Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1910-06-02
TOO LONG AT LUNCH
Republicans in Restaurant,
Amendment IssPassed.
CLOSE VOTE IN SENATE
Change in Railroad Bill Relates to
Rates for Hauls.
PHYSICAL VALUING REJECTED
Clause Providing for Federal Incor-
poration of Companies, Proposed
by Mr.. Newlands, Defeated.
PHYSICAL vALUING REJECTED

Close votes and the adoption of one
amendment proposed by the democrats
and rushed to a vote while the republic
an regulars were at lunch marked yes
terdays considera ton Of the railroad bill
in the Senate.
After the rejection of the La Toilette
and Simmons amendments, proposing
that the physical valuation Of all rail-
roads be determined. by the close votes
of % to so and % to 20 Senator Stone
of Missouri offered an amendment pro-
viding for the federal control of railway
capitalization. 1t was lengthy amend
ment and considerable objection to 1t
was shown Many of the republican
regulars took that opportunity to go
down to the restaurant for lunch. Be-
fore they returned the democrats had won
a victory.
The Stone amendment was rejected
without a roll call, and Senator Simmons
then proposed an amendment providing
that when a railroad applies for lower
rate for a longer than tor shorter haul,
on the ground of water competition, the
interstate commerce commission shall
not grant the application if the lower rate
will destroy water competition. The
amendment was briefly discussed by Sem
ator Simmons while the republicans
lunched on the floor below. Before the
desserts were eaten in the restaurant
the amndment was put to a vote in the
Senate. The democratic side was full,
and the chair announced that the "ayes"
were in the majority.
Roll Call Demanded.
Senator Elkins demanded the ayes and
noes, it being understood that roll call
would call the republicans from the res
taurant. But there were not sufficient
republicans in the chamber to second the
demand for roll call. The chair an
nounced that the amendment had been
agreed to.
a demand for quorum, made by Sem
ator Bulkeley of Connecticut, brought
the republicans from their coffee and
shortcake, but for them it was like lock-
ing the barn alter the horse has been
stolen. The amendment of the democrats
had been adopted beyond recall.
Immediately afterward Senator Burton
proposed somewhat similar amendment,
giving the interstate commerce commits
SION power to fix minimum rates in
case it is satisfied that a railroad has
decreased rates with the object of de-
stroying water competition, and also pro-
hibltlng railroads from increasing rates
after water competition has been de-
stroyed by low tariffs. Senator Eiklns
rmarked that it was similar to the SIM
mons amendment, just adopted, and Of
fercd no objection. The only vote against
it was cast by senator Frye of Name.
Without division, the Senate rejected an
amendment for the federal incorporation
OF railroads proposed by Senator New
lands.
Shively's Amendment Accepted.
a clause proposed to be inserted by
Senator Shively, allowing shippers to re-
Of a railroad company to quote in writing
rates on shipments, was accepted by Sen
ator IIlkins and adopted by the Senate.
Similarly, the Senate accepted an amend
ment proposed by Senator Burton pro-
hibiting Il common carrier to give in
formation to one shipper regarding ship
ments of a competitor.
After the rejection of the physical valu-
alton amendments early In the day the
big fight Of yesterdays session was over
tho amendment of Senator Bailey de-
signed to make effective the "commodi-
ties clause of previous law.
This prohibits common carriers from
having financial interests in mining or
other similar companies whose products
1t transports, and was found defective by
the United States Supreme Court. The
Senate regulars were well mounted for
the fray, and, after bringing the charge
that the amendment did rot meet the de-
fects pointed out by the courts. rejected
it by a vote Of twenty-five t. tlirty-one.
Senator Crawford Immediately after
ward presented similar amendment, and
it became the pending amendment when
the Senate met this morning. 1t a. eS not
go as far as the Bailey amendment, In
that il allows the railroad company which
mined or manufactured an article in good
faith to dispose of it. and If it has done
so ninety days prior to the time 1t Is OF
fered for shipment the ban is removed
from 1t