New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1910-03-17
HOT SENATE FIGHT
INSURGENTS .fTT.fCk
ADMINISTRATION.
Aldncb. Root and EIkiRs Re-
ply-RailrOGd Bill Can
Be amended.
Be .fmcndod



ate to-day made clear the purpose ~ the
so-oaIlcd Republican insurgents 10 con-
tnue theiT attacks on the TAFT admin
lsfration. Senators Aldrich. Elkins and
Root took up fho cudgels for tho admin
lstrntion. and sharply disputed the
charges and insinuations 81 thc insur-
SCENTS and tho Democrats thai thc nresi-
sent and his Attorney General are seek
lng a. undermine ihc Tllins act and 20
reverse Ilc policy ~ tho last administra-
tion FOR effective federal controi 81 inter
state carriers. For hair sn hour or more
the debate Was fast and furious. I'm many
respects being similar 10 the bitter dis
sussions which We're ~ frequent occur
rence when the tarif bin was before the
Senate.
An interesting feature ~ the debate
V-as ar Aldrich's confirmation - a
settlement attributed yesterday 10 Puesi-
cent Tart, that he does not expert the
interstate commerce bin 10 pass without
tho dotting ~ an "a" or Tho crossing ~
q 81" ar. Aidrich declared that the
Republican Senators ia favor 90 tho leg
isl6tion would support amendments 40
strengthen and clarity the bin. lie took
Issue With Senators Cummins and Balley
thaf Section :. Tslating 20 traffic agree
rnents between carriers would enable
railroads 10 l,ut into effect without tho
approval OF tho interstate Commerce
Commission schedules 81 rates and clas-
slfcatiens Iie declared that a reading
OF fho section did not warrant this con-
sirncfion. AZ the language was not clear
ana specific, he would favor an amend
ment which would make IL certain that
schedules agreed upon should not he
conc effective until approved 10y The
commission.
Senator Railey asked n the hin did not
except interstate common carriers from
prosecutions under she sherman anti
trust act
No, Il does not" replied Mr.. Aldrich.
and II the languagc on this point is not
specifc enough I shall certainly favor
making IL clear and uneQulvocsl"
The Fireworks Begin.
y was nor uutn late in The afternoon
thar Senator Cummins's speech on the
bin was intersporsed with interesting
oollocuies. Earlier in the day the IONA
senator talked 40 a small and somewhat
nattontive senate when Do reached
section :, retailing 10 traffic agreements.
tho fireworks began. and presently the
debate took political turn which
aroused fhe keenest attention on The
foor and in tho galleries. IN the course
ri coiloQuy with Mr. Aldrich a sta:o-
ment was made by ar. Cummins that
proving the interstate commerce law and
that d. WINS now trying 10 prevent its
snlasculation. when he charged that fhe
-icsr plrDoso ~ Soction was 20 repeal
fhc anti-trusi act respecting traffic
ssueemruts. and that it's effect would ls
To leEalizo agreements which had born
declared I'M Eaalsai on - law by the SUI
rreme court, Ml. Aldrich asked il De
thought abe preFidcnt and thc Attorney
General had Tins in view when they
reeommendod The bin for passage. ~.
'ummins replied that De knew tho At
toinsy General had this in vicw. for he
wrote tho bin
Senator Nelson Wartcd 10 know Vsv
Seotion Z excepted from fh, provisions
az the sherman act traffic agreements
hled with the Interstate Commerce Conn
mission
MI. Aldrich was IN Tho midst II "a re-
ply In which ha was stating thaf 1la
Minnesota Senator would have 10 ask
thf President and the Attorney General
Tor Information 81 h. was looking for
motives when Dir. Nolson brusquely in
terrupted 10 say that "thc senator from
Rhode Island must NOT hide behind the
President Rnd tic Auornev General %
7Fities ~ tho bin. Mr. Nelson said would
expect friends OF Tho measure IN iha
senate 70 support and explain is pro-
visions
Bill Open 70 Amendment.
ar. Aldrich said that everybody I,D.U,
that tho Interstate commerce bin hsd
been drafted by the Attorney General At
fha request ~ the President. Tho meas
uye was now before Tho senate far ac-
non. Conditions in The committee ,vere
18th thar il could NOT hc amended there.
ed y was now open 20 amendment on
no noor.
Senator RaCon thought tho President
nd invaded the domain ~ the legisa-
tive branch of tho government in send
irt 20 tho senate tho text ~ hin with
81 implied threat and intimatad shat
ssaatOrs who did not support II would
- denied patronage
pr. Aldrich resented thc suggestion
fist patronage would ic withhold from
stnatoTE who failed 20 support tho hin.
member OF the senate. ne said would
r'eent more strongly than himself eNecu-
fi,c dictation. Ie cid not intend 10 sur
reedor HE 3udgment or Independence 10
tls President "r 10 anybody else and
tlt friends ~ the legislation did not ask
Ssnators - vote Cor only those pro-
tions ~ thc hin which were stamped
rFh The brand - White House approval.
Dr. Bacon thought ID strange. then.
"a Nj Aldrich continually reiterated
statement thar The bill Was the Pres
dents measure
At this juncture senator Root made =
s'kri reply 20 the criticisms of SIR. Ra-