The Salt Lake tribune. [volume] (Salt Lake City, Utah) 1890-current, 1910-05-05
MANaLINe THE RAILROAD BILL.

The administration measure known
as "the railroad bilI'' is receiving
rough treatment in both houses of
Congress. The bill was introduced in
identical form in each house, but as
reported to each from committee, there
was a wide variance. And now in
process Of considering the bills as re.
ported. further changes by way OF
amendments appear, but as to some
vital points, both houses are in accord,
Both strike out the section which was
held to repeal the antitrust law, and
that allowed of railroad combinations
and agreements. The Senate strikes
out the amended section which would
have permitted any railroad owning fifty
per cent of the stock of another, TO
absorb it. The House adopts the sec
tion forbidding a greater charge for
short haul than for a long haul; but
this with qualifications, and II is evl-
dent that Aldrich will fight this in the
Senate. The prospect Of agreement be
tween the two houses on this railroad
bill is not bright; and it is sure that
whatever measure each house passes
will be widely different from the meas
urc introduced; while If il should hap
pen that both do agree and pass rail
road bill, it will be no such measure
as the administration formulated. III
may be, instead. now that liberty to
form combines and agreements is strick-
en- from the bill in each house, there
viii be no further pressure to pass the
bill.
This railroad bill stands first Of the
FIVE so-caled administration measures.
II is being battered ont of recognition.
The second measure is the postal saw
inss bill. The Senate has passed n
makeshift measure, admittedly out OF
the question. as amendments imprac-
teal and self destructive were admitted
in order to get the bill through. The
House has the BILL and seems in no
hurry 10 report it. But an entirely
new bill. designed as a substitute, has
been introduced.
The third Of the administration meas
ures is the bill to modify the practice
of issuing injunctions in Federal courts,
conformably tc the declaration of the
Republican National platform. There
seems nothing doing in respect to this
in either house.
The fourth is the bill allowing the |
President. in his judgment, TO withdraw |
lands from entry under any of the land |
laws, when he considers that consef
walton policies require it. In his speech |
to the Farmers Convention at St Louis |
yesterday, President Taft was urgent in |
support of this bill. But the facts that
both law and precedent leave the CON
troll of non.navigable waters in the Jur
isdiction of the States, and that this
bill would vest that control, so far as
power sites are concerned, in the hands
of the President, thus forming new
aud perhaps unconstitutional departure
from precedent and tradition, will most
likely defeat this proposition
The fifth measure is the bill admit
ting Arizona and New Mexico TO State.
hood. This appears to he completely
promised by the National Republican
of 1908, this admission will
be deferred until after the Presidential
election of 1912.
The administration programme Of leg
islation appears, therefore, to be on
the verge of defeat. 1t is of more
Importance to the members Of Congress
to get home and see about their polit.
ical fortunes than to attend to general
legislation The prospect is for an
in about a month And
that viii force postponemcnt OF the
whole programme