Omaha daily bee., 1910-06-04
RAILROAD BILL In FAVOR
Measure Apparently Meets Approval
Of Democrats.
CONFERENCE SCHEDULED TODAY
Amendment Covering Telegraph and
Telephone Section Is Passed
Crawford Commodity
Clause Defeated.
CONFERENCE SCHEDULED TODAY

WASHINGTON, June g. But for the
fact that Senator Overman of North Car
DINA, succeeded in having the senate in
corporate in the railroad bill a provision
regulating injunction proceedings affecting
state laws, the senate probably would have
voted on the railroad bill yesterday.
The acceptance of that provision had the
effect of inclining some democratic sena-
tors more favorably to the bill and of
causing the democratic side of the cham
Der to request an opportunity for consul
tation before reaching the voting stage on
final passage. Accordingly tho vote was
postponed to permit a democratic confer
ence, which will be held at II o'clock
tomorrow.
After this agreement was reached SEN
ator Ellxins and Senator Hale made an
effort to get the senate to agree to vote
on the bill before adjournment tomorrow,
but without success. Senators Bacon and
Bailey made objection to a proposition
cutting off debate in advance of the final
vote, and when it appeared as IL they
might be conciliated, Senator Clapp en-
tered objection to any arrangement what
ever. The Minnesota senator stated that
he preferred to have consideration OF the
bill proceeding the natural way and the
presented and debate concluded.
EIkins Wants Substitute.
The bill was before the senate the entire
day, but the proceedings were in the line
OF action rather than that of discussion.
A large number of amendments were
presented and disposed Of Just before
adjournment for the day Senator Elkins
gave notice that at the proper time he
oIr he
senate bill for the house bill.
He succeeded in having adopted an
amendment postponing for sixty days after
Its passage the time when the proposed law
shall go into effect. The only objection ex-
pressed to the amendment was that it's OPP
GRAFTON would not be limited to railroads,
but there was a considerable vote against
it, the ballot resulting 80 ayes to rs nays.
The provision heretofore adopted, placing
interstate telegraph and telephone lines I'M
der the control of the Interstate Commerce
commission, was enlarged, in compliance
with a suggestion by Senator La Toilette
who presented the original amendment. As
| it now stands it provides that telegraph and
telephone charges shall be just and reason
able and authorizes the commission to de-
! termine when they are not so. Special night
rates and special rates on press dispatches
are authorized. Telegraph passes are pro-
hibited TO all persons. The penalty for dis
obeying this provision is fixed at from s1O(
| to 5000.
Senator Hughes OF, Colorado was among
those who had an amendment accepted
This provision gives the shipper the right
to choose a line competing with part OF
the through route by which his shipments
was billed. 1t exempts the original carrier
from all responsibility for damage sustained
on other than it's own lines.
Mr.. Simmons sought, though ineffectu
ally. to have his physical valuation provis
ion inserted. II was voted down, 80 to 80
Senator La Toilette succeeded with two Of
three amendments, but failed in an effor
to obtain for shippers the right to brini
suit in the proposed court of commerce,
when there is q prospect that irreparabl
damage may be done by increased rates
pending the delay necessary 10 an invest
CATION by the Interstate Commerce commits
| sion.