The Washington times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1902-1939, 1910-05-13
Expected Paragraph Will Be
Disposed of Before Ad-
Journment Today.
REGULARS DIVIDED,
BUT HOPE TO WIN
Democratic Votes Counted On TO
Give Measure
Majority.

The Senate today expected. before ad-
5ournment tonight, TO dispose Of the
bitterly cCntrOverted Iong-and-short-
haul paragraph IN the railroad bill This
VIII remove one Of the most difficult,
problems in connection with the bill nd
win be long step in the direction OF
completing its consideration.
In accordance with the agreement OF
yesterday, the Senate arranged 10 begin
20 vote on the various amendments 90
the proposed long-and-short-hauI clause
section at I o'clock this afternoon
The voting ard consideration Of amend
ments was expected to last until late i1
the evening. and fl was regarded az
possible a recess would have TO be taken
until Saturday before a final vote could
be reached II was agreed 10 vote
finally on the Iong-and-short-hauI Ques-
uon before Adjournment on the legisla-
tive day Of Friday
The Senate met a. noon, and as soon
as the morning business was out Of the
way. entered once more on the discus
siCn Of the ong-ald-short-hauI clause
This has clused the Senate to split along
lines entirely new, 20 far as the railroad
bill is concerned
Both Parties Divided.
among themselves with reference 10 Il.
and 50 are the Democrats. one Of the
unusual spectacIes presented is that OF
Senator SmOOC as a leader in fight for
legislation against which Senator AID
rich IS protesting such regulars as
Carter. Custis, and Guggenheim are ex-
pected TO break away FROM the AIdrich
forces on this question.
The regulars expect 70 win, but
they expect 70 do il by Democratic
votes The word has gone round
. that Senator Aldrlch Is assured OF
enough Democratic votes on this ques-
ton. 50 that some OF the Western
Senators. who generally line I'D on the
side Of the old Organization, viii be per
( E1ftt5G 90 vote as their localities want
senator AIdrIch and the old leaders
change IN the law as TO long and short
haul They fear Il would benefit the in
terror cities AZ the expense OF the coast
cities
Early Vote Expected
Indications are that when the long and
short haul question IS out OF the way
the bin yin Do pressed with more ex-
1 petition thar heretofore The Senate
VIII meet Al y O'Clock daily. beginning
Monday. and this VIII tend 20 hasten
the fnaI passage Of the measure.
ator EIklns 20 get an agreement for a
vote on the passage of the bill Sen
ator Cuuuius objected and said he
would not consent until the geHtlemen's
agreement had been carried out TO dis
pose Of all the amendments OF The ma
jCrity OF the committee, then 10 dispose
OF the amendments Of the minority or
the committee, and then 20 follow with
the considefation Of the amendments Of
Individual Senators
1 " exchanged Of an agreement TO vote on
passage OF tire bill June J.
The capitalization sections OF the bill
are still in he air Senator Aidrlch said
on the fc5r II had not been decided
what vvOul[ be done as 70 these IN
/ surgents dc cIa-ed the fight against these
Z sections as they stand would be made
Z so hot the regulars would be glad 20 drop
them
Provisions OF Clause
The original interstate commerce
f! act contains the words under sub
stantiaIIy similar circumstances and
conditions This so-CalIed -'Joker'
gave the railroads Hcense to decide
regarding circumstances and condi-
tons and charge whatever disCrimi-
! -atorv rates were necessary to build
/ uD one city at the expense Of another
I The evil is declared to have steadily
/ grown for twenty-seven years.
] Seven amendments relating TO the
/ long and short clause are pending
Some OF these arbitrarily eliminate the
I alleged "ioker,' leaving section ( OF
[ the organic act containing them IN
/ changed
II is held that this would be unconstf-
( tutionaI, as they must be elasticity in
{ the provision. The Dixon amendment,
I on which the first vote was to be taken,
/ IS elastic in that Il gives the Interstate
/ Commerce Commission power to per
NIT the charging Of lower rates for
/ longer hauls. when there is such water
/ competition as TO make the reduction
: necessary
The first speaker today was Senator
/ Hepburn He discussed the difference
) between the amendment he has present
I'd and the amendment Of Senator Dixon,
! and urged the adoption Of his own
} His amendment IS a simple prohibition
Z against railroads charsing more for a
. -I1o--t haul than a long haul
/ Senator Hepburn cOntended his amend
! rre1it was much 70 be preferred, as II
would not involve carrying every dis
! putad sase TO the courts. and would not
/ eCuire years Of litigation to obtain an
I Interpretation