Alexandria gazette. [volume] (Alexandria, D.C.) 1834-1974, 1910-06-13
The Railroad Bill.

Washington, ID. G., June 10
When the conferecs on the railroad
bill went into session today it was with
the cheerful belief that an agreement
was near at hand. The committee
members expect to get their report 10
the Senate and House on Wednesday
or Thursday, and they are hopeful
that it will be so generally acceptable
that not much time will be required
for debate. Since the preceding meet
ing Senator Elkins, Representative
Mann and Attorney General Wicker
sham had been laboring TO reach an
agreement, and they reported progress
to Senator Aldrich. The hardest fight,
it was found, had occurred over the
long and short haul clause OF the
House bill. Mr.. Mann was most per-
sistent in demand that it be retained
in the measure. As Elkins was equal
ly strong against it, a solid deadlock
was the result. The fact that some
big attorneys declare that the provision
is unconstitutional, on the ground that
it attempts to confer legislative power
on the Interstate Commerce Commis-
SION may lead the Senate to accept 1t
and depend upon the courts to give 1t a
knockout Messrs. Elkins and Mann
have reached a tentative agreement
that the provision in section Is OF the
House bill, giving the Interstate Conn
mission authority to regulate prac-
tees, as well as rates, shall be re-
tanned. Attorney General Wickersham
is credited with having advised them
the thing is unconstitutional.
Physical valuation, which is pro-
vided for in the House bill will be
dropped out OF the conference report.
Mr.. Mann has made a gallant stand
for it, but in view of the concessions
he has secured on other important
points he may have to give in on that
matter.
The sections relating to the telegraph
and telephone companies viii be sim
piled in form, but, as common carriers,
they will be under the control of the
Interstate Commerce Commission.
The provision in the House bill that
the judges Of the Court of Commerce
shall be selected by all the justices Of
the Supreme Court will be retained.
So will the important sections in the
Senate bill placing upon the railroads
the burden of proof that a proposed
rate is reasonable and the Overman
amendment providing that it shall re-
quire three federal judges, instead of
one as at present, to issue an injunction
suspendng a state law. Mr. Elkins is
making a strong fight to bar out a sec
ton requiring railroads To furnish rea-
sonable facilities for through shipments.
Some Of the lines, he says, are unable
at times to meet the demands made
upon them and should not be made
subject to penalty on that account
1t has been decided that the report
shall recommend commission to con-
slider the regulation Of the stock and
bond issues by railroads, but the num-
Der of commissioners has not been
determined
President Taft held conference to-
day with the railroad bill conferees,
Senators Aldrich, Elkins and Crane,
and Representative Mann. They dis
cuSsed some Of the lesser details OF the
bill and went over to some extent the
! question Of the stock and bond pro-
vision There seems to be some doubt
as to the success Of this clause, as well
as of the provision for commission to
make report on the subject Presi-
dent Taft, however maintains his
original position and expressed his de-
sire that the commission, at least,
should be provided for If an investi-
CATION Is made it will cover, probably,
not only railroads but all general
utility corporations doing an interstate
business such as telephones and tele-
graphs. The commission will make its
report at the earliest opportunity sug-
costing legislation TO covei the ground
considered in the stock and bond pro-
vision. President Taft will have the
power Of appointment himself.
Senators Aldrich and Elkins with
Representatives Mann and Wanger re-
turned 10 the White House for fur
Their conference in the afternoon They
were closeted with the president for an
hour or more, and on emerging from
the executive Offices expressed the hope
! that an agreement between the con
ferees could be reached today Senator
Aldrich thought perhaps there might
be report at very early date, but
Representative Mann was not so certain,
although stating that an agreement was
practically assured