The Washington herald., 1918-03-14
AGREE
TO REPORT ON
RAILWAY BILL
Senate Approves Action Of
Conference Committee
by Big Vote.
DEBATE IS SPIRITED
"Outrageously Generous to
the Railroads" Says
Senator Johnson.

The conference report on the ad-
ministration railroad bill was adopt
ed by the Senate late yesterday aft
ernoon by a vote Of ~ to 8. Sem
ators voting against It were: Borah.
of Idaho; Cummins, of Iowa; Gore,
of oklahoma: Gronna. North DakotaJ
johnson, California; Kenyon, Iowa;
Norris. Nebraska, and Townsend.
Michigan.
The House has yet to act upon
the report which concerns the bill
giving the President authority to
take over the railroads and operate
them and to guarantee them certain
compensation.
New Matter Ruled Out.
The adoption of the report was
marked by opposition. In the fore
noon the Senate sent the document
back to its makers by q vote of
81 to %. This was because it was
held that new matter had been in
jected against a recent rule passed
by the upper House.
Senator Frelinghuysen made the
point that the conference report
provided that States should not be
allowed to increase their taxation
OF railroad properties. The bill had
specifically set forth that the taxing
powers of the States should not be
affected by the new law. but the
conference committee inserted the
Eew provision.
Vice President Marshall sus-
tained the point of order that no
new subject matter should be in
serted which had not been sanctioned
by either House. Senator Freling-
huysen charged that Director-Gen-
eral McAdoo wished the proviso
placed in the report.
When the report was brought
back to the Senate, late in the aft
ernoon, Senator Townsend, of Michi-
gan, a member of the Interstate
Commerce Committee, announced he
still considered the measure very
Objectionable.
IT think we will regret" he said.
''the day when we gave the President
such great powers. It's never neces-
sary for q republic to confer blanket
power upon Chief Executive or q
railroad DICTATOR y
Sometimes I think we are towards.
A bill is brought in and an enthusiastic
supporter runs up the flag of patriot
ism and says, You're not with the
President I'd rather be with my
country"
Would AboIish 1. c. c.
Senator Lewis. Of Illinois, a men,
hAN- 80 hA AaN
if he had his way he would abolish
the Interstate Commerce Commission
for the reason that complainants had
to come all the way to Washington
with their grievances. whereas the
body giving relief should be adjacent
to them.
Another speech was made by Senator
Cummins. of Iowa, a member Of the
committee, who voiced objections to
the bill. One OF these was unjust,
unfair. excessive compensation to GER
tain railroads" He also said he be-
lieved the Interstate Commerce Com
mission should not be deprived of any
bill was passed.
THE plain intent of the bilI." he de-
cIared, "is to let the President make
luO ldNtS. L lO
help him, I'd vastly rather let the rail-
road companies themselves make
rates, for they would look forward to
the commercial future after the war
and the government can look forward
only to the war progress, and what is
needful then"
Senator johnson. Of California, call
ed the bill unfair and unjust to the
people and outrageously generous to
the railroads" \
The conference report shows that
the bill was altered so as to allow the
President to initiate rates subject to
the review of the Interstate Commerce
Commission. Railroads are guaran-
teed a return based on their average
operating income for three years end
ing June 30. 1917. There is a revolving
fund Of 100000 900 to purchase rolling
stock. Federal control ceases TWEEN
ty-one months after peace is de-
clared