The San Francisco call., 1910-05-20
DEMOCRATS BALk
AT RAILROAD BILL
Many Refuse Compromise Of
Tered by Regular Republicans
TO Hasten Vote
insurgents May Come to Aid of
Party in Passage of
Measure


today with a fair prospect of an agree
Rsnent between the regular republi-
cans and the democrats which would
permit an early vote upon the railroad
bin, the senate concluded today's ses-
sion in as great uncertainty as it has
been at any time during consideration
OF the bin.
The day was fun of consultation
and the situation shifted many times.
When adjournment was taken shortly
after q O'Clock. there was more talk
OF an understanding between the reg
uiar republicans and the 'insurgent"
republicans than between the "regu-
lars" and the democrats.
DEMOCRATS BALK
The first reports Of the day indi-
Gated the strong probability of large
majority of the democrats. If not all
OF them, would agree to accept a pro-
position Of the republicans to strike
out the last three sections of the bill
relating TO the capitalization Of rail-
roads. This arrangement was to have
carried with II the adoption OF an
amendment presented by Senator Sim
mons TO prohibit the lowering of rail-
road rates to destroy water competi-
tion and TO give a place of advantag
10 the New Mexico and Arizona state
hood bill In return the democrats
were expected TO vote against most
OF the amendments TO the railroad bill
offered by the Insurgents"
When this proposition was put in
writing and Senator Johnston Of Ala
hama began TO circulate il on the min
ority side OF the chamber he met with
much opposition and before he had
proceeded far his associates became
IL
unanimous for the proposed compact
Among those who refused TO sign
were Senators Bacon. Rayner, Frazier
OVerman and Smith of South Carolina
They raised the objection that the
agreement would be construed as a
surrender to the "Aldrich republicans.
The failure TO put through this for
NAL plan did not. however. cause COM
plete discontinuance of efforts to bring
The bin 10 an early vote. Senator Aid
rich tho prime mover IN this direc-
tion, was busy throughout the day.
Just before the senate adjourned he
said some arrangement would be made
lnsuring the passage of the bill at an
early date. Senator Hale in an open
talk IN the senate said a vote should
be reached by the end Of next week.
Formally the railroad bill was be-
fore the senate throughout the day and
Senator Cummins Of Iowa occupied the
floor from the beginning TO the END OF
the session. He charged that since
January I the railroads have put a
large number Of increases in force and
their activity in this respect was in
vited by the provision of the pending
bill.
Cummins said he did not charge the
new rates were excessive, but he
did contend the old rates were es-
Il blished by the railroads and it is
fair to assume they were reasonable.
CALIFORNIA TELEGRANIS SENT
Los ANGELES. May I9-The Los
Angeles jobbers' association. the pro-
dlce exchange and businessmen gen
orally bombarded senator Flint and
Representative McLschlan with tele-
grams today. urging them to do all in
their power TO retain in the railroad
law the long and short haul clause in
its present form.
IT is asserted that if tie law were
amended. as proposed, by provisions
now pending in congress, railroads
might make it an excuse for doing
away with Pacific coast terminal rates
and water carriers then would not
make as low rates as keen competition
with the railroads would insure
This. it is declared. would destroy
the very purpose for which the Panama
canal is being constructed.
Stockton Sends Request
STOCKTON. May kilograms
have been sent TO Senator's Flint and
Perkins by President George T. Hud-
son and Secretary Eddy OF the cham
Der OF commerce protesting against
the proposed long and short haul pro-
visions of the Interstate commerce law
and urging them TO maintain the ad-
Nantages Of terminal points for Cali