The Birmingham age-herald., 1910-02-14
RAILROAD | M
 WILL BE DEBATED
Committees of Congress Will
 Take Up Several Measures
AMENDMENTS IN VIEW
Taft's Fnvorite Measure for Regulating Railroads Is Still to Be Changed Before It Will Be Entirely
 Acceptable

Washington, February 1S.-If the calcu- lations of members of the Senate and House committees on interstate commerce do not go amiss, the possibilities are strong that the administration railroad measure will be under discussion in one or both houses of Congress within the next month. Committees of both houses practically have completed their general hearings, but the members of the inter- state commerce commission are still to be heard by both, and Attorney General Wickersham by the House committee.
 It is expected that the members of Senate committee Thursday or Friday this week and before the House committee on the day following their hearing in the Senate. MT. Wickersham probably will make his representations to the House committee on next Friday or Sat urday.
 Representative Mann, chairman of the House committee on interstate commerce, said today that he was hopeful the bill could be reported by his committee by March 1, and 1t is understood that he feels equally confident it will be taken up and favorably acted upon by the House soon afterward. He does not think the committee will require great deal of time for the consideration of the meas ure after the hearings are concluded. Other members of the committee express similar confidence but at the same time they complain that the hearings have not been especially illuminating
 The railroads, with the exception of the Chicago, Rock Island and Pacific as they express it, have shown a disposition to '1ie down and let the bill go through without contesting it, and they assert that as a rule many of the witnesses have been actuated by personal interests in their representations. Nevertheless, there is quite a general disposition to yield to the opportunities of the admin istration and allow the measure to go to final passage.
 The bill will be amended in many re- spects by the House committee, but it is already well understood that 1t will re- tain the essential features of the Pres ident's bill. AS outlined today the Pres ident's bill will contain the following points:
 First, the control of the issuance of stocks and bonds by railroad companies and the prohibition of the purchase of competing lines.
 Second, a provision requiring railroads to furnish their rates on application, with a penalty for failure to do so.
 Third, giving the interstate commerce commission power to suspend proposed rate before it goes Into effect.
 Fourth making effective the long and short haul clause of the present law, so as to forbid higher charge on short haul than on long haul which provision was destroyed by decisions of the courts.
 Fifth, giving the commission power to control the classification of freight and of all regulations and practices of the railroad companies. The provision for a court of commerce probably will not be included in the House committees re- port.
 The Senate committee has given the bill no consideration beyond the hearings, blx it is believed the matter will be taken up seriously immediately after the appearance of the members of the com mission. There may be more division of opinion than in the House commit tee and no one is sure of the outcome.
 It Is fully believed however, that ulti- mately the bill will find its way out of the Senate committee and the general disposition is to give the President his way In the matter.