The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1910-05-09
PRUNING The RAILROAD BILL
TlFT AND SENATOR'S DISCUSS
OBJECTIONABLE PARTS.

amendments VIII Make q Clear That Ne
lsarpatiaR % state COAtrol s In
tended ElkIns WSuld FoEbld the
requirement % COmpetiiors' stoek.
WASHINGTON. May s-Republican Lead
srs in the senate feel tonight that the
prospect for an agreement az an early date
On an effective railway bill is brighter
nan Il has been az any time since the
Administration measure was introduced
IN tho senate
President Taft saw senator Elkins
chairman ~ the Senate COMMITTEES on
Interstate Commerce. senator Nelson
oi Minnesota and others who are inter
ested in the hill to-day and discussed with
them the situation IN the senate. Il was
on the motion % Senator Nelson that
section y Of the ball was struck out.
He believes that the last three sections
Of the bin. relating 10 capitalization. should
come out also
senator Elkins has told the President
that he believes that a part Of section
70 should he reinstated in the bill He
would leave out the provision which per-
mits common carrier owning not lees
than 50 per cent. Of the stock Of a com
petinR line % acquire the remainder.
lie would retain only the first part Of
section y. which forbids the acquisition
by one railroad corporation OF any Of
the stock IN or lease over any competing
line.
senator Nelson has been very lnsistent
that no part Of section - should he re-
stored 10 the bin. II IL possible that he
would not object 10 the proposal OF Sena-
tor Elklns. which eliminates most Of the
objectionable features
senator Nelson has been contending
also that the last three seujions OF the
bill should come out. senator Elkins has
been insisting that some legislation exer-
cising control over capitalization should
he kept IN II was said on very good
authority tonight that amendments are
now hsing prepared To sections ~ and 10
aud that those two sections with IS
which make up the last three sections ut
the hill will not 60 out hut will he amended
10 meet objections vt some Senators,
MANY Of the Democratic Senators have
opposed these thre" sections because
they regard the legislation a. an attempt
10 lIsurp the control which the States now
exercise over their own interpretations.
senator Rayner Of Maryland has taken
the ground that the last three sections
Of the hill are unconstitutional. Senator
Elkins has asked some Of tho Democratic
senators Co frame an amendment with
view Of having Il considered in the sOlu-
ton of the problem. senator Hughes OF
Colorado. who ~ a minority member OF
the senate Committee on Commerce, ~
writing an amendment and senator Elkins
has prepared one. senator Cummins and
senator Deliver have amendments pend
ing on the same subject and senator
Borah has been at work on one.
The object sought by these amendments
IL to make the language 20 clear that II
will indicate only the intentiOnOf Congress
10 regulate the instrumentalities Of inter-
state commerce and not admit Of q con-
stTtiction that the bill IL intended 70 in
terfeTe with the State railroad incorpo-
ration
one Of the most stubbOrnly contested
points between the regulars and the
Insurgents h senator Cummina's pro-
posed amendment % section . which I
gives the Interstate Commerce Com |
mission authority 90 approve every in |
crease Of freight rates before Il shall |
60 into effect.
senator Elkins vent over this phaae I
NJ ths question fully with the President ]
to-day. He 10 wiling 20 cOncede that |
tho lnterutate Commerce Commission 1
shall have 100 days In which 60 approve |
lr disapprove a proposed increase Of
rates. provided II begins Its investiga- I
ions and the taking ~ testimony % .
determine the matter a. soon ~ the rate 1
. filed. but he 10 unwilling that any pro-
Il - - ka.lA