Bonners Ferry herald. [volume] (Bonners Ferry, Idaho) 1904-current, 1910-06-25
CONGRESS BUSY DAY
STATEHOOD AND RAILROAD
BILLS BOTH PASSED.
House Made Short Work of Those In
portant Measures Saturday-Demo-
Gratis Approved Report on Railroad
Bill but Were Silent on Others-Both
Bills Are Taft Recommendations.

President Taft has signed the railroad
bill. The measure, as had the state
hood bill, had been passed by the house
and sent Immediately to the White
House. The president did not sign the
statehood bill Saturday.
Two of the most important of the
administration measures, the railroad
and the statehood bills, thus were acted
upon finally by congress Saturday.
This action was taken by the house,
the senate having previously disposed
of both measures. 1t was accomplished
practically without debate and in rec
ord time, not even a roll call being re-
quired in the whole procedure.
The railroad bill was the first to re-
ceive consideration. Chairman Mann of
the committee on interstate and foreign
commerce called the conference report
from the speaker IS table. Brief speeches
were made, among them being several
by democrats in expression of their op
position to the report.
Final action on statehood Legislation
was accomplished with even greater
ease. By reason of pressure from the
White House and aided by some dip
lomatic work by Postmaster Genera
Hitchcock, opposition to the acceptanc,
of the senate amendments to the state
hood bill was almost entirely dissipated
The democrats were induced to foreg,
objection through judicious circulation
of a report that if the bill went int
conference it might not emerge durin,
the present session. Chairman Hamil
ton of the house committee on terri
, tories at once realized that the onl,
way. to put the Legislation through ant
not delay the present session was t
agree to the senate amendments an
welcomed the administration 8 assist
} ance.
1t can not be stated definitely whe
I Arizona and New Mexico will come int
4 the Union under this legislation.
1 requires that the constitutions adopte
by the proposed states must be rattle
: by congress and approved by the pres
! dent.
J. Conceding that the statehood bill wi
be in force within few days it wi
s. be necessary for the territories to hol
constitutional conventions, which wi
l. require many weeks, submit the CO.
. stitution to the people of the territori'
q for adoption, and then return them
D. Washington.
Provides Against Joint Elections.
Provision is made against joint ele
tions for the. adoption of the constit
tion and for the nomination or electiC
of state officers. 1t is impossible, Their
10 fore, to specify when the people of t
two territories will enjoy the benefits
ID statehood and many believe that it W
RS not be before the presidential electi
ie of 1912.
VS. The railroad bill is substantially
accordance with the president Is mi
o. sage demanding amendments to t
CO interstate commerce laws. About t
~ only exceptions are that it does L
-, legalize holding agreements made
~ railroads, permit mergers or reguls
in the issuance Of stocks and bonds.
y Creates Commerce Court.
II. 1t creates a commerce court a
he broadens the scope Of the jurisdicti
h of the interstate commerce commissi
IL regarding railroads.
nd 1t also brings telegraph, telephc
70, and cable companies within that jul
po diction. Supervision is given to
Ia. commission over increases of rates, q
re. this section, as well as one maxi
ad provision for the investigation of I
IT. stock and bond question, will go il
'p- effect Immediately upon the bills
ing signed. Other provisions, and I'll
are extensive, will take effect witt
'ut 60 days from the day of approval.