The Washington herald. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1906-1939, 1910-03-17

The Senate insurgents in their fight
against the administrations railroad bill
are trying to create the impression that
they are the real defenders Of the Roose-
Welt policies so far as interstate COM
merce legislation is concerned.
| Their intention to tax the administrs-
ton with backslidlng from the Roose-
Welt standards was apparent yesterday
when they contended that the present
bill, drawn by the Attorney General and
Endorsed by President Taft, would emas-
culate the rate bill forced through Con-
gress by President Roosevelt in 1905
Section of the present bill, which
legalizes traffic agreements. was the chief
subject OF contention In the Senate yes
terday. Senator Cummins. of Iowa. who
led the debate again yesterday against
the Administration measure, and his fol-
lowers, contended that this section re-
pealed the provisions OF the Sherman
antitrust law as applied to railroads.
They declared that while President
Roosevelt and the last Republican Ma
tional platform had declared for Iegisla-
| ton permitting traffic agreements they
had never contemplated agreements with
out the approval OF the Interstate Com
merce Commission. as provided III the
present bill.
AIdrich Defends Measure
Senator Aldrich denied that the bill
would repeal the antitrust law, because
the commission would sim have the right
TO pass on the reasonableness OF r. rate,
but Senator Bailey accepted the in
surgents' view and taxed Senator Aldrich
directly with having that purpose IN view
when the bin was reported.
Senator Aldrich admitted that none of
the Senators who voted for the Sherman
antitrust law intended TO include rail-
roads within its operation. but he denied
that there had been any disposition 70
exempt the railroads by means of the
present bin. The debate got so warm
that Senator Aldrich said that II the
language Of the bin was not clear on this
subject he would be glad TO have II made
clear.
Senator Aldrieh remarked that the bill
was before the Senate by authority Of the
mitted by the Attorney General.
1T IS true the Attorney General has
prepared this BILL" said Senator Cum
Minis. but l want to say that II repeats
the antitrust law so far as the opera
lions of its provisions are concerned"
''Why inject this immunity clause in
the BILL asked Senator Nelson. II Min
nesota, $50 as 10 permit railroads In
making mergers 10 be exempt from the
provisions OF the antitrust law? I am
surprised at the statement Of the Senator
from Rhode Island. Senators must not
hide behind the President or the Attor-
ney General in assuming responsibility
for this measure. That is not the way
for the Senate TO legislate."
Aldrieh Does Not Hide.
ST am not in the habit OF hiding behind
any one" retorted Senator Aldrich. with
considerable feeling. That is not my Gus
tom. do not wish to avoid my respon-
sibillty I have said the bill is here by
the authority Of the President OF the
United STAGES. A former President OF
the United States has declared in favor
of this amendment TO the proposed law.
If there is any doubt as TO the meaning
of this amendment or any other bill. I
will not oppose a change that win make
il clear"
The way that Senator Nelson ques-
toned Mr.. Aldrich showed that the in
surgents will have a supporter in him
for at least some features of the bin. |
Senator Crawford, of South Dakota. an
other near-insurgent, indicated by his
line Of questioning that he also had a
certain degree of sympathy with the
fight that CumHins and other radicals
are making on this measure.
Senator Sutherland, OF Utah. who is
counted regular, also declared that he |
thought the language Of the bin ought /
TO be changed TO make il clear on this |
point, Altogether. the insurgents were |
well pleased with the days developments. |
Senator Elkins, who has charge OF the /
bill, says. however that he also Is we'll |
pleased with the developments that have |
occurred thus far. It was generally re- |
ported yesterday that the Republicans |
will have from two TO FIVE members Of |
the Democratic side supporting the bin |
when it comes up for passage.