Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1910-05-28
RAILROAD BILL SNAG
Hung Up Just as a Final Vote
Seems in Sight.
SENATOR BROWN DOES 1T
Offers Amendment to Prohibit Mer-
gers Of Competitors.
RIFT ON DEMOCRATIC SIDE
Interpretation of Party Platform
Splits Ranks on Vote for
Dolliver Proposition.

| IIdl lHSIe ltiduS q Sip lNlNl cup anu
lip was shown yesterday in the Senate
when the hopes of Senate leaders that
a final vote on the railroad bill would
be taken yesterday afternoon, were dash
ed to pieces by the introduction of i'm
portant amendment when the final &C
| ton was near.
The Dolliver amendment, providing
federal regulation of the capitalization
| of railroads. was disposed OF shortly after
I3 o'clock There remained a few other
amendments to be voted down and one
or two to be adopted. Then it was eX-
! pected that before shutdown the final vote
would be taken.
Dolliver Amendment Voted Down.
| The Dolliver amendment met defeat, as
predicted, the vote being 10 to AZ. The
insurgents were joined by few republic
can regulars and several democrats.
| Senator Dixon was then recognized and
| offered, as an amendment. the provisions
| of the House bill which place telegraph
/ and telephone lines under the control
/ of the interstate commerce commission.
| In print, it was nine-page amendment
| It's length was its undoing. Hardly
| had the reading been concluded when
| senators began to protest against vote
| upon such a long provision.
| 1t was clear there wasn't a chance for
| it's adoption then. TO postpone action
| meant that final vote on the bill could
| not be taken yesterday afternoon.
| Senator Dixon agreed to accept a sim
pie amendment drafted by Senator La
| Toilette. In few words, it declared
| that all telegraph and telephone COM
panies doing interstate business are
| placed under the jurisdiction and control
of the interstate commerce commission
| subject to the laws regulating interstate
commerce.
This was accepted by Senator ElNins
| 1t was adopted without dissent. AT the
| suggestion of Senator Hepburn wireless
! telegraph companies We're specifically eX-
| copied from the provision.
A committee amendment was next of
| fered by Senator Elkns. 1t was felt by
| all that a final vote was near. The Elk
| ms amendment occupied two printed
] lines. and related to water competition.
THAT amendment will precpitate a
discussion that will last for twenty-four
| hours" shouted Senator BristoW. .'If
| the senator from West Virginia wishes
| to finish the bill this afternoon, he had
| better withdraw it.
Elkins. 1t looked more like final vote
| than ever
Senator Brown Holds Up Bill
Then Senator Brown effectually
quenched any kindling fires Of hope for
| vote before adjournment. He offered an
| amendment prohibiting all common car
| riers from acquiring any interest what
| soever in the capital stock of or p,r-
| chasing or leasing any railroad which
| is competitive with that of the purchas-
| ing company and providing a fine of
$1,000 for each days violation of the
prohibition.
The Senate had accepted the telegraph
| and telephone amendment at the last
moment, in the hope of getting a final
| vote on the measure. But the senators
We're unwilling to accept this second i'm
| portant amendment without examining
| it more fully.
| Senator Bacon led the protests, declar-
| ing it was scarcely fair that the SEN
ate should be called upon to vote upon
such an important matter without oppor-
tunity to examine the amendment. He
| moved adjournment.
| The vote on the motion was SO equally
| divided that a division was called for
The vote was 81 to p in favor of adj
journment.
A feature of the days discussion in. the
| Senate was the revelation of split on
the democratic side of the chamber
| Senator Stone was responsible.
| He rose to poke few jabS into the re-
publicans for the fractional troubles which
have been evident during the debate on
| the railroad bill His speech served to
open wide the rent on the democratic
| side.
| 1t all hinged about the Interpretation
| of a plank i'm the last democratic plat
| form. Senator Stone declared that the
Dolliver amendment providing for the
| federal regulation of capitalization car
| red out the democratic plank and an
| nounced his intention to vote for the
| amendment for that reason.
Senator's Paynter and Rayner began to
| fire questions at him that indicated a
division of opinion among the democrats.
| Senator Rayner announced that he would
| vote against the amendment because he
was convinced that it was unconstitu-
| tional.
| ut becomes my duty" he said, be
tween the democratic platform and the