Watertown leader. [volume] (Watertown, Jefferson County, Wis.) 1909-1911, 1910-06-03
CONGRESS IN SESSION.
In the Senate.


requiring the approval of railroad rates
by the interstate commerce commission
before they become effective. 1t also
adopted an amendment providing for six
months extension of the 12O days sus
pension of new rates and regulation in
case the hearing is not concluded with
in the time. The Capitalization provi-
sions were stricken from the bill.
The Senate failed on the 9th to reach
a final vote on the railroad bill. Senator
Dixon moved an amendment placing tele-
graph and telephone lines under the
jurisdiction of the interstate commerce
commission. This provision had no
sooner been adopted, though in different
form, than Senator Brown of Nebraska
ohered an amendment prohibiting rail-
ROADS from acquiring control of compet-
ny Hhes under a penalty. Unwilling
- accept 50 important an amendment
WIthout more opportunity for considera-
ton, the Senate adjourned.
Ihe Senate on the 2Sth laid aside the
faHfoad bIll to listen TO a personal ex-
planat0n by Senator LOrimer Of Illinois
OF the charges of corruption in connec-
ZION with his election. He made general
GENIAL OF the accusations and introduced
a resolution directing the committee on
privileges and elections to make an in
VeStlgatlon. The resolution was referred
70 inc committee on contingent expenses
The remainder of the day was devoted TO
eulogles on the life of the late Represen-
tatlve James NJ. GriGgs Of Georgia.
With the exception OF the adoption of
an amendment (0ffered by Mr.. Cummins}
shifting t. railroad companies the burden
of proving the reasonahIeness Of increases
IL rates. and tie rejection OF the Brown
amendment prohibiting the consolidation
OF competitive railroad lines the Senate's
consideration of the railroad bill on the
3lst was confined to discussion.
During the day Senator CunmIns took
occasion to an lounce that he and other
progressive senators would vote for the
bill a. amended.
Early in the day Senator Owen deliv-
cred a set speech in support of his reso-
luton for the election of senators by di-
rect vote of the people
The Senate made material progress
with the railroad bill on the list. adopt
ing several amendments and rejecting
others. Among the provisions accepted
We're two by Senators Simmons and Bur
ton prohibiting railroad companies from
reducing rates to destroy water competi-
ton. An amendment suggested by Sen
atCr Burton imposing penalty of 5000
upon carriers for divulging information
concerning shipments also was accepted.
An amendment by Mr.. Bailey re-enact-
ing the commodities clause Of the Hep
burn act was rejected. Mr. Bailey free
ly criticised the supreme court. Sena-
tor La Follette's physical valuation
amendment also was voted down.
In the House
Because the President exceeded his
travelling expense allowance of $4,000
voted by Congress for the present fiscal
wear and the committee on apprOpria-
tons sought to meet the deficiency by
making the appropriation for next year
Immediately available" the House on
int 4 oh To
Chairman Tawney offended several Dem
ocrats by suggesting that the President
had made his extended western and
southern trip largely upon the urgent so
licita ton Of Democrats Of the House.
Several Democrats m;rle angry retorts
and the motion was defeated
The House on the 9th twice rejected
amendments by Mr.. keliher of Massa-
chuSetts to authorize canteens at SOL
dlers' homes where such institutions are
within five miles of town or city in
which the sale of liquor is authorized
1t appropriated $1,5O0,000 for state and
territorial homes for disabled soldiers
and sailors and refused to move from
New York city to Washington or any
where else the board of managers of the
national homes for disabled volunteer
soldiers
The House devoted virtually the entire
day on the 18th to consideration of the
sundry civil appropriation bill Led by
Democrats it curtailed the appropriation
for the protection of the public domain,
cutting in half the amount authorized to
be used IN bringing the work up to date,
and prohibited the use of any of the
money to meet the existing sufficiency.
The bill was not completed.
In the House nearly the entire session
on the 31st was consumed by Il discus
sion relating to appropriations to make
effective recent legislation creating bu-
reau of mines and mining. Up to the
time of adjournment S4SS.000 had been
appropriated for this purpose.
The entire session of the House on the
LIST was occupied by discussion of the
administration biz providing for new
civil government for Porto Rico. Dem
ocrats opposed the measure, claiming
that it provided a less representative
government than was now enjoyed by
the people of Porto Rico under the For
aker act. Resident Commissioner Lar
rinaga declared that majority of the
Porto Ricans preferred the present law
governing the islands to that proposed
by the administration bill. The bill will
be considered again next Wednesday.