Daily press. [volume] (Newport News, Va.) 1896-current, 1910-06-15
IS MORE IN THE SHAPE
AS ORIGINALLY FRAMED
Conferees OF Lower Branch and
Senate Reconcile Differences on
Proposed Corporation Statute and
Rearranqe Provisions More to the
Liking Of the Prime Movers.


The conference report on the admin
istration railroad bill was presented
TO the senate at 1880 today by
Chairman Elkins of the senate com
mittee on interstate commerce IL was
laid before the house late in the day
but undar the rules it cannot be
acted upon by the house until disposed
of by the senate. 1t represented one
weeks work by confarees of the
senate and house in an effort to harm
oniZe the difficulties in thee bill snap
ed by the two branches OF congress
and nearly four months consideration
IN one or the other of the two
branches of congress. Al the request
of several senators the report went
ever until tomorrow. when an effort
will be made to procure its adoption.
The two Democratic cOnferaes did not
sign the report and Senator Newlands
gave notice today that he would
present a minority report
Follows Lines of House Bill.
Generally speaking the finished
work OF the conferees is declared 70
be satisfactory to the senate. al
though in large part it follows the
lines OF the house bill. A number OF
the amendments secured by insurgent
Republican senators. however, were
retained by the conferees. So far as
has been indicated the only objection
which may be raised in the senate TO
The adoption of the report relates TO
the action of the -conferees on adopt
ing the house provision on the sub
ject of long and short hauls.
The last amendment disposed of by
the conferees was that relating to the
period for which increases in rates
might be suspended by the commits
rion. The cOnferees accepted the
senate provision OF. ten months.
As finally perfected by the con-
ierees. the bill carries most of the
features of the original administra-
ton measure. except the sections TO
1ermit railroads to make pooling
agreements TO authorize the govern
ment to regulate by issuancesf stocks
and bonds and to permit railroad 10
purchase tlR remaining stock of
another line in which II already con-
trolls 30 per cent of the stock. So much
opposition developed in both houses
against these provisions that all, ex-
cept the securities section, were aban-
doned outright.
New Provision.
The ccnferees incorporated pro-
vision authorizing the President TO
appoint a commission TO investigate
questions pertaining to the issuance
H.
Expenditures by the commission are
limited to 5000. and IL was not
given authority to summon witnesses
or to compel the production Of books
snd papers. No time was fixed for
the making of report.
The bill as perfected. therefore. and
as likely to become law would
create a commerce court composed OF
i've judges. the first of whom are To
he selected by the President and
thereafter by the chief justice OF the
supreme Court.
This court will have Jurisdiction
over all sui;s brought 10 enforce or
set aside orders of the Interstate
Commerce Commission. In other
words. II would centralize the existing
sGthority and jurisdiction OF Circuit
Courts. IN matters affecting inter
state commerce.
Enlarge Commissions Power.
Other sections would enlarge the
mower Of the commission over rail
road regulations End practices and
place under The jurisdiction of the
commission. telegraph. telephone and
cable companies whether wireless or
not. and broaden the scope Of the
word railroad 50 - 10 extend tho FUR
.sd.cti5r cs the commission over
bridges. ferries and terminal facilities.
This extension Of power is regarded
as Of the utmost importance.
General provisions are made affect
Jog railroads TO compel them to fur
nish rates upon application and an
fhoriz, the commission % institute
inquiries. by provisions adopted b.
the house and returned by the con
fcrccs. the scope 81 the commission
20 make regulations was enlargi. u
j. also provided that a consicn1r CT
freight shall have the right 10 design
ate By which O. two or more through
routes his property shall be transport
cd 10 destination.
Differences Reccrcilcd.
The striking differences between