New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1910-05-28
RAILROAD BILL CHANGE
Commerce Commission May Con-
troll Telephone and Telegraph.
SENATE FOR AMENDMENT
Clause TO Prevent Consolidation
of Railroads Put Over for
Consideration on Monday.
IRON The Tribune Bureau

From The Tribune bureau
washington Nav T-The Senate made
further progress on the railroad bill to-day
but II is apparent that a final vote VIII
not be taken before Monday or Tuesday
late this afternoon an amendment was
offered by Senator Brown 10 prevent the
consolidation Of competing lines Of rail-
roads. Mr. Brown co-operated with the
insurgents I'm the tariff fight. but has
.o.ned with the regulars in his votes on
the railroad BIZ. His amendment to-day
came as surprise TO the friends OF the
BILL some of whom were hopeful that
final vote might be taken to-day The lead
srs have not had an opportunity carefully
TO examine the Brown amendment and il
fs not likely that It will be considered until
Monday.
Senator Iorfrner is slated to address the
Senate tomorrow on the bribery charges
against members Of the Illinois Legislat-
ure, and eulogy exercises will be held when
he concludes.
Practically all OF the debate to-day GEN.
tired on the Doiliver amendment providing
q plan for the regulation of railroad capt.
tslizstion. Senator Dolliver spoke al length
In favor Of his amendment, which was ad-
rocated by Senator Newlands. Senator
Hughes opposed the amendment and took
sharp Issue with Senator Newlands that
the Dolliver proposal was along the lines
OF legislation favored by the Democratic
party. Senator Stone spoke IL favor Of the
Dolliver amendment
Replying TO the Dollive- speech, Senator
Elkins said he favored The prirCiple OF con-
trolling railroad capitalization. but de-
clared IL was question Of great n.asni-
tude. There was danger OF infringing on
the powers of the states to create corpora
tons. and while the Dolliver plan had
may good features il was SO complicated
as !, make il difficult TO understand. IT
IVES not practical, Mr.. Elkins said, to enter
upon this subject at the present session.
On a yea and nay vote the Dolliver
amendment was defeated, q 10. The
following Republicans voted for the
amendn1eat: Senators Beverage. Borah,
Bourne Bristow, Brown. Burkett, Burton,
Clapp, Crawford, Cummins. Dixon, Dolli-
Yer Gamble Jones and La Toilette.
Senator Dixon then offered the provision
OF the House bill relating 10 the regulation
OF telephone and telegraph companies. II
was complained that this amendment, COW
ering nine pages, was so long and compi-
Gated that X would be impossible for the
Senate TO consider II for several days. Sen
stor Brandegees motion TO table the
amendment was defeated, 81 to %.
Senator La Toilette then offered an
amendment of three or four lines giving
the Interstate Commerce Commission juris-
diction over telegraph and telephone COM
penies engaged in transacting interstate
business. When this had been amended. at
the suggestion of Senator Hepburn, TO ex
clude corporations transmitting messages
by wireless telegraphy IL was accepted by
Senator Elkins.
The suggestion for the inclusion of teIe
graph and telephone companies within the
control OF the Interstate Commerce Com
mission was made by Senator Dixon, Of
Montana. but ultimately his amendment
was superseded by one IN simpler form
which was offered by Senator La Toilette.
The Senate reached the voting stage at
O'Clock after an animated debate, which
vas carried on largely on the Democratic
side Of the chamber, and which dealt espe-
cially with the question as 10 whether the
p9liver amendment regulating the stock
and bond issues Of railroads was in accord
ance with the last Democratic platform.
II had been supposed that action on
the Dolliver provision would be followed
by votes on tie physical valuation amend
nlert offered by Mr.. La Toilette and the
national Incorporation amendment of Sena-
tor Newlands. When, therefore, Mr. Dixon
was recognized 10 present his telegraph
amendment, some surprise was manifested
Senator La Follette's amendment which
was finally adopted, was as follows:
That telegraph and telephone companies
except wireless transacting interstate
business are hereby placed under the su-
pervision and control of the Interstate
Commerce Commission. subject to the pro-
visions OF an act TO regulate commerce ap-
proved February 1, 1857, which are appli-
cable thereto