Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1910-03-18
Two. Hours Conference
Upon Railroad Bill.
Sharp Controversy Between
Cummins and AIdIich.
Ship Brokers Oppose Senator
Frye's Shipping Bill.


and Attorney General Wickersham
conferred for two hours after the ad
journment of the Senate today That
a number Of changes viii BILE urged as
a result of this conference was ad-
mitted tonight
The senator's in the conference all
declined TO say what amendments had
been agreed upon. Probably the most
important of the notifications consid-
cred is that which would give the in
terState commerce commission undis-
puted control of the conference of traf-
fc agreements between railroad COM
panies.
Other suggestions look to amend
ment. permitting shippers to be rep
resented by counsel before the pro-
posed court of commerce and so chang
ing the provision in relation to water
carriers as to make it conform with
the present law.
Senator CumminS concluded the
third section Of his discussion of the
bill and was about to enter upon the
consideration of the section regulating
mergers when the Senate adjourned.
he was on his feet for two hours The
most interesting portion of today's
| proceedings CONSISTED OF a relteratlOn
by Senator Aldrich of his position with
reference to the power to be given
the Interstate Commerce Commission
over agreements between railroads.
Cummins reverted to this question,
saying he understood that the Rhode
Island senator indicated yesterday
that he was in practical concurrence
with him.
Aldrich replied and assuming that
Aldr!ch meant to accept his view in
substance Cummns was preparing to
| pass TO another point, when Aldrich
said that he had been misunderstood.
| DOCS not the senator from Iowa I'M
derstand that there is an impossible
gulf between himself and the senator
| from Rhode Island? asked Nelson, who
pointed out that Aldrich thought the
pending bill sufficient, while Cummins
demanded a change of the language.
Mr.. Cummins admitted the existence
OF such gulf and expressed the fear
that it never would be bridged. He
afterwards expressed hope that AID
rich would consent to preserve what is
good and reject what is bad i'm the
BILL Vain hope" calculated Bailey.
While Cummins was discussing the
| changes made in the original draft of
the bill as prepared in New York last
August, Aldrich said Cummins him
self was among the persons who were
called into consultation by the Pres
Ide1t. Cummins replied that he would
not undertake to explain the confer
ence.
In vain did Bailey urge the interest
| that would attach to a full revelation
of what had occurred. He knew. he
sad, that Fll1inS and Cummins were
| there, but he was anxious to know
whether Aldrich was also present
Aldrich replied that he was not at
the conference. II must be silent as to
TIE meeting" said Cummins, Il do not
Ike to recall painful memories"
Washington, March 1.-THE Senate
committee on commerce granted q hear
ing today on Senator FIR. es bill to pro-
vide for the carrying of all supplies for
Panama canal construction in government
owned vessels or American vessels char
tered by the government The bill was
| opposed by numerous ship brokers VINO
| represented owners of foreign vessels
A strong argument for the bill was
made by Winthrop l.. Marvin of Boston
| former secretary of the congressional
merchant marine commission. He said
that American vessels were being driven
out of the West Indies and Caribbean
trade and that unless this measure was
passed there would be no American yes
sells to ply between the east and west
coasts of the United States by the time
the isthmian canal was opened.
Washington, March IA measure re-
curing ocean going steamers carving 80
or more persons to be equipped with eff
ficient apparatus for radio communication
| which shall be capable of transmitting
and receiving messages over a distance
OF at least 100 miles, was favorabIy re-
ported to the Senate today from the COM
mittee on commerce. Penalties are pro-
vided for failure to comply with the pro-
| visions of the measure.
| Washington. March 1.-THE reference
of bill prohibiting the killing of seals
on and adjacent to the Pribylof islands
in the Pacific. precipitated a heated de-
bate in the Senate today during which
Senator Root vigorously objected to the
matter going to the committee on the
conservation of natural resources
Mr.. Root said that negotiations with
Great Britain We're in progress at present
which rendered it most important that
the foreign affairs committee. which has
had the subject in hand, should continue
to exercise its supervision.
| I'VE are face to face with the certain
fact said Mr.. Root, that the necessary
result will be destruction of the seal herd
and the only way to bring it to an end
is by international negotiations and
agreement
Washington, March list. Patrick s
day was referred to by Chaplain Coudon
today when he opened the session of the
House with the Invocation. We thank
Thee" the chaplain prayer, that good
men do live TO inspire. ennoble and puri-
~ those who come after them that to-
l day the name of Ireland's patron saint
: Will be hallowed in the hearts of men,
irrespective of race or creed, in recog-