The Salt Lake tribune. [volume] (Salt Lake City, Utah) 1890-current, 1910-05-25
FIGHTING OVER
RAILROAD BILL
Question of Prohibiting In.
crease in Rates Is Before
Senate All Day.
B0RAH AND ALDRICH
CLASH In HOT DEBATE
Idaho Senator Has the Better of
CollOquy Relating to
President.

WASHINGTON. May 24-Whether tho
railroad bill shall prohibit fat increases
In railroad rates without approval Of the
interstate commerce commission, or shall
extend TO six months the time during
which the commission may suspend in
creased rates, was the question before
the senate when 1t adjourned today.
The session was devoted to arguments
in favor Of the Cummins provision by its
author and by Senators Borah and Dol
liver.
The suggestion for the extension OF
the time during which tho commission
may suspend rates for investigation was
made by Senator Martin. He proposed
TO amend the Cummins provision by in
serting a clause requiring "a final de-
cision shnll be rendered within six
months from the date on which the
schedule is filed"
1t WAS Immediately taken UP by a.
soon became the basis OF general cloak
room discussion of compromise.
Willing to Compromise.
Senator Aldrich and his followers an
nounccd their willingness 10 accept IL,
| and Senators Doliver and Cummins in
Raymond stated openly In the senate mis-
Willingness to adopt the suggestion. and
u nuInDeT OF Olner Democrats privately
| acquiesced In his argument.
Many senator's predicted its acceptance
when the question comes to vote.
The regular Republicans will probably
insist upon having the Martin sugges-
ton put In different form. AS originally
made 1t Is an amendment 10 the Cum
that form would mean the ultimate ac-
ceptance OF the Cummins provision as
modified by Mr.. Martin, Many Of them
prefer IL as substitute for the provision
ny al far
days.
part OF the general understanding as
tar as there is an understanding Is that
the sections OF the bill dealing with rail-
road capitalization be eliminated TO save
time required to debate them.
Chance for Argument
The Martin proviso as discussed today
was considered az a part OF the Cum
Minis amendment. Much difference OF
| opinion regarding 1t arose as TO whether
the old rates or the new would be in
effect after six months if the commits
sion failed TO reach 4 conclusion within
that time.
Mr.. Martin contended the old rates
would continue, but refused to accept
suggestion made by Mr. Raynor To do
away with all doubt as 10 extending the
tinuanCe OF old rates.
The point had not been settled when
the senate adjourned.
During Mr. Borahs speech he was
taken 10 task by Mr.. Aldrich for quot
ing from the Des MoInes speech OF presi-
dent Taft To show the president thought
rate increases should not take effect
without satisfying the commission OF their
reasona bleness
Hot Reply TO Aldrich.
Mr. Aldrich said while he recognized
the right OF the president to make sug-
Sestions TO congress. lie did not believe
II proper to bring In his unofficial ut
tcrsnces TO influence legislation,
Il dealt only with the presidents pub
lie utterances and do not get his Views
through private conferences" replied the
Idaho senator with warmth. IL had
never supposed it improper to quote here
any Of the presidents published utter
ances."
He added while he had not felt as
sured the Interpretation of the presi-
dents utterances had been iustifled he
did SO feel after Mr.. .Aldrich's remarks
The hit bird always futters." he said.
Mr., Aldrich did not reply.