The Hartford republican. (Hartford, Ky.) 18??-1926, 1910-05-20
RAILROAD
BILL ADOPTED.
After Three Weeks Debate
Measure Goes Through.
Good Prospect for Passage Of
Bill Changing Time Of Presi-
Dental Inauguration.

Washington, d. c., May IA The
administration railroad bill, adopted
after three weeks discussion, has
been the most important Legislative
event of the week, or perhaps of the
session. There is much discussion IN
political and legislative groups with
reference to the effect of the bill
The regular Republicans insist that
1t reenacts the present faw in regard
to the long and short haul The Demo
Gratis see in it much progrss in the
right direction. The dnsurgnets are
evidently disappointed with the bill
rs passed. 1t Is, however, evident
from the bill that the burden is
shifted from the shipper ITO the rail-
road in the matter of long and short
haul rates. Under the terms OF the
bill as passed, the railroad will have
to satisfy the Interstate Commerce
Commission that the rates are equita-
BILE and not unduly discriminatory
Under the present law, this burden
has been upon the shipper, who has
had to oppose the dong and short
haul rates upon the ground OF
their upreasonableness. The insnr-
gents are satisfied with this feature
of the bill and are claiming victory
as far as 1t goes. The long and short
haul feature of the bill was intro
duced by Senator Dixon of Montana
and his amendment made it unlaw-
full for any common carrier to charge
mcne for short haul than for a
long haul when the short haul is
included within the long haul. There
was. however, clause 10 the effect
that by application to the Interstate
Commerce Commission, the common
carrier might in some cases DE
authorized by the Commerce Com
mission to charge less for a longer
than for shorter distance. The
passage of this amendment empha-
sizes what has long been evident
with reference ito all legislation, that
little direct and positive progress can
be made and that all enactmenss in
closely contested. bills are the result
of a series of compromises ard that
very seldom radical or Important
changes are enacted.
Two more statues have been added
this week 10 the many that adorn
the parks, squares and triangles of
Washington. One is an equestrian
statue of Count Pulaski, the ether
a herioc sized statue OF Kosciusko.
These statues have been presented
by Polish citizens OF the United
Sta.es who, with their descendants,
are said to number from four to five
millions. There was great parade
OF regular and volunteer soldiery,
fully 5000 in number, with speeches
from the President and cabinet Of
ficers, and also from distinguished
Poles, and one delivered in the
Polish language. There is no city in
this country and scarcely any city in
the world that has more bronze monu
ments chan Washington, and quite
a number of others are contracted
for, notably that of the equestrian
monument of Gen. Grant, surrounded
by a group of distinguished con-
temporardes.
Thera is now a good prospect that
Congress will pass bill changing
inauguration dale from the proverb-
tally inc,erhent March the 4th to the
last Thursday In April, nearly two
months batter, and to time of year
more suitable for a great ou.-dpor
pageant. The bill win be called up
next week by Congressman Parker Cd
the Judiciary Committee, who has It
( IN charge. and put upon its passage
under .. suspension of hhe rules
Mr.. Henry, who Is THE au-
thor of the bill, says that there Is
but one possible obstacle To its pass
age and submission to the states for
ratification-he Is afraid OF In
difference in Congress and net in
the state legislatures after the
measure has received the approval Of
the national Congress II the bill IL
passed nearly two months will be add
ed to the short session Of Congress
and with the growing National busl'