Arizona republican., 1910-03-19
 BY CUMM|NS |0f Statement Of Objection To Administration Bill
 CONSOLIDATION FEATURE
Regarded By Him As Its Principal Defect and No Other Senator Comes Fourth to Defend it With Great Earnestness

Washington. March lS.-AfteT hold ing the floor for four days. Senator A. B. Cummins of Iowa today completed his speech opposing the administration railroad bills. The senator's discus sion today dealt principally with the provision regulating the consolidation of railroads With this he found much fault
 Pointing out the regulation extends to the railroads alone. he declared that in the omission of water lines there was a possibility of great abuse and he said it would be impossible to pre- vent the transcontinental railroads from acquiring water lines through the Panama canal thus cutting out all com petition. He also pointed out that cleo tric lines were specially excluded from the provision of the bill and he de- clared that it would be possible for an electric line to gain control Os all the railroads in the country.
 Mfr. Cllmmins criticised the words directly competitive as defining lines that may not be consolidated. He said that such language would afford. 2 wide margin and it was doubtful whether many lines would be found within this elastic prohibition. Mir Cummins engaged in a colloquoy with Senator Elkins. during which he de- clared, T want to prevent competing ! lines from consolidating
 That is what we all want" respond ed Senator Elks. T am glad to see that the senator from Iowa has been bringing himself into substantial ac- cord with his committed"
 You mean that the committee is be- ing driven gradually to accept my po- sition." retorted Mir. Cuumins.
 Mir Aldrich interpreted this state ment as an ultimatum and remarked that it seemed to be one of several ultimatums which Senator CuInmins had undertaken to lav down. Mir. Cum mins disavowed any such purpose.
 Mir Nelson suggested the striking out of the entire provision on railroad mergers. leaving the antitrust law in control in such cases. If we adopt this section it will be folly to carry on the prosecution of the Union Pzci fic merger" he said.
 Mir. Cummins took up the provisions
 
 consolidation agreements at the dis erection of the proposed court Of com merce and declared that if would be extraordinary and unconstitutional be- cause it delegated legislative authority to the court.
 Senator Borah inquired wfo was the author of that provision.
 Search us" calculated Mir ClApp
 Mir. Cummins suggested that the at- torney general was the real author. and he intimated that he believed tha president was responsible for the ori ginal suggestion
 Tt is plain interjected Mfr. Nelson. 'that the bill is an orphan
 MT. Eikins thought it's paternity was quite unimportant It is here" he said. and the question is whether it is right and whether we ought to vote for it. regardless of its origin
 Mir Borah said he did no; believe the president. as a lawyer. would uphold the constitutionality of the consolids- ton provision. Mir Cunmins pleaded for an impartial consideration of the question. saving that it was one of the most important matters with which legislation could deal