Evening times-Republican. [volume] (Marshalltown, Iowa) 1890-1923, 1910-05-03


thfs aSorning was the decision of the
administration leaders to eliminate
from s..c railroad bill the sections re-
lating to traffic agreements and legal
izing railroad mergers. The feeling on
the floor was tense. The administra-
tion senators claimed theye We're still
certain Of their ability to defeat the
Cummins amendment to require that
changes of rates be approved by the in
terstate commerce commission before
taking effect. but this vote depends up
on the agreement that the whole Sec
tion then be eliminated.
When the bill was taken up today the
Insurgents were sticking by their guns
and were insistent that the traffic
agreement section must be brought to
a vote.
An Epoch in Legislation.
Dolliver and other 'insurgent" sena-
tors were of the opinion that the senate
proceedings today would mark an
epoch in the history of the railroad bill.
The insurgents We're divided in opin-
ion as to the probable fate Of the Cum
minis amendment. Some Of them were
not 50 sure that it could be beaten by
the regulars, even with the assistance
Of those senators who had agreed to
vote against it with the understanding
that the agreement provision be with
drawn subsequently. They appeared
hopeful OF success and indicated their
preference for the regulation Of traffic
agreements by such provision.
Discussing the program of the reg
ulars, Qolliver said:
"It Is like driving OF the roof the
man who is patching it in order to
burn the house, he said. Eve would
prefer to go on and perfect the bill We
are certainly getting on continued
Dolliver." Our war status Is recog-
nized. We are to be dealt with and our
right to make treaties and to enter al
liances is established"
Cummins ForestaIIs Action.
Moves of radical character in con-
nection with the administration rail-
road bill eventuated rapidly when the
measure was taken up in the senate
late this afternoon. Elkins at once an
nounced he would move to lay on the
table the Cummins amendment to the
traffic agreement section. He coupled
this statement with the announcement
that the majority of the committee
would then support the amendment by
Clay to strike out the whole of section
z. Cummins gained recognition and
withdrew his amendment. A motion
then was made by Clay to strike out
the section. Before a vote was taken
several senators stated their displeas-
ure at the program, but said they
were powerless to prevent 1t.
Troublesome Section 2.
Section 4, which occasioned all the
trouble, never was perfected in the
senate. Cunlmins and Elkins -Craw
ford provisions were offered as COM
plete Substitutes for the section. The
Cummins provision would have legaliz-
ed traffic agreements but would have
compelled railroads to procure the ap-
proval Of the interstate commerce COM
mission before making changes Of
rates. The Elkins-Crawford provision
would authorize the making Of traffic
agreements but would permit railroads
to put into force changes of rates with
out nrst obtaining the approval Of the
commission.
Would End Composition.
The insurgents" claimed this pro-
vision would repeal the Sherman anti
trust law SO far as it applied to rail-
roads and would put an end to compe-
tition as to rates. Both factions con-
tended that their amendments We're In
compliance with the republican ma
tional platform, which declared the
interstate commerce laws should be
amended so as TO permit railroads to
make agreements as t crates, subject
10 the approval Of the commission.
Emasculation 10 Complete.
The senate adopted the Clay amend
ment to- strike out the entire section
OF the railroad bill relating to traffic
agreements. Nelson's motion to strike
out section 12 OF the railroad bill, which
would permit mergers between rail-
roads, was adopted by the senate with
out division.
House WrsstIes With Bill.
rht Hardy amendment to the rail-
road bill to strike out the provision
permitting the interstate commerce
commission &c ss;;cc-:.;. the =. king of
low thru rates In view of>water conn
petition was defeated in the house by
q vote OF IS to 1872 An effort to strike
out the entire section Of the railroad
bill relating to the long and short haul
30 as to leave the existing law in that
respect unchanged was defeated in the
house, IS 90 IT,. The house then
adopted the long and short haul pro-
vision OF the railroad bill as reported
from COMMITTEES.
TAFT Is plscoURAcED.
e.-....la4;sn Of HE Pet Rail 8ill
A....>. -n~n. sintx "a = 80 Aasn