Daily press. [volume] (Newport News, Va.) 1896-current, 1910-03-17
SUPPORTERS OF MEASURE
ARE R0UNDLY ATTACKED
Bitter Criticism is Hcaped Upon Ef'
forts 20 Push Through the Pro
posed Law Without Amendments
Hurl Blows at the Original Move
mcnt as Directed by Mr.. Taft.

! 1By Associated frcss.1
WASHINGTON. ID. G.. March 10
In the sharpest debate yet provoked
in the senate OF the administration
railroad bill. bitter criticism CT the
oction OF supporters of the bill ia
trying 10 put the measure through
without amendment, ELECTED from
Senator Aldrich an admission that
the bill could be amended.
This statement was made during
the second day of Senator Cummns
speech attacking the bill, but not un-
til after friends of the measure had
been accused of trying to hide be
hind the President and the fact that
il had been drafted at his direction.
For more than two hours the
President figured in the discussion
and fer a time his title. If not his
name, was banded about with a
freedom that amounted to reckless
rcss.
In this portion Of the debate Sena-
tors Aldrich, Bailey. Cummins. Root.
Elkins and Bacon figured conspic-
uously.
Submission Not Needed.
Senator Cummins contended that
the provision referring To traffic
agreements would render them legal
without their submission to the com
mission. He asserted there had
been conspicuous silence in the COM
mittee on this subject ard thereupcn
Mr.. Crawford turned to Senator Aid
rich who is a member of the com
mit,ee On interstate commerce, and
! questioned him as TO his interpreta-
! ton OF the meaning of the provls-
| ion.
THE whole truth" interrupted Mr..
| Bailey. before Mr. Aldrich could re-
ply. is that the intention OF the pro
vision for the repeal Of the anti
trust law is TO reverse the Supreme
| Court of the United States. The Of
| feet and purpose is to take the rail
reads from under the Supreme
! Court"
Refutes intimstion.
/ Mr.. Aidrich refuted the intimation
of the Texas senator and from this
cc,loluy arose a general discussion as
to whether the original intention toI
/ include the railroads in the original
| Sherman antitrust bill. during which
Mr.. Aldrich said that no senator who
had voted for it had the slightest
/ idea that the railroads were embTac
ed within its terms.
"But all the same you are now try
ing To take them out of it, reiterated
/ Mir. Bailey.
Il beg pardon" responded :1r.
! Aldrich. but that is not true. The
senator from Texas is mistaken as toI
| the purpose Of the proposed law, as
is the senator from Iowa
Mr.. Cummins would no; ADMIT that
he could be mistaken.
Violate Law Every Day.
Senator Eikins undertook TO refutel
this contention by reading the pro
vision engaging the arguments and in
so d-ing. broadly asserted that
evcTycnc must know the railroads
violate the Law every day. This as
sertion was challenged by several
senators. but the West Virginia
senator held to his position and
asked. Now. why cmba-rass the rail
reads ?"
True. true responded Mr.. Cum
Minis. half under his breath.
Mr.. Eikins ccntcndcd that even
Though agreements we're authorized
the pending bill. the commission
would stsli have control over rates
and even mere comprehensive than
under the present law.
Mr.. Aldrich referred 10 a supposed
alliance between the -insuTscnt
Republicans and the Democrats and
thcr. after a brief protest from Mr.
Cummins. over this method Of pre-
scnfing The matter. the Rhode -sland
senator declared IL TO be his opinion
that no schedule Il the roads. whcth-
er under agreement or not. could -
isio effect without the approval Of
the commission.
IT that IS not made clear IN thcl
bill ] am perfectly willing 10 have
ii made So said Mr.. Aidrich The
] Presidents name was then brought
into the discussion.
Presidents Name Used.
Nr. Cummins siiii was discussing
The terms 81 the ailoIcd antitrust
rercai and referring - some Of the
provisions when Mr.. Aidrich stated
That ~sach vas the purpose e the
I President and attorney general
This sfaicmcn; brought Mr. Nci
son a. hts feet win strenuous pro
Tests
The senator uIrssi bot hide bchiad