The Birmingham age-herald. [volume] (Birmingham, Ala.) 1902-1950, 1910-05-20

BILL The insurgents are fayorably dis
posed toward similar amendments to the
Senate bill, while the regulars are doing
their utmost to kill off such legislation.
The entire railroad situation is today
regarded as far more unsatisfactory than
at any time since the bill has been under
consideration in the Senate and no one
seems to be able to predict what the
outcome will be.
Uncertainty Over the Bill
Washington, May 19.-Beginning the
day with a fair prospect of an agreement
between the regular republicans and the
democrats which would permit an early
vote on the railroad bill, the Senate con-
cluded todays session in as great un-
certainty as II has been at any time
on that and all other points The day
was full of consultations and from the
hour of meeting at noon the situation
shifted many times. When adjournment
was taken shortly after O'clock there
was more talk o an understanding be-
tween the ''resuia rs'' and the democrats
The first reports ~ the day Indicated
the strong probability that large ma
jority of the democrats, If not all of them,
would agree to accept a proposition of
the republicans to strike out the last
three sections of the bill relating to the
capitalization of the railroads. This ar
rangement was to have carried with it
the adoption of an amendment proposed
by Mr. Simmons to prohibit the lowering
of railroad rates to destroy water com
petition and an agreement giving a place
of advantage on the calendar to the New
Mexico and Arizona statehood bill. In
return the democrats were expected to
expedite the railroad bill by voting
against most Of the amendments offered
by the insurgents, and assist In laying
some of them on the table.
When this proposition was put in writ
ing and Senator Johnston of Alabama
began to circulate it on the minority SIDE
of the chamber he met will much oppo-
sition and before he had proceeded very
far his associates became convinced his
party was by no means unanimous in IA
vor Of the proposed compact. Among
those who refused to sign we're Senators
Bacon, Rayner, Frazier, Overman and
Smith of South Carolina. They raised
the objection that the agreement would
be construed as surrender to the AID
rich republicans" With such large de-
lection the movers for an agreement
practically decided before the close of
the day to refrain from further effort In
that direction.
Senator AldrIch Busy
The failure to put through this for
NAL plan did not however, have, the
effect of causing a complete discon-
tinuance of the efforts to bring the
bill to an early vote. Senator Aldrich,
who was the prime mover in this d.
Iection, was extremely busy through
out the day. just before the Senate
adjourned he expressed the opinion
that some arrangement soon would be
Inc, ta raoc cco 90
of the bill at an early date. Sena-
tor Hale, in an open talk in the Sem
ate. said that vote should be reached
by the end of next week.
In the hope of bringing these proph-
estes to realization the railroad bill
was sidetracked until Monday. Tomor-
row will be given up to the consid-
Grafton of the naval appropriation bill
and Saturday will be devoted to eulo-
giles of the deceased members of the
House of Representatives
Even on the face of the failure of
the ,proposed democratic alliance the
regulars expressed confidence in their
a abflity to get enough democratic votes
TO. insure the passage of the bill after
making such concessions as were speci-
Ned An the proposed compact, and some
of'tba democrats admit this. to be true.
Tshe Regulars claim they can command
al leas ST 10 democratic votes, where
as they say they need only two or
three.
There is little doubt that whatever
the desired number, short of half
dozen. they can get them when they
Gre willing to give the statehood bill
an advantageous place on the legisla-
tive programme
The Insurgents" generally denied
onv approach to an agreement between
them and the regulars They charge
that, reports of such an agreement are
ctured for their effect upon the
democrats.
Cummins Occupies Floor
The railroad bill was before the SEN
ate through out the day aud Senator
Cumm,rs of Iowa occupied the floor
rrom the beginning until the end of
tba SESSION His amendment requiring
that before going into effect increases
N railroad rates shall have the ap.
nrovni OF the interstate commerce
commission was under immediate con-
sideration
presenting wide range of argument
in behalf of the provision he charged
that since January the railroads have
,.ut large number OF increases In
force and that their activity in this
,especr was induced by publications OF
the proposed bill.
Mr.. Cunmins said he did not charge
that the new rates were excessive, but
lie did contend that the old rates were
established by the railroads, and 1t is