The Wheeling intelligencer. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1903-1961, 1912-06-12
SOLONS ABOLISH
NEW TRIBUNAL
REFUSE APPROPRIATION
FOR COMMERCE COURT.
Possible Taft May Veto Appropria-
ton Bill, Because of This
One Feature.
Senators Watson and Chiffon
Vote For Measure That
Will Terminate Court.

WASHINGTON, June 11.-Only the
signature Of President Taft is now re-
quired to abolish the Commerce Court
OF the United States, The legislating
out OF existence OF that tribunal ere
ated only two years ago and which
the Supreme Court of the United
States recently declared had exceeded
its powers finally and definitely was
determined upon to-day when the SEN
ate by a vote OF SO to 23, defeated an
amendment 10 make provision for
maintaining the court in the legisla-
tive. executive and judicial appropri-
alton bill. BY this vote the Senate
reversed its own appropriations com.
mittee which had reported the adopt
ion OF the bill. This put both houses
OF Congress In accord on the matter
OF abOlishing the court There is a
likelihood. IL was asserted in Official
circles tonight that President Taft
would veto the bill because OF the
courts elemenJation.
Chiffon and Watson Against Court.
or the votes cast in opposition to
the court 26 were by Democrats and
the remaining 10 by Republicans.
The Democratic vote in this column
was as follows:
Bacon. Ashurst. Bryan, Chamber
lain, Chiffon. Culberson, Fletcher.
/ Gardner. Gore. Hitchcock Johnston,
Johnson. Martin. MARITIME. Myers.
Overman, Percy. Pomerene. Raymer,
! Reed, Shively. Simmons. Swanson.
Smith, of Georgia; Tillman and Wat
son.
: The Republican negative vote was
cast in the main by progressives. but
/ Senators Nelson and Hepburn Joined
, them in opposition. The progressive
/ Republicans voting thus were:
BOURNE, Bristow. Clapp. Crawford.
Cummins. Gronna, LaFollette, and
Poindexter.
Senator Thornton OF Louisiana.
was the only Democrat who voted
for continuance OF the court. The
22 Republicans voting in support OF
/ the court were: Bradley. Burton. Cul-
Ion, Dillingham;. Dupont. Gallinger.
Jones. Lodge. Lor:mer. McCumber.
Mclean. Oliver. Page. Perkins. Root.
Smith. OF Michigan: Smoot. Stephen.
son. Sutherland. Townsend, Warren
and Whitmore.
May Leave Judges JobIess.
The court is composed OF five
judges who would be dispersed and
take up their duties as members Of
the various circuit courts or appeal
II they are not dropped c'It OF Office
altogether as proposed by some SEN
ators. The courts elaborate quarters
here were furnished al considerable
expense. The cases heretofore passed
upon by the commerce court. which
. involved only railroad litigation on
appeal from decisions OF the Inter
state Commerce Commission again
would be handled by the United
States district courts.
The discussion occupied most OF
the days session OF the senate
Speeches were made In favor OF aboli-
ton by Senator'S Poindexter. over
man. Ashurst and Cummins and in
opposition by Senators Townsend and
Burton The court was attacked not
only on account ~ its unique position
but on the charge Of extravaganza.
Mr.. Overman alleged that its expendi-
tures had been far beyond the neces-
stiles. Messrs. Poindexter. Cummins
and Ashurst said the court was un-
necessary and undesirable. u was
contended that its existence nullified
the work of the interstate commerce
commission. Senators Stone and Bur
ton defended the court as calculated
10 expedite business. Mr.. Townsend