Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1910-03-16
RAILROAD BILL FIGHT
Opening Debate Shows Both
Sides Firm.
CUMMlNS GIVES VIEWS
Criticises President - Democrats
Will Oppose Attempt to Rush
Measure Through.

That the organization senators feel con-
fdent of putting the administration rail-
road bill through the Senate in practical
ly it's present form is the general belief
at the Capitol today, and it is also
thought they will lose no time in doing So
On the other hand, the leaders among
the Senate insurgents and some of the
democrats are planning to resist any
effort on the part of the organization to
rush the bill and choke off debate
Whether or not their efforts will lead to
a filibuster is not fully determined at
this time.
1T was the developments of yesterday
afternoon and today in the Senate that
showed the hands of the supporters and
opponents of the bill in its present form.
After Senator Cummins had spoken in
opposition to certain features OF the
meas sure for two hours yesterday after
noon Senator Hale urged that there be
no delay in considering the several fea-
lures of the bill.
clats. declared there would be opposition
TO ,amlning the measure through. Sena-
TORS Cummins and Bristow presented sew
efal amendments to the bill that VIII
radically change some OF its features, and
other senator's have already had printed
other amendments. This action, together
with private announcements which have
been made, is taken to show that efforts
to secure amendments to the bill will be
persistent.
Taft Checkmates Insurgents.
President Taft is generally thought to
have checkmated the plan of the lnsur-
gents to criticise him for framing legisla-
ton to be passed by Congress and for try
70 tIro, oh ho Hocirac While
Senator Cummins was stating that exec
utive displeasure would be encountered by
those republicans who did not vote for the
bill just at it is, the President let it be
known at the White House that he was
only insisting on the passage of a railroad
bill and not on the passage OF the Dill
without amendment.
Senator Cummins. however, spared the
President but little in his criticism.
81 recognize that it is not only the privi-
lege but the duty OF the President to
make such recommendations to Congress
as in his judgment will best promote the
general welfare" remarked Senator Cum
minis. HE is quite within lis privilege
and his duties in expressing his views
upon such subjects as often as he likes
and as emphatically as he pleases.
whether he is within his privilege or
his duty when he undertakes to prescribe
the precise form which legislation shall
assume may we'll be doubted. His great
predecessor evidently thought that exec
utive propriety did not permit it. for when
he was dealing with the same subject In
his message at the beginning of the first
session of the Fifty-ninth Congress ne
said: TT is not my province to indicate
the exact terms Of the law which should
be enacted. but / call the atte4tion Of
Congress to certain existing conditions
with which it is desirable to deal.
with the utmost respect for the ex-
allied Office of President OF the United
States, and for him who occupies 1t at
the present time, 1 record my protest here
and now against a practice which l be-
lieve to be full OF danger and disaster.
Debate Over Procedure.
But twas the debate over the pro-
cedure for today in the Senate. led by
6enator Hale. that was regarded as sig
nif1cant. Senator Hale declared that the
state Of the public business in Congress
is the best in years, and he urged no de-
lay in the consideration of the railroad
bill.
1--WE may just as well understand this
matter" declared Senator Bailey. This
bill Is not going to be rushed in that way.
This is measure Of very great import
ance, and If there is an adjournment be-
fore the dog days l think the senator
from Maine will be rather more fortu-
nate than now believe he will be-
Il am not SO struggling In my condition
Hale. II do not believe you can keep the
Senate here until the dog days"
II have myself seen them prefer their
comfort to wise legislation. and it may be
that way again." answered Mr.. Bailey.
Senator Elkins. in charge of the bill,
was frank to say that he desired vote
on the measure at the earliest possible
moment. He was brought into the dis
cussion by the suggestion of Senator Bal
ley that 1t was understood to be the in
tention of the friends of the bill not to
discuss it, and the question of Senator
Nelson, If 1t was not fair that some one
on the committee reporting the bill should
discuss it's merits.
Sometimes one can win a great many
votes by not talking at ALL replied SEN
ator Elkins. land one can destroy his
case by talking, or rather talking too
much"
That is. if you do not believe in your
case" suggested Senator Bailey.
Many Want to Be Heard.
Il take it from what l have heard
around the chamber Senator Elkins re-