The Salt Lake tribune. [volume] (Salt Lake City, Utah) 1890-current, 1910-05-28
At the Eleventh Hour, Senate
Adds Important Amendment
to the Measure.
Observation-Disclosures
UNDER THE COMMISSION
Previously Stricken Out Section
on Mergers Cause Of Delay
in Voting.

WASHINGTON, May 27-At the last
moment before reaching the point of vol
ms upon the railroad bill today the sem
ate took the important step of adding
an amendment placing interstate tele-
graph and telephone lines under tho su-
pervision OF the interstate commerce
commission. This action was followed
by an effort 10 restore portion OF sec
tion IL. affecting mergers, which hereto
fore was voted out
Both provisions were introduced to sud-
denly as TO surprise the senate and the
latter was considered so important that
rather than vote upon il without more
consideration the senate took adjournment
until tomorrow.
The suggestion for the inclusion OF tele-
graph and telephone companies within the
control OF the interstate commerce COM
mission was made by Senator Dixon OF
Montana, but ultimately his amendment
was supplanted by one In simpler form
offered by Senator LaFollette.
Debate Is Lively.
The senate reached the voting stage
al 4 o'clock after an animated debate,
which was carried on largely. by the
Democratic side Of the chamber and
which dealt especially with whether the
Dolliver amendment regulating the stock
and bond issues OF railroads was in
accordance with the last Democratic plat
form.
1t had been Supposed that action upon
the Dolliver provision would be followed
by votes upon the physical valuation
amendment offered by Mr.. LaFollette and
the national Incorporation amendment OF
Senator Nowlands. When, therefore, Mr..
Dixon was recognized 10 present his tele-
graph amendment some surprise was
manifested. The amendment was In the
exact language of the telegraph provision
carried by the house bill. and ~ pur.
ported to re-enact the first section OF
the present interstate commerce law,
with telegraph and telephone companies
added.
1t covered nine pages, and much objcc-
ton TO voting upon II without an oppoII-
tunity for examination was expressed.
Even Mr.. Dixon himself was unable 10
state whether the provision was an exact
reproduction of the present law WIN lle
additions mentioned. and number oi
senators protested against putting IL TO
vote Several suggestions for adjourn
mcnt were made. Ultimately Senator
Rrandege moved to lay the amendment on
the table, but this motion was lost, -
10 81
While the discussion and the voting
were in progress. Senator LaFollettc pre-
pared an amendment SO simple ,{si,E alld uireGt 81
rou1prchending IT,. Mr.. Dixon Indicated
a Willingness to accept this provision IN
place OF his own. and IL went through
The execution Of wireless telegraph
companies was made at the suggestion OF
Senator Hepburn.
bnen announced than Mr.. Brown OF Me-
hraska arose 10 present MS amendment
rowling a portion OF section u. rs prt-
sonted his amendment prohibits an corn
mon carriers from acquiring any interest
whatsoever In the capital stock OF; or
purchasing or leasing. any railroad which
is competitive with that OF the pnrcnas
ing company. fine OF s5O90 is lInPGscu
for each DAYS violation OF this provision.
The suggestion OF this important ac-
ton. following closely as IL dlo upon ono
vote to place telegraph shu II, p,",,,
companies under the control OF tne com ON
rsiegIon was more than the senate WAS
willing 10 accept without more oppor-
tunlty for elaboration
Want Time to Think.
Many protests against immediate ac-
ton were uttered ana "non ,,Sl TT,'n,rcr
- .cnators acGuicsced.. BY rising Note
no senate decided. 81 to u. TO hnlourn. m
The Dolliver amendment, on "n's ms ,nqt
~. ~, ,hn decisive vote OF 10 10 a. the al
SIr,ativc vote was cast by Messrs beN-
cridgc. Borah. Bourne .,S"rd gris.Sw,d pT9Tn. Cum
Bprkei Bgrt1n; @nllivcr aptG; Gamble. Jones La
Toilette. Republicans. and ChamnerIs,,n
Neu,landg Purcell and Stone, Democrials.
9poat dpnay,nnt were made by Senator'S Jones
aIl,S n stnnc and against II by Senators
BAILEY. Hughes and Rayner d or
The opposition WAS on stons lns eGG'ien eonendeS
CONS ,,lynrf nj the amendment, as IL
,Sas ,or 'i,e IN accord accord with tho Democratic plat
form. a nIr u,rbcs who
-. - "a nero was no language IN the
a~ssor.eu ~ ,iatform in support Of tho pro
iJ,inn DehNei and none that would pardon or
excuse IL. a,a,drnent WAS en-
IL, re onntrary TO the spirit OF Demo-
Mi. Mr.. Newands Joined Mr. Stone mendmen, j, ent
con t ~. iinc o( the Denver PLATFORM.