The Birmingham age-herald. [volume] (Birmingham, Ala.) 1902-1950, 1910-06-19
House Passes Finally Upon.
the Rai|rOadand State
hood Measures
ALL DEMOCRATS BUT ONE
VOTE IN affirmative
Against the Bill to the Last and
His Is the Only Vote Re-
corded Against II

Washington. June 1s.-President Taft
signed the railroad bill at 1915 tonight,
shortly after his return. from. Pennsyl-
vania. The measure, as had the state
hood bill. had been passed by the House
today and sent Immediately to the White
House. The President did not sign the
statehood bill.
Washington, June 1S.-Two of the most
important administration measures in the
railroad and statehood bills. were acted
upon in finality by Congress today, and
the former became law as soon as it
received President Taft's signature
The House took this action, the Sem
ate having previously disposed of both
measures. 1t was accomplished practical
ly without debate and in record time, not
even a roll call being required in the
whole proceeding.
The railroad bill was the first to re-
ceive consideration. Chairman Mann of
the committee on interstate and foreign
commerce calling the conference from
the speakers table. Brief speeches were
made. Among them were several by
members in expression of their opposition
to railroad Legislation as perfected in
conference
Final action on statehood legislation
was accomplished with even greater ease
BY reason of pressure from the White
House and aided by Postmaster General
Hitchcock. opposition to the Senate
amendments to the statehood bill wero
almost entirely dissipated.
! The democrats were induced to forego
81.
culaton of a report that II the bill went
Into conference 1t might not emerge dur.
| ing the present session.
Chairman Hamilton of the House com.
mittee on territories at once realized
that the only way to put the legislation
| through and not delay the present ses-
sion was to agree to the Senate amend.
ments and he welcomed the assistance of
the administration.
1t cannot be definitely stated when
Arizona and New Mexico will come into
the union under the legislation acted
upon. 1t requires that the constitutions
adopted by the proposed states must be
ratified by Congress and approved by the
President
Conceding that the statehood bill will
! necessary for the territories to hold con-
stitutional conventions. which will requide
many weeks of work. and then submit
| the drafts of constitutions to the peoples
of the territories. They will then be sent
to Washington. Provisions is made
against joint elections for the territories
and 1t is impossible to specify when the
people of the two territories will enjoy
the benefits Of statehood and many be-
lieve. it is stated. 1t will not be before the
presidential election OF 1912
The railroad bill, which Was ready for
the Presidents signature upon his return
to Washington, is substa ntially In accord
ance with the Presidents message de-
manding amendments to the Interstate
| commerce laws. Owing to the exceptions
contained in the bill not legalizing agree
| ments between railroads and mergers. or
| issuance of stocks and bonds, dissatisfac-
| tion is felt. 1t creates a commerce court
and broadens the scope of the Jurisdiction
| of the Interstate commerce commission
IL also brings telegraph telephone and
| cable companies within the Jurisdiction
| of the commission.
Supervision is given the commission .
as we'll as one making provision for the
investigatice cf the stock and bond ques-
| ton will sd into effect Immediately upon
| the bills being signed.
| Other extensive provisions will take eff
feet within 90 days OF the date of ap-
| proval.
AdamsOn Opposed Bill
Washington, June 1S.--(Special THE
| railroad bill passed the House this aft
ernoon and at 1915 p. m. the signature
of the President was affixed to mako
| 1. law. There was but one vote against
| 1t. that cast by Representative Adamson.
democrat. Of Georgia. Representative
| Richardson of Alabama urged that the
bill was a long step toward government
ownership of railroads and the centrali-
| zation of power in the hands OF the
| national government Defenses of the
| conference report were made by Repre-
| sentatives Mann. Townsend and Lenroot
all of whom argued that the bill was
| forward step in railroad control. Mr.
/ Lenroot said that railroad legislation
| would not be complete until there had
| been written into the statutes law re-
| quiring valuation of all the properties
of the railroads He promised to renew
the agitation for this legislation with the
| beginning of the session of Congress next
| December.
The vote on final passage of the con-
| ference report, which carried the railroad
bill, was viva voce by agreement The
ayes were overwhelming. When Speaker
| Cannon called for the negative vote only
| one was heard. Mr.. Adamson.. ranking
| democrat on the House committee on in
| terstate and foreign commerce. had an
nounced he would not support the bill.
although admitting 1t was In far better
| shape than when presented to the House
| and Senate by the administration, or
| after 1t came from the committee.
| ''rhe President did not expect such 4
| bill as this said Mr.. Adamson. The
Senate did not want 1t. The railroads
dc not like II. The country does not
J ueed it,