Omaha daily bee., 1910-06-19
RAIL BILLS PASS
Two of Most Important Administra-
ton Measures Finally Accepted
by Congress.
TAFT's SIGNATURE NECESSARY
Presidents Approval Will Make Docu-
ments National Laws.
TRAFFIC BILL ACCEPTED FIRST
Most Important Features Are Com
merce Court and Rate Power.
ARIZONA AND NEW MEXICO WIN
Definite Date Not Fixed for Admits
sion of Territories to Union
Owing to Necessary Pre-
limInnry Action.
Presidents Approval Will Make Docu-
ments National Laws.
TRAFFIC BILL ACCEPTED FIRST
Most Important Features Are Com
merce Court and Rate Power.
ARIZONA AND NEW MEXICO WIN


most important measures of the admin
istration, namely the railroad and state
hood bills, were acted upon finally by
congress today, and will become laws as
soon as they receive Presidents Tafts
signature.
This action was taken by the house.
the senate having previously disposed Of
both measures, 1t was accomplished
practically without debate, and in record
time, not even a roll call being required
in the whole procedure.
The railroad bill was the first to
receive consideration. Chairman Mann OF
the committee on interstate and foreign
commerce called the conference report
from the speakers table Brief speeches
were made, among them being several by
democrats in expression of their opposi-
tion to the report. It
Final action on statehood legislation
was accomplished with even greater ease.
BY reason of pressure from the White
House and aided by some diplomatic work
by Postmaster General Hitchcock, op-
position to the acceptance of the senate
amendments to the statehood bill we're
almost entirely dissipitated
The democrats were induced to foreRo
their objection through the judicious cir
into conference 1t might not emerge DUR
ing the present session. Chairman
Hamilton of the house committee on ter
ritories, at once realized that the only
way to put the legislation through and
! not delay the present session was {,
| agree to the senate amendments and well
coined the administrations assistance.
Date Not Certain.
| 1t cannot he stafad dafInitaIv x,Anr
Arizona and New Mexico Will come into
the union under this legislation. It re-
| quires that the constitutions adopted by
the proposed states must be ratified by con-
| gress and approved by the president. Con-
| ceding that the statehood bill will be in
force within few days. 1t viii be neces-
sary for the territories to hold constltu-
! tional conventions, which will require many
weeks; submit the constitutions to the peo-
pie of the territories for adoption, and then
return them to Washington
Provision is made against joint elections
for the adoption of the constitution and for
the nomination or election of state officers.
1t is impossible, therefore to specify when
the people of the two territories will enjoy
the benefits of statehood and many be-
lieve that 1t will not be before the presi-
dental election of 1912.
The railroad BILL which Will be ready for
! the presidents signature on his return to
Washington, Is substantially in accordance
with the presidents message demanding
amendments to the interstate commerce
laws. About the only exceptions are that
, 1t does not legaze holding agreements
made by railroads permit mergers or
regulate the issuance of stocks and bonds
, II creates a commerce court and broadens
the scope of the Jurisdiction by the Inter
InN.
q regulations and practices by railroads. 1t
also brings telegraph, telephone and cable
! companies within that Jurisdiction
4 Power Over Rates.
Supervision is given to the commission
over increases of rates. and this section,
S as well as one making provision for the
! Investigation Of the stock and bond ques-
tion, will go into effect Immediately upon
the bills being signed. Othor provisions.
and they are extensive, will take effect
D within sixty days from the date OF ar
proval
n BY viva voce voto which was prao-
: tically unanimous the house today, after
: nearly two hours of discussion, agreed to
8 the conference report on the railroad bIll.
a No amendment was offered or adopted. The
v bill now goes to the president for signature.
o At the conclusion OF the debate upon tho
q bill and, without any effort to send the
@ report back to conferences, Speaker Cannon
). put the measure upon its final passage
n Without a dissenting vote the report was
h agreed to and the announcement OF the
a adoption of the report was greeted with
l. applause. The bill was at once carried ID
Il Speaker Cannon at his desk for his sigma
h ture. 1t was then sent TO the senate for
n the signature Of Vice President Sherman.
a Statehood mn Passed.
d The statehood bill to admit Arzons and
Now Mexico to the union passed the house
at p. m. 1t now requires the sgnaturs
e Of the president to become law. BY viva
= voce vote the house concurrcd IN the sen
h ate amendments to tho bill
c The house took up the statehood Hill i'm.
W mediately following tho conference report
it on the railroad bill.
0 Chairman Hamilton of the committee OF
-- territories moved that the house concur II
the senate amendments and Representa- tlv,
- Lloyd of Missouri, speaking for the
democrats, also favored THIS suarse
or the three senate amendments the on,
as to the Arizona election law is sRtisfac
tory to the house committee and 1t hal
been expected that the senate would put 4
In the bill
The amendment providing that congress
pass on the constitution Of the new state
was regarded as necessary to secure al
J. agreement on the bill in the senate.
: The other amendment concerning the dis
position OF public lands for payment Of
i debts the house committee was willing I,
: ooncede to avoid hanging up the bill n
conference.
!, The bill having been signed By Ve'
e President Sherman, was brought to tn,
, house and Speaker Cannon added his sigma
n tire to II. II was At once sent to IN,
s White House for the approval OF the prcsi
= dent
e Leaders in both houses now believe ad
= journment can be reached by next Thurs
ldsW