Evening times-Republican. [volume] (Marshalltown, Iowa) 1890-1923, 1910-03-17
Iowa Senator Rssents Attempt TO FREQ
Railroads From Effects Of Anti Trust
Law-DoIIiver Lines Up With Cum
nsins-stter Fight is certain-oth.r
Political Gossip.

Washing ton, March 17.-The lines
have been clearly drawn In the fight
over the administration railroad bill.
which entered its third day in the SEN
ate, this afternoon. On the one hand
are the western republicans who seek
to bring about certain changes in the
bill, and who point out what they con-
slider the weaknesses and dangerous
provisions Of the measure. Opposed to
them the senate leaders, headed by
Senators Aldrich and Elkins, have de-
fined the issue:
THE man who fights any feature Of
the railroad bill fights the president Of
the United States"
The bitterness that attended the fight
in the senate yesterday afternoon indi-
Gates that the hope of harmony upon
the administration measure is remote.
Charges were hurled across the senate
floor yesterday afternoon that the SEN
ate leaders are trying to ''hide behind
the president" in an effort to repeal the
Sherman antitrust law so far as it ap-
plies to the traffic agreements made by
railroads. Called upon to explain 'the
effect OF the section which Senators
Cummins, Nelson. Clapp, Crawford and
other western senators criticised, Sem
ators Aldrich and Elldns took refuge in
the plea that the bin was created by
thAt that was sufficient explanation
as TO Its character.
Demand Approval by Commission.
1.-THE senator must not try to hide
behind the president on this matter"
exclaimed Senator Nelson, his voice
trembling with rage. THAT is small
business. He can not stand here and
say this bill is right and must be, pass
ed because it comes from the president.
It is the merits of the measure that
we must consider"
The section toward which Senator
Cummins and the other western sena-
tors directed their fire was that which
permits the railroads to make traffic
agreements and file them with the in
i terstate commerce commission. It does
mot require that >such agreements be
sArst approved by the interstate COM
merce commission. The effect Of it, in
theAopinion of the critics of the bill, is
to Take the traffic agreement COM
pletely out from under the Sherman
anti-trust law and nullify that law so
far as 1t applies to this feature.
Senator Aldrich asserted he did not
believe this would be the effect Of the
bill, and in this contention he was sup
ported by Senator Elkins, chairman OF
the committee in charge of the meas
ure. The two senator's were pressed
hard as to what the effect of the pro-
vision would be. Senator Aldrich coun-
tered by asking If any one thought
the president had such motive in
recommending or knew that such ex-
emption OF the railroads would re.
suit.
cummins Refuses Any Support.
The western republican members
were stirred to anger by this evidence
of speedy retreat of the regular forces
to The shelter OF the presidential wing
whenever hard pressed on the bill.
Senator Bailey, who had been walking
up and down the middle aisle and driv-
ing sharp remarks into the controversy
whenever he had an opportunity, re-
tired to the democratic side and smiled
as the republican fight grew more Bit
ter
Senator Cummins declared that the
republicans could not be held to the
support Of the bill as presidential
measure.
.The bill under consideration is not
the bill recommended by the president
On ssi.s. Z attached &c the message which the
president transmitted to congress" he
said 'It has been changed in many
and material respects since then, and
for one will not accept the bill in its
present form"
Senator Elkins endeavored to show
that President Roosevelt had urged the
same provision regarding the traffic
agreements that is contained in, the
present administration railroad bill. In
reading from the Roosevelt message on
the subject 1t became apparent that
Roosevelt had recommended that such
agreements first be approved by the
Interstate commerce commission. Sen
ators Cummins and Clapp. seated side
by side, were on their feet in an in,
slant, and broke in upon Elkins to de-
clare that was all they were asking
for IN the present case.
Il will accept this provision in a
minute, II It Is made clear that these
traffic combinations must be approved
by the commission instead of being
merely filed with the commission" said
Senator Cummins.
Senator Aldrich said he believed this
was the real Intention OF the president
and Ne Was willing that the language,
should be made clear upon the subject.
ne reiterated his snriicf that the 3. eos
ure, Ia It's present form, is sufficient
and would not exempt the railroads
ffoA eng DEoNtsion Of the anti-trust