Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1910-05-19
Rayner and EIkins EnIiven
Railroad Bill Debate.
AMENDMENTS ADOPTED
Defense Of Orders of Interstate COM
niefce Commission in Courts
I Provided For.

Two more important features Of the
railroad bill were disposed of in the
Senate yesterday, one after tWo-day
fight, the other by unanimous consent
BY vote OF 40 to 23 the Senate adopted
the amendment offered by Senator Smith
OF Michigan. modified by Senator Hughes
OF Colorado. providing for the defense
of the orders of the interstate commerce
commission in the courts. The amend
ment follows tie lines of similar pro-
visions in the House bill. placing the
Attorney General IN control of the de-
Tense. but allowing the interstate COM
merre commission and shippers in interest
10 be represented in court, and to otherwise
intervene in the suits.
The second amendment extends from
6O to 40 days the period for which the
interstate commerce commission can sus-
pend new RATS pending an investigation
of their reasonableness.
Flashes of Repartee.>
During the protracted discussion OF the
amendments yesterday afternoon. flashes
OF repartee Frightened up the oratorical
horizon. The flashes were especially sharp
when Senators Rayner of Maryland and
Elkins OF West Virginia clashed.
Senator Rayner opposed the amendment
putting the Attorney General in charge
OF the defense of the orders Of the COM
mission.
Who has asked for the Attorney Gen.
eTal to interfere asked the Senator
from Maryland II asked the Senator
is no answer and there will be no an
swer.''
II did answer the Senator" replied Mr..
Elkins
.r3,,% ,bo Sanatn- fro,,, U-act y;rotp;o
answered il in a way that was contra
dicted and challenged by the Senator
from Iowa.
"Eut the Senator said 1 did not answer
statement" The two legislators were
surveying each other across the center
aisle of the chamber.
No. 1 do not correct it, replied Mr..
Rayner, because the Senator answered
and answered wrong. and admits that he
answered Ii wrong, and Ne might as
well not have answered it at all
Please say l did not answer il to suit
the Senator. / never admitted / answered
of the se1ator&
II will change that by saying the
senator answeltd it all wrong. if that
suits him better retorted Mr.. Rayner'
"a. Mr.. Elkins Explains.
Finally Mr. Elkins explained that he
had said that an association of shippers,
OF which the president, Mr.. Lincoln, ap-
peared before the committee. had given
general approval to the bill containing
tie provision giving the Attorney General
control OF the suits.
Does the senator consider that an an
Swer?" asked Mr.. Rayner.
IAN absolute answer to your charge,
retorted Mr.. Elkins.
NO one else here. I am sure, considers
that an answer" was MIR. Rayner's COM
ment
THE senator must be more accurate In
the use of language" retOTted Mr.. E'kins,
vehemently. He claims to be a great
lawyer and / find him exceedingly In
accurate and often;imes mistaken
.-"Well,H ! am mistaken 1 would rather
be corrected by some one who under
stands a little more about law than the
senator from West Virginia
The discussion was continued. but II
soon drifted into an abstract discussion
OF the provisions Of the pending amend
nient.