Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1910-05-14
ALL CLAIM VICTORY
Senate Factions Satisfied
With Vote on R. R. Bill.
BUT COURT MUST HAVE SAY
Hard to Figure Out Just What Haul
Amendment Means.
BURDEN Is ON THE RAILROADS
Another Point That Seems Settled Is
That There Will Be No Dead
Il lock With the House.
BUT COURT MUST HAVE SAY
BURDEN Is ON THE RAILROADS

&
"Who wins" seems TO be a moot qies-
tion between the radicals and conserv'-
tives OF the Senate over the compromise
on the long and short haul amendment to
the railroad bill adopted last evening
Senator Bacon. for the democrats. claims
that the conservatives made i right
about-face shift and accepted a propo-
sition which they had been fighting all
along Senator Elkins. in charge Of the
bill. says I'VE are happy Senator Hey
burn representing the contestants for
radical amendment, says the conserva-
1ives have Won
Senator Aldrich. the conservative leader,
is very well content. Indulging in taunt
to the opposition-a procedure rare with
the cautious Rhode Island senator-he
says "he laughs best who laughs last"
and plainly indicates that in his opinion
the laugh is on the other fellows.
Courts to Decide.
All admit that it will probably require
the courts to ultimately decide the true
meaning and scope of the amendment
adopted last night if it becomes law. In
the meantime the railroads will do busi-
ness at the same old stand and in the
same old way.
Two facts, however. seem to stand out
apparent to even the lay mind First.
that the amendment shifts the burden OF
contest from the shipp> RS to the railroad
companies. in contentious over long and
short haul rates. Second. that the adop-
tion OF the amendment lessons the likeIi-
hood of q deadlock between the House
and Senate over the railroad bill, and
makes more promising the possibility OF
an agreement among the confarees.
This is regarded as a very important
feature of the situation. Yesterday, with
what at the time seemed reasonable pros
pect of outright defeat of the long and
short haul amendment, legislators inter
ested in the bill foresaw possibility of
long struggle in conference.
The House is very inSiStent upon the
long and short haul amendment. Ii the
Senate had rejected it absolutely dead
lock between the two bodies was regard
ed inevitable. with the bare possi-
bility of the legislation being forced over
until the next session. That danger now
seems to be removed.
If both sides are satisfied with the
amendment, each faction claiming VIC
tory. 1t is not readily seen how the con-
ferees can fail to patch up some kind
of an agreement as to this section.
An Interesting Sidelight.
Reyerting to the question of which
side wins. an interesting sidelight is
thrown upon it by a colloquy which
occurred in open debate in the Senate
just before adjournment last night.
Bearing in mind that Senator Bacon
spoke for the democrats. Senators Elk
ins and Aidrich for the conservative
republicans and Senator Hepburn for
the advocates Of radical long and
short haul amendment. the conversation
explains itself.
.The senator is happy is he nOt?"
queried Senator Elkins. addressing Sem
ator Bacon
Absolutely so," replied Senator Ba-
"And we are happy" replied Senator
Elkins Then what is the trouble"
Il am very glad to know" began
Senator Bacon
"Now you know it, broke in Senator
Elkins.
II am glad to know Senator Bacon
went on to say. That senator's can be
made SO happy by SO small thing.
1T is a big thing" broke in Senator
Elkins.
That in moment of defeat" con-
tinued Senator Bacon, they can change
went on to say. that senators can be
ner they have been fighting for the past
Last Laugh Best"
HAS the senator ever heard of the
adage ,..at he laughs best who laughs
LAST" inquired Senator Aldrich, and a
moment later added that in his judg-
ment the amendment can be defended
upon the principles which he had been
advocating all the time.
Senator Hepburn then had his say,
voicing the lament of the defeated and
the disappointed
This is great day for the railroads,
he said. Their banner is flung to the
breeze. They have what they want, and
they got it by a coalition. 1 have no
doubt the rejoicing in their hearts Will
be very sincere when they learn of the
result OF the proceeding toiay.
And SO IL goes. When such eminent
doctors disagree the plain citizens will
have a fine time constituting the effect
Of the amendment adopted.
Senator Cummins, o.e of the most ear
nest advocates of the long and short hau
amendment, said today that in his opin-
question legislation favorable to the ad
Vocates of amendment of the present
law.
Change in Principle.
This amendment" he said. lis an al
solute change in principle from the one
i'll the old law, and requires the rail
roads TO satisfy the interstate commerce
commission that the rates are just ant
that, and that is what the amendment
does. Tne House bill simply gives tn.
commission authority to say when &
greater charge shall be allowed for
short haul but without affording any
rule guide. / have feared il woult
invalidate the section TO put il absolutel,
in the discretion of the commission to dt
this
The amendment adopted last evenin,
Is the equivalent of the Dixon amend
ment- In my judgment there is no diff
ference. The interstate commerce com
mission is given authority to take int,
account expressly competition by rail an,
by water.
The essential effect of the amendmen
is the same the Dixon amendment
that before the commission can give an,
authority to allow a greater charge 70
short haul than long haul Ii mus
fix all the rates involved, and those rate
must be just and reasonable"
Suffrage to Women in Norwav