The times dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1903-1914, 1910-03-17
.ATTEMP TO0H|DE
BEHIND.PR[S|D[N'1
e harges Made Against
Friends Of Railroad
Measure.
SHARP DEBAJ J'E
In The SENATE:
Aldrich Admits That Bill Can Be
Amended-Taft Criticized for
Alleged Efforts to Control
Action Of Congress-cunl-
minis Will Continue
Speech To-Day.
r. s

Speech To-Day.
Washington. D. c.. March 16.-In the
sharpest debate yet provoked in the
Senate on the administration railroad
DtIl. bitter criticisms OF the action OF
supporters OF the bill In trying TO put
the measure through without amend :
mcnt, elected from Senator Aldrlcn an
admission that the bill couId be amend
4 ed. a
d aaS n was oae ealas es
speech attacking tho bill. but not until
after fricnos OF the measure had been
accused OF trying to hide behind the
been drafted at his direction. For more
than two hours the President figured
in the discussion. and for time his
title. II not his namc, was banded
almost TO recklessness. In this portion
of tho debate. Senator's Aldrich. Bailey
Cummins. Root, Elkins and Bacon tg-
ured conspicuously.
provision referring to traffic agree
ments would render them legal With
out their submission to the commts-
sion #
He asserted there had been conspic-
uous silence in the committee on this
subject, and, thereupon. Mr.. Crawford
turned to Senator Aldrich. who Is a
81 ns aad hm
as to his interpretation OF the meaning
To Reverse Supreme Court.
The whole truth" INTERRUPTED Mr..
Bailey, before Mr.. Aldrich could reply.
rs that the intention OF the pro-
vision for the repeal Of the antitrust
law Is to reverse e, tho s Supreme Court
purpose Is TO take the railroads from
under the Supreme Court"
Mr.. Aldricf refuted the intimation
OF the Texas Senator, and from, this
to whether 1t had been the original
intention. to include the railroads In
the original Sherman antitrust bill.
Senator who had voted for. 1t. had the
slightest idea that the railroads wero
embraced within its terms:
But all the SAM e. YOU are now try.
Mr.. Bailey.
II beg pardon RESPONDED Mr.. =
drich. "but that Is not Tho Sen
atort from Texas is mistaken as to the
Senator from Iowa"
Mr.. Cummins would not admit that
he could be mistaken. sa
Senator Elkins undertook to refute
this contention by reading the pro-.
vision regarding the agreements, and
in 50 doing broadly. asserted that every
one must know that the railroads vio-
late the law every day. This asscr-
tion was challenged BY several Sena-
tors. but tho West Virginia Senator
held to his position. and asked ow.
why ombarrass he railroads?.
Minis. half under his breath.
Mr.. Elkins contended that even
though agreements were authorized by
the pending bill. the commission still
would have control OF rates. and even
more comprehensive control than un-
der the present law. ".
MIR. Aldrich referred to- a supposed
alliance between the "lnsurgent" He
after brief protest from Mr.. Cum
snins over this method OF presenting
che matter. the Rhode Island Senator
declared It to be his opinion that no
schedule Of the roads, whether under
,AEreement or not. could go into effect
without the approval Of the commits
sion. Z, +
blll.i i am perfectly Wiling to have it
made so,,n, said Mr.. Aldrich.i +;
Presidents Name Brought In.
The Presidents n anne was then
mins naGas sstili st liz was diseussins the terms
OF the alleged antitrust repeal, and
referring to some Of the provisions,
when Mr. Aldrtch stated L that .'such
ths puspese Of the Preside and
This statement brought Mr.. Nelson
to his feet with strenuous protest.
...The Senator must not hide behind
the President" he said &excitedly; 4; that
lis small business. and It wo MT do.
That is not the wayEto legislate.'' i
5 Mr.. Aldrich was also somewhat ex-
cited when he replied. He disavo> ed
any intention Of taking refuge ehind
any one. 55 4: :LS, 5 5sis sS 8S
what the President had wanted, but
only that the bill had been prepared
by the SAttorn ey-General.b by the direc-
ton of the Presid ent He again re-
liberated his 8indep as a Senator,
OF any outside interference s$ 4
st Mr.. Roo t call ed dattentionStoRthe pro-
vision Of the Constitution requiring
the President to recommend egislation
to Congress-, and he contended that the
esident'st action on the pending bill
had been In accordance with his Bpro-
Mr,aB Bacon took issue with Mr.. Root.
to the effect OF the unconstitutional re-
qulrement, declaring the recommenda-
ton OF egislation9 to he a s different
thing from Iund dertaking TO control the
faction OF Congress. .S8i is
Mr. Cumnlins will continue hts speech
to- -lnorr ow, i :5 3 Fl 5i5 rs II