Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1910-03-24
HOUSE TO GET BILL
Favorable Report Is Ordered
on Railroad Measure.
SPLIT ALONG PARTY LINES
Democrats on Committee to Submit
Minority Report.
MARKS LONG STEP FORWARD
Chairman Mann Says It Would
Greatly Strengthen Hands OF
Commission.
SPLIT ALONG PARTY LINES
MARKS LONG STEP FORWARD

The administration railroad bill, en-
bodying many changes In the existing
law, and largely amended since its IN
PRODUCTION in the House by Mr.. Town
send of Michigan, was ordered fayoranly
J reported by the House committee on
! interstate commerce today
The committee split on party lines.
All the republicans voted for the Dill,
including Chairman Mann. The absent
republicans under agreement were
recorded in the affirmative. The demo-
Gratis voted against the bill, and they
will present minority report. Ihe
bill in it's original form now Is pend
ing in the Senate
Question Of Caucus Open.
The report from the House commit
tee will be presented within four or
FIVE days. Chairman Mann said today
he was unable to say when the measure
would be brought up on the floor OF
the House. and whether or not there
will be a caucus on 1t is yet uncer-
tain.
1.-The bill speaks for ITSELF" said Mr..
Mann. ..In addition to the creation of a
commerce court 1t contains important pro-
visions which add to the powers OF the
interstate commerce commission over the
regulations, practices and rights or rah-
ways and decidedly strengthens tne
means adopted by the government TOT sne
regulation Of the railroads. It prohibits
the absorption by one road or water hne
of a competing line. except when autnor-
lied by the commerce court. 1t foroaos
the issue of stocks or bonds. except for
legitimate purposes and at prices TO oe
fixed by the Interstate commerce commis-
sion, and forbida any issue OF STOCKS OF
bonds except on application to the COM
mission.
Step Ear In Advance.
...The bill IL q logical development OF
the theory adopted by Congress that rail-
ways in all their dealings shall be SUD
iect to governmental control and not left
10 the theory OF competition merely. 1t
is the most advanced step ever taken in
the matter OF the control and regulation
of the common carrier corporations OF
the country.
The minority report will be prepared
under the direction of Mr.. Adameon OF
GeorRia. the ranking democrat on the
Committees. Mr.. Adamson opposes gov
ernmenkal control or purchases OF com
petinr lines, control of issuance OF STOCKS
merce court. All Of the minority. how
evox. do not share his Views
Many Of the amendments to the nlii
were drawn in entirety from the Dill m
troduced early In the session BY Chair-
man Mann. who can see no necessity aor
a commerce court. and whose views dif-
fer materially from the admnistfation
views on railroad legislation.
May o6er Amendments
There Will be several committee amend
ments offered on the floor OF the House
when the bill is taken up IN the event
the committee should agree upon several
nrovis,ons which it did not act upon
definitely.
Among those provisions Is one to give
the commerce court Jurisdiction over the
determination OF what roads are COM
petitiye within the meaning OF the sec
lions of the bill relating to mergers.
There is a difference OF opinion among
the members OF the committee as to
whether this determination should be
rcdced with the commerce court or with
the interstate commerce commission.