The Detroit times., 1910-03-15
BIC FIGHT COMING
. ON RAILROAD BILL
Only Greatest Pressure From White
House Can Save Attorney-G General
Wickersham's Measure.

WASHINGTON. March li.-lt the
plans of Senator Elkins and several
OF the progressive senators work out
the debate in the senate this week
over the administrations railroad bili
will be merely the beginning OF the
row. IL is believed the bill submitted
10 both houses by Attorney GeneraI
Wickersham can be saved only through
the greatest possible pressure FROM
the white house. The progressiyes
purpose is TO let Senator Aldrich and
his cohorts pass their bill and then TO
have the conterees accept the Dill
that Rep. Mann. (Rep. llls) is work
ing out in the house, which Is not
enough like the original Wickersham
bill TO be recognized by its author.
The senate conferees Will CONSIST
OF Elkins. chairman OF the senate
committee on interstate commerce.
and two others. Elkins thinks The
Mann bill is much better than the one
his own committee has reported TO
the senate and figures the Mann bill
will be the basis OF the report OF the
conferees 10 the two houses. Mann
and his committee are not through
with the bill They have been sheet
ing holes through the Wickersham
measure and patching 1t up until II Is
about as severe on the railroads as
the progressives could hope for.
The limitation OF the powers OF the
commerce court. a physical valuation
OF railroad properties, contror oil
stock and bond issues and the strik-
ing from the bill OF several alleged
"1okers" are some OF the things that
have happened TO IL. Elkins VISITS
the House side OF the capital frequent
". and has been encouraging Mann In
his work
An interesting story OF how Senator
Aldrich had the bill reported from
the senate committee and thus incur
red the wrath OF Elkins. was told by
a member OF the committee today.
When the bill was first considered
in Elkins' committee. Aldrich. VINO Is
member, listened patiently for few
hours and then declared: I'VE VIII re-
port the bill"
But | have not even read il yet, =
protested Elkins. land don't know
II was handed me To, but | have not
te slightest idea what II contains.
Well. you don't need TO read IT,
retorted Aldrich. because | have read
IL and anyhow II has already been
agreed upon"
But insist that We shall consider
IT," shouted Elkins and SO Aldrich
finally consented TO consideration OF
the bill
After the bill had been in commit
tee a few days, 1t was agreed between
Cummins and Elkins and Wickersham
that a certain amendment should be
made TO the bill showing IL is not In
tended TO nullify the provisions OF the
Sherman antitrust act with regard 70
combinations. Wickersham brought
the amendment 10 the committee the
next day and Cummins and Elkins
agreed TO accept the amendment.
Then Aldrich spoke up from the
other end OF the table. saying. There
will be no amendments TO this Dill.
But" said Wiekersham, TINS
amendment is acceptable to the al
ministration."
well" retorted Aldrich. Il have
seen the president since any OF you
gentlemen have seen him. was at
the white house today and this bill
will be reported as it is. move that
the bill be reported with the recon-.
mendation that iTbe passed and
the motion passed. This is one reason
why Elkins is not particularly in love
with the bill as reported by his oyn
committee.