Daily press. [volume] (Newport News, Va.) 1896-current, 1910-05-28
NEW FEATURES CALL FUR
FURTHER CONSIDERATION
Important Step of Extending Power
of the Interstate Commerce Com
mission Supervision is Surprise and
Senate Decides to Adjourn and
Weigh the Matter.



the last moment before reaching the
point of voting upon the railroad bill
today. the senate took the important
step of adding an amendment, placl
ing interstate telegraph and teler
phone lines under the supervision of
the Interstate Commerce Commission.
This action was followed by an effort
to restore portion of section u, Ell
fecting mergers, which heretofore was
voted cut.
Both provisions were introduced so
suddenly as to surprise the senate
and the latter was considered so i'm
potant that rather than vote upon it
without more consideration than 1t
was able to give. the senate took an
adjournment until tomorrow.
The action OF the senate on tele-
graph and telephone companies IN
sures their inclusion In some form IN
the proposed law, as the subject is
covered in the house bill. The sug-
gestion for the inclusion of telegraph
and telephone companies within the
control of the Interstate Commerce
Commission, was made by Senator
Dixon. of Montana, but ultimately his
amendment was superseded by one
in simpler form, which was offered by
Senator LaFollette, of Wisconsin.
Democratic Amendment.
The senate reported the voting
stage at o'clock, after an announce
ment of the adoption of an amend
ment on the Democratic side of the
chamber and which dealt especially
with the question as to whether the
Dolliver amendment, regulating the
stock and bond issues of railroads,
was in accordance with the last DEM
ocratic platform.
Much disnpprobation against vot+
ing upon the Dixon telegraph amend
ment, without an opportunity for ex-
animation, was expressed.
While the discussion and the voting
were in progress on the Dixon amend
ment, which was in form so simple.
senators could have no difficulty in
compTehending it. Mr.. Dixon indicat-
ed a willingness to accept this pro-
vision in place CT his own. and it
went through without even a division.
The provision as adopted is as foi-
lows:
Telegraph Provision.
THAT telegraph and telephone com
panies Except wireless) transacting
an interstate business are hereby
placed under the supervision and con-
mission. subject to the provisions of
an act to regulate commerce approx
ed February 4. 1887. which are ap-
plicabIe thereto
The result on this amendment had
no sooner been announced than Mr..
Brown, Of Nebraska, presented his
amendment reviving a portion of sec
ticn IL. His amendment prohibits all
common carriers from acquiring any
interest. whatsoever, in the capital
stock Of or purchasing or leasing any
railroad which is in competitive with
tKat Of the purchasing company A
fine Of 5000 is imposed for each
days violation Of this provision.
The suggestion OF this important
action. following so closely as II did.
upcn the vote to place telegraph and
telephone companies under the con-
troll Of the commission, vas more than
the senate was willing 20 accept with
out more opportunity for deliberstion-
Many protests against immediate &C
ton we're uttered. and when Senator
B7ccn moved 10 adjourn. the senste
decided to adjourn. 81 10 q. thus post
poping action on the bin and ali 9th
or amendments.
The DoIIivcr amendment was lost
bv the decisive vote Of ~ 20 AZ.