Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1910-03-31
RUSH RAILROAD BILL
Senate Getting to Work on the
Measure.
LIVELY DEBATES LIKELY
Big Speeches Expected-Root Wants
Amendment in Behalf of
Shippers.

With the presentation of amendments
to the administration railroad bill ano
the return of Senator Aldrich to the city
as the impetus, the consideration of the
measure now is expected to proceed rap
idly in the Senate. 1t is expected that 1t
will receive almost exclusive attention
until it finally is disposed of.
There are several big speeches to be
made on the bill before the cross-fre de-
bate on specific provisions and amend
rnents comes up, and each of these
speeches is expected to stir UP some live
ly discussions. Senator Root had ex-
pected to conclude his speech on the bill
yesterday afternoon, but the numerous
Queries put to him and the discussions
which they stirred UP made that i'm
possible, and he was compelled to let the
conclusion of his speech go over until
today.
Senator Root referred to the delays
caused by the Interruptions yesterday
afternoon by saying when Senator cum
Minis rose:
Il yield to the senator from Iowa. |
am we'll aware of the rule of the Senate
that the only person not entitled to speak
is the senator who has the floor
Not the rule of the Senate, but the
Joke on Root and Elkins.
Senator Curtis. who presided over the
Senate during the greater part of the
time Senator Root was speaking, enliven-
ed the deliberations of the technical bill
Senator Elkins. who Is in charge OF the
bill, slipped over near Senator Root and
began to whisper in Mr.. Roots ear, not
intending to speak to the Senate.
Does the senator from New York yield
to the senator from West Vigrinia p
asked Senator Curtis from the chair
Both Mr. Root and Mr.. Elkins looked UP
surprised and then joined in the laughter
that spread through the chamber
Mr. Root spoke CT the success of the
present railroad rate law, saying that the
president OF the greatest railroad cor
poration in his state had told him that he
would not turn his hand over to have the
law repealed, notwithstanding that when
the bill Of 1908 was before Congress
Washington had rung like boiler shop
the law might be 40 q whole, many con.
troyersies must arise in its administration
and for their adjustment there should be
an expert court, he said. =
Wants Shipper Represented.
UNFOLDING the provision or the law
making the government the defendant in
all appeals from the orders of the inter
state commerce commission, Mr.. Root
said that under the present law the ship.
per Is not represented. 4
The only change made was that OF
placing the conduct of the case In the
hands of the Attorney General. But he
thought that the bill should be so amend
ed as to permit the representation of the
shipper in all cases in which his interests
might be involved.
He commended that the Attorney General
would be compelled to defend all orders
of the commission. The Attorney Gen.
eral was no judge, he would have no dis
erection but to proceed with the case IN
the courts He thought that all of the
law business of the government should
be conducted by the Attorney General.
He assumed that II the bill should be-
come a law q special deputy would be
designated by the Attorney General to
deal with railroad cases just as one now
is selected to conduct cases before the
Court of Claims. He thought the sense
Of duty of the Attorney General could
always be depended upon.
"If we cannot trust him then we may
abandon ALL he said. Reliance would be
in VAIN
Senator Root thought the provision i'm
posing on the Attorney General the duty
Of enforcing the law one OF the hes
features of the bill. Somebody must b.
relied upon to enforce the law and nc
one could be more properly trusted thar
the law officer Of the government.