New-York tribune., 1919-12-20
Senate to Vote
On r all Bill
This Afternoon
La Toilette Prevents Final
Action at Late Session
and Attempt Is Given Up
at Midnight by Leaders

WASHINGTON, Dec. 19.-After a ses-
sion Of more than twelve hours the
Senate tonight failed to reach vote
on the Cummins railroad bill. but
shortly before midnight adjourned with
an agreement to vote finally on the bill
at 1880 p. m. tomorrow A concurrent
agreement also called for final vote
at 1880 o'clock tomorrow or the
sugar control bill
proposal by Senator. La Toilette,
Republican, Wisconsin, upon which he
plans to speak tomorrow, extending
government control of railroads for
two years, alone prevented passage OF
the bill tonight, the Senate having dis
posed Of all other important amend
ments, including rejection of all eff
forts to eliminate or modify the anti
strike clause
The agreement for final disposition
Of the railroad and sugar control bills
cleared the way for adjournment of
Congress tomorrow for a two weeks
holiday recess until January 5. No
doubt was expressed by leaders that
the recess plans would be interfered
with. although for a time night
objection to the proposals for votes on
the sugar and railroad measures
threatened to disrupt the program
The Senate will meet at 10 o'clock
tomorrow
Opposition Weakens
Decision to-day by the Republican
steering committee of the Senate that
the bill must be passed and the legis-
lation sent to conference before re-
cess could be taken. leaders said,
greatly improved prospects of hasten
ing final action. There was a notice
able weakening in the ranks of the
opposition, advocates Of the bill as
serted, as assurances had come from
opponents that no protracted obstruc-
ton would be attempted.
Before the final contests on the two
principal disputed provisions of the
bill-the anti strike and other labor
clauses and the proposed rate guaran-
tee TO the railroads Senate dis
posed of many minor amendments, re-
iccting a proposal by Senator Walsh.
Democrat, Massachusetts, to guaran-
tee minimum wages for railroad en-
ployees on a scale determined by the
cost of living.
During the debate leaders watched
closely for word from the White House
or the railroad administration re
garding the Presidents plan for deal
ing with the railroads. Uncontirmed d
reports were current that the Presi-
dent was preparing to announce he
I ~
December 81, 1920, but leaders said
that even should such an order come
the legislation returning the carriers
to private ownership would, when Ell
acted, supersede an Executive order
White House officials disclaimed any
knowledge of the Presidents plans, and
at the railroad administration it was
said that the President had given NO
notice Of change in his plan to turn
the roads back at the end of this cal
endar year.
Final Action in January
Although leaders felt confident OF
sending the legislation to conference
for adjustment during the holiday re-
cess, they said final enactment was not
contemplated before reconvening of
Congress in January.
smoothed out when Senator Cummins
secured unanimous consent to substi-
tute the House bill technically, or the
Senate measure, which would expedite
its movement to conference. The Sem
ate also agreed to vote on substitute
bin by Senator La Toilette, Repub-
lican, Wisconsin, proposing retention
of the railroads by the government for
period of years.
Good progress was made this after
noon on the few remaining amend
ments.
The proposal of Senator Smith, Dem
ocrat, South Carolina, to strike out the
clause requiring approval of the pro-
posed transportation board for new
railroad lines or extensions was de-
feated, 23 to "A. Senator Smith and
others declared the board would be a
"political body" while Senator Cum
MINIS, Republican, Iowa, in charge Of
the bill. insisted that the provision was
necessary to protect the public against
unnecessary construction.
Senator Chambe rlain, Democrat, Ore
gon, declared the railway problem next
to the war in it's Importance to the
country, ard said he would vote
against the bill as hasty legislation.
Continual m, uprf 1nne