Alexandria gazette. [volume] (Alexandria, D.C.) 1834-1974, 1910-06-13
The Railroad Bill.

W aSllllgtoll, -. ~, "'iiS
When the confcrecs on the railroad
bill went into session today it was with
the cheerful belief that an agreement
was near AT hand. The committee
members expect 10 get their report to
the Senate and House on "Wednesday
or Thursday, and they are hopeful
that il will be So generally acceptable
that not much time will be required
for debate. Since the preceding meet
ing Senator Elkins, Representative
Mann and Attorney General Wicker
sham had been laboring to reach an
agreement, and they reported progress
to Senator Aldrich. The hardest fight,
il was found. had occurred over the
long and short haul clause OF the
House bill. Mr.. Mann was most per-
>istcnt in demand that 1t be retained
in the measure. As Elkins was equal
ly strong against it, Il solid deadlock
was the result. The fact that some
big attorneys declare that the provision
is unconstitutional, on the ground that
it attempts 10 confer legislative power
on the Interstate Commerce Commas
sion. may lead the Senate to accept 1t
and depend upon the courts TO give 1t 4
knockout. McssrS. Elkins and Mann
have reached a tentative agreement
that the provision III section Is OF the
House bill, giving the Interstate Com
mission authority Ia regulate prac-
tees, rs well rs rates, shall be re-
tanned. Attorney General WickerSham
is credited with having advised them
the thing is unconstitutional.
Physical valuation. which is pro-
vidcd for in the House bill will be
dropped out Of the conference report
Mr. Mann has made gallant stand
for ii, but in view Of the concessions
he has secured on other important
points he may have to give in on that
matter
The sections relating to the telegraph
and telephone companies will bc sim
piled in form. but. rs common carriers,
they will he under the control Of the
| Interstate Commerce Commission.
The provision in the House bill that
| the judges Of the Court Of Commerce
shall he selected by all the justices Of
the Supreme Court will be retained.
So will the important sections in the
Senate bill placing upon the railroads
the burden Of proof that proposed
rate is reasonable and the Ovcrman
amendment providing that it shall re-
quirc three federal Judges, instead Of
one as At present, 10 issue an lnJunctlon
Suspcnding II state law. Mr. ElkiuS is
making strong fight To bar out a SEC
ton requiring railroads /" furnish rca-
sonabIe facilities for through shipments
Some Of the lines, he says. are unable
at times tu mec, the demands made
upon them and should not be- made
| subject 10 penalty on that account.
It has been decided that the report
shall recommend 4 commission TO con
slider the regulation Of the stock and
| bond issues by railroads, but the num-
! Der Of commissioners has not been
| determined
! President Taft held a conference to-
day with the railroad bill cOnfcrccs,
Senators AIdrirh, EIkins and Crane,
and Representative Mann. They dis
crlSscd some Of the lesser dctail;; Of the
| bill and went over 10 some extent the
question Of the stock and bond pro-
vision There seems Ia b. some doubt
rs To- the success of this clause, aS well
as OF the provision fora commission to
make report on the subject PrcSi-
den, Taft, however, maintains his
original position and expressed his de-
! sire that the commission, at least.
should be- provided for. II an invcsii-
CATION is made il will cover. probably.
not only railroads but ali general
utility corporations doing an interstate
business such a telephones and tclc-
! graphs The commission will make its
report nj the earliest opportunity Sug-
geSIing legislation TO cover tn" ground
considered in the stock and bond pro
vision. President Taft will have the
power Of appointment himself.
| Senators Aldrich and Elkins with
| Representatives Mann and Wangcr re-
! turned Ia the White House for Il fur
Their conference III the afternoon. They
were cIo>ctcd with the president for an
| hour or more. and on emerging from
the executive offices expressed the hope
| thai au agreement between the con
! frrcrs could br reached today. Senator
| Aldrich thought perhaps thcr" might
| be- report III a very early date, but
| Representative Mann was not 50 certain,
although stating that an agreement was
practically assured.