The Washington herald. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1906-1939, 1910-04-29

Telegraph and telephone companies are
declared 70 be common carriers, and as
such subject TO control by the Federal
government, in an amendment incorpo-
rated in the administration railroad bill
by the House yesterday.
The adoption Of the amendment was a
shock to the leaders. as it was carried by
a substantial majority. and marked the
most radical change that has been made
in the measure by either the House OF the
Senate
While the action is not final. il is synp-
tomato Of feeling on the subject in the
House, and the leaders fear that the
amendment Will carry when a record vote
is taken on 1t upon the final passage OF
the bill
a lively debate marked the considera-
ton Of the amendment throwing the
cloak Of interstate commerce law over
the operations of the telegraph and tele-
phone companies.
! Il was disclosed that many Republi-
cans. among them Representative Mann.
OF Illinois, chairman Of the Committee on
Interstate and Foreign Commerce. who is
IN charge Of the pending bill, believe in
government regulation OF the agencies OF
wire transmission. but il was suggested
/ that such a provision should not be in
| corporated in the railroad measure. -The
two services are totally diSsimiIar." said
Chairman Mann. "and they should be
treated in separate bills"
Some Regulars Vote for II.
The amendment was offered by Repre-
! sentative Bartlett. Of Georgia. II was
supported in speeches by a number OF
! Democrats, and opposed by Republicans
on grounds Of eXpediency. all Of them
agreeing with Chairman Mann that if the
/ telegraph and telephone companies were
I TO be- brought under Federal control n
/ special law should be passed for the
purpose.
} The amendment was adopted by a vote
Of 100 20 &C. The leaders are uncertain
as to its fate by reason Of the fact that
II was carried to-day by a combination
OF regulars and insurgents and the Demo-
cratic minority.
II the Bartlett amendment ig retained
i in the bill the measure VIII have IN ne
changed in many important respects The
bin as reported deals exclusively with
/ agencies OF transportation With the
provision giving the Interstate Commerce
Commission jurisdiction over selegrapb
and telephone companies. countless
changes would have To be made in the
Ian Uage Of the pending measure.
Tie Commerce Court provision narrow
" escaped defeat early in the week =
was saved by a tie vote There was an
other tie vote yesterday. and on all is-
sues carried by the friends Of the ad-
ministration the vote has been very
close
An amendment was Incorporated in the
bill yesterday specifically providing that
the provisions OF the law should not an
ply 70 commerce within the bordars &c
a State. This amendment restored q nro-
vision Of existing law, Il was adoptea
as a result Of representations made TO
members by various State railway cor-
missions. The contention was made that
unless the law specifically set forth that
its provisions do not apply to intrastate
commerce that there was danger OF the
Federal government enCroaching upon
the rights Of the States in the matter
Of railroad regulations.
The managers Of the bill insisted that
as It dealt solely with commerce between
the States, it was mere surplasage TO
provide that it did not affect commerce.
within the States. The amendment was
adopted, however, as concession to the
views of State railway commissioners.
VIII Try TO Pass Bill Tuesday
Another amendment adopted is desirnad
to protect the right Of a complainant an
pearlng before the Commerce Court to be
represented without interference on the
part OF the Attorney General. This was
presented by Representative Pickett of
Iowa, an insurgent The bill as reported
provided that party in interest might |
be represented by counsel upon sucb
terms as the court might prescribe. such
appearance and representation not TO in /
terfere with the control of the case bv |
the Attorney General Mr.. Pickett de- |
clared that such an enactment would
enable the Attorney General. if he was so |
disposed. to retard cases. His amend |
ment was carried without debate.
An amendment offered by Representa-
tive Hubbard. of Iowa, authorizing the
Interstate Commerce Commission. instead
Of the Attorney General, TO defend such
Of its orders as may be attacked in the
commerce court, was defeated by a tie
vote.
Debate on the railroad bill continues 70
drag and there is little probability OF
its being passed this week Some Of the
sections, which have excited the most
adverse criticism have not been reached.
notably the provision IegaIizing traffic
agreements, and that proposing i'm
portant changes in the long and short
haul clase of the existing law.
The indications now are that the bill
will be passed Tuesday.