The watchman and southron. [volume] (Sumter, S.C.) 1881-1930, 1918-03-16
RAILROAD MEASURE PASSED.
SENATE ADOPTS CONFERENCES
REPORT ON CONTROL BILL.
Seven Republicans and Senator Gore
of Oklahoma ODcmocrat) Record
Votes in Negative.

Washington, March lathe senate
tonight adopted the conference report
on the administration railroad con-
trol bill by vote of AZ to eight, af-
ter it had rejected and the conferees
had eliminated a provision limiting
power OF the States to tax the car
riers while under federal control. The
bill now goes to the house for final
action, probably tomorrow.
Voting against the report were /:
Senators Borah of Idaho, Cummins OF
Iowa, Gronna of North Dakota. John
son of California, Kenyon of Iowa.
Norris of Nebraska and Townsend of
Michigan (Republicans), and Gore of
Oklahoma (Democra).
Elimination of the tax provision re-
suits from initial use of the new SEN
ate rule prohibiting conferees from
writing new matter into a bill.
A point of order by Senator Ere
linghuysen of New Jersey (Republi
CAM against the tax clause was up
held today by Vice President Marshal
and sustained by the senate, 81 to 90.
The bill then was returned to con-
ference where the original tax sec
tion, providing that State taxes and
railroad regulations shall not be in
terfered with SO far as they are
consistent with federal control, was
reinserted.
Other principal provisions of the
bill, retained as the conferees adjust
ed them, are those for compensating
the railroads on the basis of their
ret income for the three years end
ing June 80, 1917. involving an esti-
mated federal guarantee of about
$495,OOO,OOO annually, limiting fed
eral operation to 81 months after the
war; authorizing the president to ini-
tiate rates, subject to approval by
the interstate commerce commission
appropriating $500, 900, 900 for a re-
voking fund for the director general
and placing all short lines" within
the federal system.
In the final debate today, Senator
Johnson of California (Republican)
said the bill was unfair and unjust
to the people and outrageously gen
erous to the railroads. while Senator
Townsend Of Michigan (Republican)
and Senator Cummins Of Iowa Gre.
publican) reiterated their criticism OF
some sections. Some of the bills
principles, said Mr.. Townsend, are
"subservient Of good government"
1T is never proper for a republic
to confer blanket power on an execu-
tive or railroad director" said the
Michigan senator. II some times thinl,
we are towards. A bill is introduced
and some one raises the flag of pa
triotism and says unless we support
this bill, we are not supporting the
president.
Il would rather be for my country
l will support the president whenever
that is necessary for the successful
prosecution Of the war"
Senator Cummins said he believed
the compensation proposed for the
roads would do more to sow the
seeds of discontent' than any other
measure ever enacted by the senate.
MY objection to the BILL" said the
Iowa senator. lis that it gives unjust,
unfair and excessive compensation to
a large percentage of the transporta-
ton facilities of the United States.
IF 1T were necessary in order TO
continue the government of the roads
to pay them their compensation. I
might agree to the provision, but il is
not necessary to pay the roads the
sum Of money here authorized"
Criticisng the rate making provi-
sion, Senator Cummins said it was TO
be expected that the railroad man.
ayers whom Director General Mo-
Adoo has gathered around him will,
continue to urge rate increases with
in six months, the senator predicted
the rates will be "substantial,v in.
creased"