The Washington herald. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1906-1939, 1910-03-22

The insurgents in the Senate had a lot
of fun yesterday with Senator Elkins, OF
West Virginia, who, as chairman OF the
Interstate Commerce Commission, has
charge OF the administration railroad bill
The insurgents had been accusing Sena-
tor Elkins and the other organization
Senators with being haif-heaTted in their
support.
Senator Elkins essayed TO do the speech
making for the bill. and he prefaced his
remarks with the request that the Senate
should refrain from interrupting him.
Senator Elkins isn't good at rough and
tumble debate. ana that may have been
the reason why he asked that he be
allowed TO read his speech without inter-
ruption.
Insurgents Interrupted.
At any rate, the insurgents paid little
heed 20 the request, Several times sena-
tor CummiGs. who on Saturday finished
three-day speech on the bill. announced
that he could not permit statements made
by Senator EllSins to appear unehallenged
in the record.
Does the Senator from West Virginia
recall what Theodore Roosevelt said on
the question of rate discrimination?
asked Senator Cummins on one occasion.
Il can't remember everything he has
said" retorted Senator Elkins. and every
body in the chamber smiled.
but having quoted the former Presi-
dent here several times" observed SEN
ator Cummins, 7 thought you might
want to put his opinion in respect to this
subject in your speech.
Put it in your own speech. snapped
Senator Elkins.
IF do, will you agree to stand by it?''
asked the Senator from Iowa.
We'll. I'll have TO read it first" said
the Senator from West Virginia.
At one stage of Mr.. EIkns' speech Sem
ators who were sitting near him engaged
in a eross-fire of questions that were not
audible In some parts of the chamber,
and later Senator Bailey questioned the
Senator from West Virginia in a whisper.
The Senate laughed heartily at the Incl
dent. and Senator La Toilette rose to say.
y did not hear that whisper"
Fun with EIkins.
All this was done merely for the pur-
pose of having some goOd-natured fun
with Senator Elkins. He got all fus-
tered on several occasions, and lost the
line where he was reading-aH Of which
seemed TO tickle the regulars and insur-
gents alike.
Replying to the suggestion that the bill
had not been properly considered in COM
mittee. Senator Elkins said:
THE bill is here on its merits. just as
any other bin duly reported, 10 be voted
on favorably or unfavorabIy, or TO be
amended. just as the Senate may direct.
When the Hepburn bill was before the
Committee on Interstate Commerce, in
1906. more than fifty amendments were
offered. and in order to expedite the con-
sideration OF the measure and save time,
the bill was reported 10 the Senate, and
There was no criticism Of this course.
This bill follows precisely the plan adopt
ed by the committee in reporting the
Hepburn bill The right was reserved on
both occasions TO any member OF the
lcOmmittee TO offer amendments on the
floor OF the Senate"
Spoke of Opposition.
Senator Elkins also yentured the opin-
ion that the railroads are opposed to the
bill
In discussing the court review provi-
sion of the bill, he indicated that he
would not object to an amendment TO per-
NIT a review of the introductory injunc-
tiOn in the Supreme Court.
In discussing the provisions affecting
the Issue of stock and bonds and reor-
ganization and merger he said:
The bill in this respect was carefully
drawn for the purpose of accomplishing
the main end in view-of preventing IN
the future the issue by railroads of in
fated and fictitious amounts of stock and
bonds, but, on the other hand, of avoid
ing any interference with the ordinary
and legitimate methods of securing capt
tai by such companies under the laws OF
the States by which they are respectively
organized. Much of the criticism upor
these sections proceeds from a disregard
OF the fact that the Federal government
does not confer upon the railroad com
panies power TO issue stock or bonds, but
! it can only operate by way of restraint
and res1fIafi -