New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1910-05-03

Railroad Bill in Danger of Prac-
teal Defeat in the Senate.
REGULARS IN CONFERENCE
President, Advised Of Situation,
Saws the Administration Can
not Be Held Responsible.
IBy The Associated reress-l

protracJed conference OF leading regular
Republican Senators tonight il was APP
parent that the revolt OF the Senate IN
sursents had been virtually successful
End that the sections Of the bill relative 10
traffic agreements and mergers, which Sen
atcr Cumnlins and other insurgents have
heen flghting 10 amend. viii be abandoned.
Practically nothing distinctive of the
original bill viii remain save the section
providing for the creation Of court OF
commerce. Even that has had a perilous
time in the House
So serious became the condition of the
bin late to-day that President Taft him
SELF, az Pittsburs, was advised of the stu
alton over the long distance telephone by
Senator Aldrich-
DespeirinE OF putting the bill through
the Senate in the form in which il was re
ported frum the Committee on Interstate
Commerce, the leaders in this conference
tonight decided 70 eliminate Section 4,
which the insurgents claim practically
would have repealed the Sherman Anti
trust Law. By permitting traffic agreements,
and Section - which would have legalined
mergers in cases where one railroad cor
po-ation owning already 80 per cent Of an
other desired 10 control outright
Upon the insurgents the administration
viii endeavor 10 place the responsibility for
the failure OF the Taft railroad legislation.
To Senator Aldrich over the telephone Nj.
Taft is said to have expressed himself en-
phatically to the following effect:
That he had initiated the pending meas
tre and Rad advocated II throughout the
country in the form in which II was re-
ported 10 the Senate. and that if a COM
bination Of insurgent Republicans and
Democrats rendered il impossible for the
Republican majority TO enact the bill. then
he felt that the administration should be
relieved Of responsibility for its defeat. He
rested the entire matter in the hands Of
Senator Aldrich and his Republican asso-
ciates. who were then in conference
In the conference were Senators Aldrich,
Flkins. Carter, Kesn, Crane. Root, Curtis,
Flint. Brandegee. Lodge and from time TO
time Others Of the Republican leaders.
Although admittedly estopped from pass
ing the bill in the form in which they
wished the administration Senators a.
once began the formulation. of plans
through which they viii endeavor to take
away from the insursent Republicans the
chance 10 claim, clean-cut victory for
themselves They even wore an air ~f
fubilation tonight over the prospect Of
putting the insurgents 10 rout on the
pending Cumrnins amendment TO the traffic
agreement
matter voted upon when the bill Is again
u ken M, probably tomorrow
AS the pending Cumnains amendment is
offered as 2 substitute for the Elkins-C raw-
ford provision no motion can sidetrack this
provision; II must be disposed Of before
any other step cen be taken. That is
where the administration Senators believe
They have the whip hand Of their oppo-
nents. The Republican leaders discovered
that there were certain members who pre-
fe-red the Cunlnains 10 the Elkins-Craw-
ford amcndment but were opposed to the
entire traffic agreement section
These Senators did not hesitate 70 enter
into an agreement with the regular Re
!. publirans 10 vote against the Cura-nirs pro
M vision in return for an agreement 70 elirai-
0 nate the section altogether. II the admin
istration Senators are correct IN the poll
they have tasen, the Curarains amendment
would be lest by the narrow margin Of one
or two woes Tor which victory the ad-
-linistration agrees TO pay tho price Of
striking out the whole section
Not only must they strike cut this section.
but Il IS agreed that Section 2 must be
abandoned also. II IS not certain that even
Sections q Il and Is which provide for fed
eral regulation Of the issuance Of securities
of railroads. can be saved. The agreement
reached to-day does not. however. cover
these sections
senator Cun--ins was called into the
final conference. He was asked If tbs in
surgents could not get together on some,
.proviEion that would be less obnoxious Il
the majority Of the Republicans than was
the pending Curlra;ns amendment Nj
Clr1--ins is quoted as saving that person
ally he vas agreeable &c the adoption of
Some provision thar would insure substan-
TALLY the same thing. but that he did rot
think his colleagues would be willing to ac-
capt ANYTHING other than straight our
proposition compelling railroads TO obtain
approval Of the commission before putting
rev rates info effect.
When Senator Cunarains came out Of Sen
ator Aldrichs room he said in response 70
. question
We gre not compromising We believe
We have the votes &c adopt my amendment.
i was apparent that he had NOT been
told Ct The plan TO eliminate Section and
that he did not suspect any such intention
On the part O. those who have the bill in
charge. He Joined Senators Clapp. Deliver
and La Toilette who had waited in the
corridor TO learn the result Of his visit 10
the conference This group cf insurgents
said that they we're confident Of winning.
Senator Root was noticeably annoyed a.
the outcome Of the conference When asked
what caused the change Of front in connec-
tion with Section :. he said:
cold feet. Some Of those who ought 70
support the bin ~-e1e afraid of the political
eject
Whether he show down between the reg
MAR Republicans and the insurgents will
conae tomorrow depends upon The amount
Of debate that ensues and the attitude Of
the insurgents when they learn Of the plans
Of their opponents TO deprive them Of VIC
tory.
The abortion Of the programme agreed
on TODAY would Ieave the first six sections
If the bin which related 20 the proposed
court Of commerce. the section under which
railroads would be required 70 furnish
applicants with written statements of