Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1910-06-03
BIG MARG|NASSURE
Ten Democrats Say They viii
Support Railroad Bill.
GIVE VIEWS IN CONFERENCE
Uncertain as to When Vote Will
Be Taken-May Be at
Today's Session.

Expressions of opinion at an executive
| conference. of democratic senator's this
morning just before the Senate convened
indicated that some democratic votes will
be cast in favor of the railroad bill and
some against it. OF the twenty senators
who attended the meeting it is under
stood that about half announced their
| intention to vote for the bill in it's pres.
ent form. while the other half declared
| against voting for it.
1t was determined, however, that the
democrats were not to be bound by thei,
expressions in the caucus and that each
could vote as he pleased when the final
vote on the bill is taken. There was nc
attempt at the conference. it is under.
stood. TO bind the democrats to vote In
accordance with the dictates of the eau.
Gus. In fact. it was determined that the
vote on the railroad measure should no,
be made party issue
Inc conference continued for about an
hpur. hi.nviIty Leauer money OF M,ssis-
s,ppl acted as the chairman, and among
the other senator's who were present were
baccn or Georgia. Chamberlain of Ore
eon, Clay Of Georgia, Fletcher of Flori-
a. Frazier of Tennessee, Hughes of
-N4Oh vi irlIn
siiid' \e"iahds Oh Nevada, over
homa. Paynter of Kentucky, Percy of
mississippi. Purcell of North Dakota
kayner of Mary and, Shively Of Indiana,
simmons OF North Carolina and Smith of
Maryland
Amended by Democrats.
The ten democrats who pronounced the
bill as a whole, as 1t now stands, good
an Ia
amendments have been added to 1t and
that several of the amendments advocat-
ed by the progressive republicans and
adopted in modified form have SO bettered
the bill as to make 1t good measure.
1t was pointed out by them that the
Summons amendment prohibiting a less
charge for longer than for shorter haul
In case it will destroy water competition
the Overman in junction limiting the eX-
sue an injunction against the enforcement
of state laws, and the Hughes amendment
giving the shipper the right to route his
freight have been inserted in the bill to
its great Improvement. 1t was further
held that the long-and-short clause added
to the bill largely embodied an amend
ment proposed by Senator Paynter.
The action of the democrats today
shows that the bill will have an over
whelming majority when it is put to a
changed in the last few hours it is
considered. All the Senate regulars
will vote for the bill. and practically
all of the insurgents are expected to
shout AYE upon the final roll call.
Added to the almost solid republica n
vote will be about half of the demo
cratic votes to pile up the ma jority for
the bill.
Senate Regulars Confer.
Senator Aldrch returned to Washington
today from his home in Rhode Island.
where he had been several days Before
the Senate met there was conference
Of Senate republican leaders in his room.
1t was attended by Messrs. Aldrich. Hale
Elkins, Galllnger, Smoot kean, Crane,
Sutherland, Nixon and Curtis. The pur-
pose OF the meeting was to check up the
votes on the remaining amendments and
to make plans to prevent delays at the
last moment.
Sutherland Amendment Modified.
When the Senate met there was great
uncertainty as to when the final vote
would be reached. Many were hopeful
that the bill could be disposed Of before
adjournment today.
The first question to receive atten-
ton arose in connection with an
amendment offered by Mr.. Sutherland,
requiring the interstate commerce COM
mission to determine within a year the
reasonableness OF rates coming under
the terms OF the long and short haul
provision Of the bill.
The amendment was stoutly resisted by
Senator Piles, who contended that the eff
feet of the provision would be to render
existing through rates unlawful after
twelve months, with the inevitable result
that through rates must be increased.
His position was challenged by Senator
Smoot
The Sutherland amendment was ulti-
mately modified at the suggestion of SEN
ator Paynter SO as to permit the commits
sion to extend the time Of inquiry beyond
the year. and as thus cndn>eu the