Evening journal., 1910-05-04
.TAFT'S BILL
KNOCKED OUT
Regulars CritiCiSing the Pres
ident Because Of His
Absence
PHYSICAL VALUATION
WILL CAUSE DEBATE
By UnIled Pre.s Loasod sneelal WIre.

BY United Press Leased Special Wire.
WASHINGTON, May 4-Cabinet |
members and other officials Of the Taft
regime are angry, disappointed and
chagrined to-day at the destruction Of
the Administrations railroad bill-the
prize pet creation of the inner circle,
and declare that the emasculation Is in
direct violation of the platform
promises Attorney General Wicker
sham was the chief author Of the bill.
but he was actively aided by Chair
man Knapp fthe Interstate Commerce
Commission and Secretary OF Com
merce and Labor Nagel
II is understood to-day that the ORR
gnal plan was to ito strike balance"
with the railroads by which the bill
should include the provision for the
absorption Of one road by another when
50 per cent Of the stock was already
owned on the other side of the
scales was to be the physical valu-
alton" proposition, which is so much
desired by the Interstate Commerce
Commission.
This little arrangement has utterly
disappeared. First the physical valu-
alton" feature was eliminated from the
bill Then the absorption feature was
removed. Then the House re-establish
ed the physical valuation" feature as
an amendment and upon II heavy
fighting is expected.
| Fight Over Physical Valuation.
Suggestion Of the physical valu-
alton of railroads as an amendment TO
/ the Taft Ellsins bill in the Senate to-
/ day brought up visions of about 30
| days Of debate It has been inserted
In the House railroad bill and IL is
being awaited with fierce emotions by
friend and foe in the Senate. only
the tariff offers larger range for views
pro and con. Physical solution Of a
railroad means an appraisement Of its
actual. real property, lands, tracks.
buildings, shops and rolling stock II
does not consider good viii franchise
value or the value Of stocks and bonds
issued by the company. Such a report
would be of great service TO the Inter
satte Commerce Commission in de
termining upon rates just to the people
and yielding a fair profit 10 the railroa'
company on its actual investment.
= Putting Blame on Taft.
. While President Taft goes yachting o
, the placid lake Of amusement, his prC
gram drifts like a dorolict upon storm
legislative seas; shot up. wave-swep
leaking and ready to sink.
Blame for the distressing condition q
anairs is openly being placed by tho rcgu
lars at the door Of the President The
rage because he has not only been indiner
ent to the situation I'm Congress. but tha
he seems to have no sense Of responsibility
for the troubles that have come on tn
party
When the President being called a
Pittsburg over the Long Distance tele
phone, lightly answered that the wreck
ing Of the railroad bill could he charged
10 the insurgents. the leaders OF the regu
lars were In mood to throw up their hand
and surrender the entire legislative pro
gram. Then Tafts smiling suggestion
Some kind Of bill'' could be passed ad
ded TO their discouragement. They hav
been reused 10 the pitch Of declaring tina
they will read the riot act to Taft whe
he gets back to town. lie will be told o
his share Of responsibility for Legislation
or lack OF II that will make up the recor
OF his administration and that IL the part
bills are to be passed ne must remain a
. home and fight for them.
5 The regulars have often expressed dis
. approval OF the Taft iaunts that have ker
n him away from the capitol during larg
j part Of the session. While legislation wa
p in its early stages. however his absenc
2 had no serious effect, but the fact tha
e he was not at hand when the crisis cam
K In the consideration Of the railroad bi
decided the regulars 10 call for a sho'
d down. They felt that II he had been her
. to exert pressure on near-insurgents n
! railroad bill might have been saved
presentable form.