The Birmingham age-herald. [volume] (Birmingham, Ala.) 1902-1950, 1910-05-15
BOTH SIDES CLAIM THE
VICTORY IN RECENT FIGHT
Taft Is Perfectly Satisfied With Long
and short Haul Clause of Bill
While Insurgents and DEM
Ocrats Are Also Pleased
ashington, May tspecialo-If SEN

Aldrlcn can devise a plan Thai VIII
4 create too much opposition, con-
! Geration of the railroad bill is to be
Expedited. Senator Crane set about to-
day seeing how far. the progresslves
would go in the direction of meeting the
regulars half way. He got little en-
eouragement. No expression as to the
probable continuance of. the debate could
be obtained. The progressives were urged
to Intimate what it was they still would
demand, and upon what matters they
would continue to fight; If they would
make any concessions If concessions were
offered on a mutual basis. The amount
of information Mr.. Crane obtained along
that line was not Illuminating to the gen.
sral situation. Mr.. Hale. when he urged
Friday that the Senate adjourn over un-
I'll Monday, replied to Mr.. Clay that he
believed such action would tend to expe-
dite the bill.
Today. after luncheon Senators Cum-'
Minis Clapp, Bristow and Borah gathered
In Mr. Clapps room to discuss the situa-
ton. They assert no postponement was
agreed on, although they professed that
q good deal of comfort was Obtained out
of the result on the long and short haul
amendment agreed to yesterday.
Talking on the coming weeks struggle,
the amendments that will be contended
for were considered in detail. The Cum
minis amendment to section 9, providing
for the approval of the interstate COM
merce commission of every increase in
rates before such increases shall become
efrective, will be fought for to the bitter
end This is practically the same amend
ment that was voted down at an earlier
aaage of the proceedings after two weeks
OF debate. The Indications are the whole
subject will have to be threshed out
again.
Commerce Court Attacked
The creation of the commerce court Is
to be attacked again. The opposition
from the progressfves is pronounced. II
they lose this fight they will bring their
batteries to bear upon the provision plac-
ing in the hands of the Attorney Gem
eral the control Of all litigation before
that court and before the supreme court.
This, they contend. weakens the whole
structure of the bill. although shippers
already have been given the right to be
represented in an amendment adopted
some weeks ago
Sections 13, IA and A15, relating to capi-
tslization. as now before the Senate are
TO be antagonized. Several substittes for
the pending provisions have been sbmit-
ted. Progressiyes today claimed that
these sections as written by the AttogRey
General have the effect of limiting rail-
road construction on the strong lines and
operating to the disadvantage of those
that are. struggling to obtain footing
where they will pay expenses at least
One feature Of these sections which the
nh of
the exemption that allows electric lines
20 capitalize that system to any extent
desired, thereby accomplishing by indi-
rection what directly the proposed law
would prohibit. Mr.. Cummins has an
amendment to this provision, but 1t does
not meet with the approval of majority
n the progressives. They say it is not
aoxible enough. In the next breath they
admit that too much f1exibility opens the
door to evils.
Valuation of Roads
An amendment providing for the physi-
cal valuation of railroads is likely to be
onered. Such an amendment has passed
tne House. That phase of the bill has
been left to Mr.. LaFollette and he has
not yet advised his colleagues what he in
tends to do. 1t was claimed on behalf of
Mr.. LaFollette today that every amend
ment SO far inserted In the bill during
the debate In the Senate that radically
In
wolves propositions advocated bv NJ Ts
toilette during the nrht fonr y.ors 80.
for the enactment Of the original n,sssD
ure
The provision for the control ~ IN.
capitalization and physical valuation were
sugxested by Mr.. iaFoIlette at that to-
and these are the only two Of the ..rads.
CAL propositions of four wears aro
Attorney General Wickersha n, tod.s,
pressed the opinion that the lone ara
short haul Amendment insertad h, ~
Senate IN the railroad hill vesterdav y No -
tically leaves the matter WHARF r. 80 -.
under existing laws. The onlv difyerercs
Is that the burden Of proof that ~
charge for a short haul r. rea.oroh, =
shifted to the shoulders of tba rsi1rnsas
II Il true. perhans. also that the amerd.
,nent made more def,nita tho rsrbt - ~.
interstate Commerce commissinn 70 svsre
ciso furisdiction in the mattsr ~ Hxi7,e
rates for long and short bsuls E,,t that
anv practicai bensf5ts viii sccrre to ',,s 4hs
nuh,ic fhrongh tho oneration ~ the
smendrnant is not he,,evsd 'ne
(. =
TAFT L. Satisfied