The Washington herald. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1906-1939, 1910-06-19

The Taft railroad bill is now on
the statute books.
The measure was finally passed
by the House yesterday, and was
signed by the President at 10:l5
O'Clock last night.
The President found both the
administration railroad bill and the
Statehood measure, which also
went through the House on its final
passage yesterday afternoon, wait
ing for his signature in the White
House when he returned from his
trip to Pennsylvania.
The President was tired, but so
glad to find both these measures,
particularly the railroad bill, out OF
danger that he decided to sign it
without delay.
The railroad bill was over IN the
executive Offices, but the President
had it brought to the White House
proper and affixed his signature,
without any forrnality, in the pres
ence Of his secretary, and one or
two others.
TAFT VICTORY.
The Statehood bill will be signed to-
morrow.
With the exception of the Payne
Aldrich tariff law, these two measures
constitute the first big legislation to be
credited to the Taft administration.
The bill admitting New Mexico and
Arizona TO the Union caused hardly
ripple in the House procedure, going
through without even a record vote
on it.T
The railroad measure was passed with
almost equal ease, only a few Democrats
raising their voices in opposition
The Taft supporters in Congress were
elated over the success of the admins
tration In finally getting definite results
from Congress on these measures, and
the fact that they went through, backed
by many Democratic, as we'll as the solid
Republican vote. was taken as added rea-
son why President Taft was to be con-
graduated.
What Statehood Means.
now that President Taft is coming out
of the present session with his party
standing more solidly behind his meas
ures than it ever did on President Roose-
velts recommendations.
Under the Statehood bill that has finally
been sent TO the President. New Mexico
and Arizona can not be admitted to the
union until about November !, 1912, two
years and four months hence, according
10 the estimate of Chairman Hamilton, of
the Territories Committee The terri
tories, however, can go ahead this sum-
mer and elect delegates to constitutional
conventions.
The constitutions viii be sent to the
people of the territories on referendum.
then tSe constitutions will go to Con-
gress and the President for their ap-
proval.
1t took only short time for the House
10 concur in the Statehood Bill passed by
the Senate
The House already had passed a meas
ure of its own, but decided that the
Senate bill was better, and that time
would be saved by avoiding a conference.
Beveridge Is Happy.
Senator Beveridge. of Indiana, who had
ss-a
ate. was being congratulated yesterday
upon the outcome and appeared to be
almost as happy as Delegate Cameron.
Of Arizona, who has worked early and
late.
A few brief speeches were made in the
House before the conference report on
the railroad bill was accepted. One of
the speakers was Chairman Mann. of the
House Interstate Commerce Committee.
who had charge Of the bill for the House
He called attention to the fact that he
had been opposed TO agreeing TO the Sen
ate railroad bill on the ground that the
measure could be improved in confer
enee. He had promised that the meas
ure would be improved. and he felt that
he had kept his word ITO the House It
was apparent from me demonstration
that the House also believed that Mr..
Mann had done good job
Roar of ayes"
When the vote on the final passage OF
the railroad bill was taken, there was
grand roar OF AYE" Two OF three DEM
ocrats only voted against the measure,
and the voice OF Representative Adam
son, of Georgia. the senior minority mem
Der of the Interstate Commerce Commit
tee. was the only one distingushable in
the faint chorus of opposition.
The rest of the Democrats seemed TO
feel-and certainly voted their eonvic-
tions-that the railroad bill, as finally
passed, is a fairly good measure.
Baseball TO-da$, C9Iumkfa Tbeater
q .s4sc r7ro.-t H.....z