The log cabin Democrat., 1915-02-18
THREE CENT RATE BEFORE SENATOR'S MOTION TO TABLE FAILS SENATORS DESIRE TO HEAR RAIROADS' SIDE BEFORE
 VOTING.

i"iioe'oo, anu SiVlHR them an Opp0r- tunity to be heard, had their hands full in the senate Wednesday after noon fighting off efforts to send the Wagner bill providing that the Ar kansas Railroad Commission be given power to fix the passenger rates on railroads of 15 miles or less at five cents per mile, and over that length at maximum of three cents per mile, from sudden demise. Objection was made to the second reading of the bill, and this was voted down. Then motion was made by Senator Smith of Columbia to table, and this was defeated, 19 to 8. Senator Bush then moved indefinite postponement, and this lost, 12 to 20 Senator Smith of Columbia then moved that the bill be made special order for Thursday morning, with the intent of forcing a vote on the merits of the bill at that time, and killing it before it had been heard by committee. This lost, 19 to IA, it requiring a thirds vote to suspend the rules for this purpose All this time Senator Wagner had been making motions to refer to the Judiciary committee, and after the last Smith motion the bill was forced to the calendar without reference by adjournment.
 Some of the most fiery debate heard on the floor during the session was uncorked on this measure. Senator Futrell opened it on the motion to in- definitely postpone, which was the first chance for debate, as the motion to table was not debatable. He ridi- culed the idea of going into the rate matter on it's merits, saying that it could not tbe done in less than four years time, calling attention to the time consumed in preparing the rate cases. He further declared that for the legislature to recede from its stand when it passed the rate bill, would be an admission to the supreme court of the United States that the legislature was wrong in it's conten- tion. Senator Futrell stated such ac- tion would replace Arkansas in rdic- ulous position, and that this year, an off one for business, should not be considered as an example by the rail roads or any other line of business
 Senator Smith of Columbia follow ed and asserted that he did not desire to throttle an effort by the railroads to gain a fair hearing if it had a chance, but that every senator knew at that time how he would vote after the matter had been thoroughly threshed out, consequently there was no reason for taking so much time of the legislature. He favored an early vote, saying it would be impossible to get correct information, for no sen- ator would know thing about the condition of the railroads, even after going over the books.
 Senator Lundy devoted considerable time to ridiculing the efforts of the railroads to sway the legislature through circulating petitions, and stated that it would be impossible to secure the names of hundreds of good citizens to petition to force the chief executive to wear ear rings. He advocated the immediate death of the bill, urging that i've bury it in Pot ter's field and let these paid mourners go home" He stated that if he re- ceived a petition from every man, woman and child in his district that he would not support the bill.
 Senator Bush spoke at length, se- verely arraigning the railroads, alleg- ing that they represent the wealth of the world and that it has all been &C., cumulated in the past 50 years. He classed the railroads as the biggest robbers in the world. Senator Gar rett also spoke against the bill.
 Senators Burgess and Greenhouse urged that the railroads be given an opportunity to secure relief, and that every business in the state had been injured by the great loss of revenue to the railroads. Senator Wagner closed the debate in favor of the bill re do anything that would injure any of his constituents, but he did strenu- ously protest against the efforts that have been made to drive great insti- tutions outside the state.
 All of those who defended the bill pleaded for a chance to hear the rail road side of the question, saying they were not sure as to how they would vote in the end, but they wished in formation, and in no other way could they get it except in sending the bill to a committee.
 The senate passed bills as follows: Tedford, extending the boundaries of the England special school district; i;