Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1910-05-04

Senate omits Sections z and 12 and
Makes Other Alterations.
House Activity.
Both the Senate and the House of Rep
resentatives rang the bulls eye on the
administration railroad bill yesterday.
That measure is now all shot to pieces
in both branches of the national legis-
lature. Originally, the railroad bills in
troduced in the Senate by Senator Elkins
Of West Virginia and In the House by
Representative Townsend Of Michigan
were Identical But both branches have
been busy and now 1t il conceded that
with the republican party in Congress
lacking a true working majority the fate
Of the measure il in doubt. 1t may pass
and 1t may not. But even the most OPP
timistic Of Congress leaders do not be-
lieve that the measure. II it finally gets
through. will bear more than a faint
trace Of resemblance to the administra-
ton railroad bill approved by President
Taft and his Attorney General.
Attacking Parties Active.
The slaughter Of the bill proceeded
merrily in both the Senate and House
yesterday.
Section THE trafic agreement pro-
vision-was eliminated by both houses.
The Senate struck out also section II.
which would have permitted any railroad
owning so per cent Of another road to alb
sorb IL altogether. The section prohibit
ing a railroad from charging a higher
rate for a short than for long haul
was adopted by the House in the form
reported by the committee on interstate
vision for an investigation and report
to Congress by the interstate commerce
commission OF the facts relative to the
nd-shcrt-haul question. There is
bill as it is pending in the Senate, but
an amendment offered by Senator Hey
burn to modify the existing law to sim
liar effect precipitated An extended de-
bate which was still in progress when
the Senate adjourned yesterday.
Strictly speaking. each house was bor-
ing holes in q separate ,bill-the Senate in
the Senate bill introduced by Senator
troduced by Representative Townsend.
The bills At the outset were identical,
though they were made different in vari-
Gus respects by the committees which
has yet to be passed in it's own house
and then will have to undergo the tender
mercies of the other. Whether either
will ever emerge from the final stage OF
joint conference is thing nobody is pre-
pared just now to prophesy.
Senate Bill Moves Rapidly.
: Never since it was reported to the Sen
ate, some nine weeks ago, has the bill
moved along with such celebrity as 1t did
yesterday. The entire program outlined At
the conference OF republican leaders was
carried out and extended. In rapid sue
cession the Cummins and the Crawford
Elkins amendments to the trafhc agree
ment provision were withdrawn, and the
entire trafic and merger provisions were
stricken out.
immediately after the bill was taken
up in the Senate Mr.. Elkins. who is in
charge of the bill. proposed to lay on
the table the Cummtns amendment re-
uu.ring the approval of all agreements
by the interstate commerce commission
in advance Of their taking effect. But Mr..
Cummias saved the trouble Of having q
vote by voluntarily taking his amend
Gratis had agreed to vote against the
Cummins provision In consideration OF
the adoption OF the Clay amendment
striking out the entire section.
Mr.. Elkins explained that the majority
Of the interstate commerce committee
was willing to permit the section to 60
out because Of the apprehension felt by
some that II would nave the effect OF
repeating the antitrust law so far as it
applied to railroads. He expressed his
purpose of supporting the Clay amend
ment, but explained that In order to get
it before the Senate 1t was necessary
to get the Cummins provision out of the
way To effect that purpose he moved
to lay the Cummins amendment on the
table.
Amendment Withdrawn.
Mr.. Cummins then announced the with
drawal OF his amendment. He expressed
his conviction that il adopted the pro-
vision would be beneficial to the public, |
and he said he would reoffer il in con-
nection with a section to be taken I'D |
later He declared himself to be much |
gratjhed over the prospect Of the elimi- |
nation OF the entire trofnc agreement Sec |
ton. |
The motion to lay on the table was
promptly withdrawn by Mr.. Elkins, who |
followed this action with the withdrawal |
of the Crawford-Elkins substitute.
Nr Crawford. hut not without protest. |
The contention that the Crawford amend |
nent would constitute compliance with
the platform was challenged by Sen
declaration had been to insure against
monopoly. which he said the Crawford
amendment would not accomplish.
The Clay amendment striking out the
was not acted upon Immediately. Senator
Stone said he did not concur In the in
vitation recently extended by Mr.. Rayner
to the Insurgents to come into the demo-
cratic fold. He thought they would do
more good where they were
The Clay amendment was then &C
cepted without division. and this action
was followed Immediately by the adop-
ton OF q motion by Senator Nelson strik-'
Ing out without division section IL.
which covered the questions Of mergers.
Hepburn Proposes Change.
Mr. Hepburn precipitated the debate Of
the day by presenting an amendment pro-
hibiting . greater charge for short than
for long hauls. He spoke at length in
support OF hts amendment. presenting
many instances Of alleged discrimination.
Many of his statements were challenged
by Senator Aldrich and q controversy en-
sued. In which many senators partici-
pated.
Admitting that apparently there are
come cases of injustice. Mr.. Aldrich said
the trouble was to find q remedy. De-
clarinK that many cities. such Is St. Paul.
Kansas City and Denver. had been built
up by the railroads, he asked Mr.. Hey
burn whether he advocated their ami
hilation in the interest, for instance. Of
some unknown place in Idaho. He de-
clared that Mr. Heyburn's contentious.
carried to their legitimate result. would
rnoyerf the treat central part OF the