adopted with
out debate. when an understanding was
reached that Mr. Cummins's substitute for
Section 8 shall be regarded as the pending
amendment when the bill is taken up to-
morrow.
Section 9, as amended by Mr.. Aldrich,
permits the Interstate Commerce Commits
sion 20 suspend any new rate, classified
ton, regulation or practice for 120 days
while the commission is investigating its
merits. As reported the bill authorizes
suspension not 20 exceed sixty days. The
Cumrnins substitute aims 10 prevent any
rate, classification, etc, which involves an
increase from going into effect until it has
been approved by the commission.
When his amendment TO Section had
been adopted, Mr.. Aidrich suggested the
time had come when an agreement might
he reached for final vote on the bill He
asked that the general debate be confined
10 Section and the three sections relating
10 the control of railroad capitalization,
and that all other amendments be voted
On without further discussion.
M. Aldrlch withdrew his request when
several Democratic Senators explained that
AileIt WcS a special reason why a re-
quest TO fix a time for a final vote should
be deferred until tomorrow. The special
reason was that conference of Demo-
cratic Senators was 10 be held tonight for
the consideration of the general legislative
situation from the minority point of view.
This conference. held in the Senate office
blilding,N decided to submit their views to
absent Senators before to-morrow's session
The Smith amendment relating 10 the
control Of cases appealed TO the Commerce
court and the Supreme Court from the
findings Of the Interstate Commerce COM
mission is substantially the House provi-
sion. While the Attorney General is to
have charge Of the interests of the govern
noent the Interstate Commerce Commission
and the parties in interest 10 the proceed
iREs before the commission are to be no
tihed and may appear as parties TO the pro-
ceedinE in the courts and he represented by
Counsel.