The Detroit times. [volume] (Detroit, Mich.) 1903-1920, 1910-03-14
BIC FIGHT COMING
. ON RAILROAD BILL
Only Greatest Pressure From White
House Can Save Attorney General
Wickersham's Measure.

WASHINGTON, March l4-If the
plans OF Senator Elkins and several
OF the progressive senators work out,
the debate in the senate this week
over the administrations railroad bill
will be merely the beginning OF the
row. II is believed the bill submitted
10 both houses by Attorney General
Wickersham can be saved only through
the greatest possible pressure from
the white house The progressiVes
purpose is To let Senator Aldrich and
bis cohorts pass their bill and then to
have the conferees accept the bill
that Rep. Mann, rep. Ills) is work
ing out in the house, which is not
enough like the original Wickersham
bill to he recognized by its author.
The senate conferees will consist
of Elkins. chairman OF the senate
committee on interstate commerce.
and two others. Elkins thinks the
Mann bill is much better than the one
his own committee has reported to
the senate and figures the Mann bill
viii be the basis OF the report of the
conferees To the two houses Mann
and his committee are not through
with the bill. They have been shoot
ing holes through the Wickersham
measure and patching il up until il is
about as severe on the railroads as
the progressiyes could hope for
The limitation OF the powers OF the
commerce court. physical valuation
OF railroad properties. control OF
stock and bond issues and the strik-
ing from the bill OF several alleged
"jokers" are some of the things that
have happened to il. Elkins visits
the House side OF the capital frequent
~. and has been encouraging Mann in
his work
An interesting story OF how Senator
Aldrich had the bill reported from
the senate committee and thus incur
red the wrath OF Elkins, was told by
a member of the committee today.
When the bill was first considered
in Elkins' committee. Aldrich. who is
a member. listened patiently for a few
hours and then declared we will re-
port the bill"
But have not even read II yet,
protested Elkins. and | don't know
what is in it, | introduced it because
il was handed me to, but | have not
te slightest idea what it contains.
We'll. you don't need to read it,
retorted Aldrich, because have read
it and anyhow ii has already been
agreed upon"
But ] insist that we shall consider
IT," shouted Elkins and so Aldrich
finally consented 10 consideration OF
the bill.
After the bill had been in commit
tee few days, IL was agreed between
Cummins and Elkins and Wickersham
that a certain amendment should be
made to the bill showing it is not In
tended 10 nullify the provisions of the
combinations. Wickersham brought
the amendment 10 the committee the
next day and Cummins and Elkins
agreed 70 accept the amendment.
Then Aldrich spoke up from the
OF her end of the table. saving. There
will he no amendments 10 this Dill.
Put" said Wi kersham. TINS
amendment is acceptable to she ad'
ministration."
Well retorted Aldrich, IL have
seen the president since any of you
gentlemen have seen him. was AZ
the white house today and this bill
will be reported as it is. | move that
the bill he reported with the recon-
mendation that il be passed - and
the motion passed This is one reason
why Elkins is not particularly in love
with the bill as reported by his own
committee.