Omaha daily bee. (Omaha [Neb.]) 187?-1922, 1910-06-05
RAILROAD IL PAST SENATE
Only Twelve Votes Against the Long
Debated Measure.
EFFECTIVE IN SIXTY DAYS
Bill Does Not Become Law Until
2 Two Months After President
signs It-HauI Provision
Prominent.

WASHINGTON. June 1.-The senate
passed the administration railroad bill at
9;55 o'clock last night 1t had been under con-
sideration for more than twelve weeks and
practically no other business except appro-
priatlon bills was considered in that long
period. Only twelve Votes-all OF those by
democrats-were recorded against the bill.
The practical unanimity with which the
measure was passed was due to the radical
changes made In the measure from the form
in which it. was drafted by Attorney Cen
eral Wickersham following numerous con-
feTences at the White House on the sub
Jset Of amending interstate commerce laws
Al Of the insurgents" who opposed many
features OF the original bill voted for it
tonight
Through the elimination of pooling and
merger sections and by reason of the adop-
,tlon Of many amendments in the interest
OF shippers, the progressive republicans
claimed to have won a signal victory, and
most of the democrats expressed themselves
as favorable to the large portion of the
measure.
Had It not been for the retention OF the
sections to create a court of commerce it is
likely that the vote for the bill would have
been unanimous. Debate ceased at $50
o'clock when Senator Elklns, chairman OF
the interstate commerce committee moved
take up the bill that was passed by the
house and. after striking out the body of
chat measure. to substitute the matter
agreed upon by the senate. In that form
the bill was voted upon. with the result
that il was passed by vote-of 50 TO II.
Republicans Vote solid.
No republican voted against the bill and
six democrats voted for it. They were
AISeu,c Civ Gore Payntnr
simmons and stone, The democrats
recorded against 1t were Messrs, Bacon,
Fletcher, Frazier hughes, Money, New
lands. Percy Purcell. Rayner, shively.
Smith OF Maryland and Smith of South
Carolina.
Just before the voting began Senator La
xvOlette, one of the insurgents" repuhli.
n. m leaders, served notice upon the senate
that unless the senate conferees made a
determined fight for retention of amend
ments procured by progressives and demo
Z Gratis, II could lot hope 10 approve the
Conference report.
Speeches in explanation Of their votes
were made by Senators Bacon, La Toilette
DolIlver Paynter CLAY, simmons and
Gore and brief remarks were made by
others,
The new law will take effect sixty days
Important Points,
The high spots" in the railroad bill as
It passed the senate may be described al
follows
The bill provides for the creation OF q
new court of commerce" for the con
sideIation exclusively Of appeals from
a orders OF the Interstate Commerce com
y mission. The court is 10 consist OF five
Judges, to sit in Washington Their power
are to be coordinate with the judges OF tn,
federal circuit court, to receive the sam
pay and emouments and are TO be ap
pointed in the first instance By the presl
dent for terms respectively OF one, two
three. four and five years Each as N
retires to take up the work Of circui
Judge, is to be succeeded by q designation
from tho circuit bench. these and othe
vacancies TO be filled By appointment b!
the chief justice OF the supreme court
Although the offices OF the court are i
be in Washington and regular sessions ar
20 be held here. provision is made for sit
ting anywhere in the United States. Tn
government. rather than the Interstate
Commerce commission. is made the defend
ant In all cases coming before the court
but the commission Is permitted to inter
yleAe, as are other interested parties. TIT
ayfense was placed under the direction o
the attorney general. but the commits
sion and Interested parties are permitted L
have counsel and to carry on the suit 4
case OF the failure OF the attorney genera
90 do so. Appeal may be taken to tn
supreme court
The long and short haul provision OF IN
present interstate commerce law would b
amended so as to permit greater eharg
for a short haul than for long haul, onl
with the consent of the Interstate Com
merce commission Especially prOyislol
is msdf against the fixing OF a lower rat'
for Skpurpose OF destroying water comp
ttloK
Rkiiroad companies are required