The San Francisco call., 1910-05-25
MAY COMPROMISE
ON RAILROAD BILL
Senate Discusses Martins Plan
TO Increase Suspension
Limit to Six Months
Regulars Join Democrats in Ef-
fort to Defeat the Cum
MINIS Amendment

WASHINGTON, May 24.-whether
the railroad bill shall prohibit fatty
increases in railroad rates without ap-
proval of the interstate commerce com
mission or shall extend to six months
the time during which the commission
may suspend increased rates, was the
question before the senate when it adj
journed today.
The session was devoted to argu-
ments in favor of the Cummins pro-
vision by its author and by Senators
Borah and Dolliver.
the time during which the commission
may suspend rates for investigation
was made by Senator Martin.
The regular republicans probably
will insist upon having the Martin sug-
gestion put in different form.
During Borah's speech he was taken
to task by Aldrich for quoting from
the Des Moines speech of President
Taft to show that the president thought
rate increases should not take effect
without sa atisfying he commission of
their reasonableness.
Aldrich said while he recognized the
right of the president to make sug-
gestions to congress. he did not believe
il proper to bring in his unofficial ut
terances to influence legislation.
The hit bird always futters," re-
piled Borah.
Aldrich did not reply.
For the purpose of defeating the
Cummins amendment to the railroad
bill the regular republicans have agreed
with the democrats in the senate that
they will increase to six months the
time in which the interstate commerce
commission must pass on increases in
rates fixed by railroads.
The bill originally fixed the limita-
tion at so days and later this was in
creased to 120 days.
Shippers Show Fight
OMAHA, Neb., May 24.-Prompt and
vigorous action to prevent the increased
freight rates proposed by western
railroads was decided upon by a meet
ing of the representatives of the ship
pers interested in the trade of the Mis-
souri, river territory here today.
Charles k. Elgutter, attorney for the
Omaha traffic bureau, outlined the two
methods he said were open to the ship
pers in their efforts to prevent the pro-
posed rate increase. both of which he
declared should be adopted.
The attorney general of the United
States should be asked to proceed
against the roads who have Joined IL
antitrust law.
At the same time application fol
relief should be made to the interstate
commerce commission pending its in
vestigation of the reasona bleness of the
rates an injunction should be secured
from the district court to prevent the
rates being put into effect June /.
A resolution was adopted providing
for the appointment of a committee t
carry ont the ulan outlined by Elgutten
Express Charges Reduced
TOPEKA, Kan, May 24.-Sweepins
reductions in express charges wer'
ordered today by the state railroad
/ commissioners The board ordered
! decrease of u per cent on all merchan
disc rates where the rate per hundred
pounds is in excess of 81 and a reduc
tion of 15k per cent on all genera
special rates where the rate is in ex
/ cess of 80 cents per hundred pounds
A reduction of SO per cent on ship
ments of parts of agricultural imple
ments was ordered.