Albuquerque morning journal. [volume] (Albuquerque, N.M.) 1903-1926, 1919-12-20

SCbNENNh
Washington. Dec. 19.--The senate
remained in session until a late hour
tonight in an effort to pass before ad-
tournment the long considered rail-
road bill and enable congress to re-
cess tomorrow for the Christmas holi-
days.
Decision TODAY by the republican
steering committee of the senate that
the bill must be passed and the legis-
lation sent to conference before any
recess 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
claimed saying assurances had come
from opponents that no protracted
obstruction would be attempted.
Before the final contests on the two
bill-the anti-strike and other labor
clauses ana the proposed rate guar
antee to the roads-the senate dis
posed # MANY minor amendments,
Including proposal by Senator
guarantee. minimum wages for rail-
road employees on a scale determined
bv the cost of living,
Final Action in January.
odSs During the sd debate Leaders fb watehed Mh;td
House or the railroad administration
regarding the presidents plan for
dealing with the roads. Unconfirmed
reports were current that the presi-
dent was preparing to announce that
he would extend government control
to December 81, 1890. but leaders
said that even should an order come
the legislation returning the carriers
to private ownership would. when
enacted. supersede an, executive order:
Although LEADERS felt confident of
sending the legislation to conference
for adjustment during the holiday
recess, they said final action was not
contemplated before reconvenlng of
congress in January.
The parliamentary situation was
smoothed out when Senator Cummins
secured unanimous consent to sub
stitute the house bill technically for
TIE senate measure which would ex-
nedite its movement to conference.
The senate also agreed to vote on a
substitute bill by Senator La Toilette.
republican. Wisconsin,. proposing re-
tention OF the railroads by the gov
erpment fot q period of two years.
One Clause Cut Out.
The senate tonight overturned its
previous action. and rejected by a
vote of 81 to il an amendment by
senator Jones. republican, Washing
ton. designed to prevent alleged dis
bv Canadian railroads
against American carrier by cutting
rates on freight between points in the
United States. but carried through
The amendment would have
prohibited American roads from max
ing freight connections with such
roads.
Opposltien to the amendment was
led by New England senator's, who
claimed II would work against the in
terests of New England industries.
Senators Nelson and Kellogg, repub-
licans of Minnesota. asserted that the
Interstate Commerce commission now
has authority to do what the Jones
seeks.
"All this amendment seeks to do"
replied Senator Jones. lis to prevent
the secret and unfair methods of Ca |
madam railroads and 1t will not affect
the industries of New England"
The senate also adopted an amend |
ment BY Senator Thomas. democrat. |
making railroad tickets |
cha ser.
In last attack on the anti-strike
clause, the modified substitute of |
Senator Mccormick. republican. I'LL
a vote of 33 to 30. 1t was defeated |
Yesterday on a tie vote.
Party lines were split on the vote |
ln the Mccormick amendment. thir-
.een republicans and seventeen dem
,crats supporting IT, while twenty re-
Dublicans and thirteen democrats
Joted in opposition.
Among those opposing the amend
nent was Senator Robinson. demo-
,rat of Arkansas, who declared there !
vas no excuse for strike of railroad |
employees in view of the impartial |
government tribunals provided by the
ill.
While voting in favor of the
amendment. Senator Kenyon, repub-
lean. Iowa, said he thought that the
abor section should be made general
n effect and that the people were
becoming tired of strikes. He said
le did not like the Cummins bin and
avored an opportunity for the con-
erees to work out a compromise
Upon rejection of the Mccormick
ubstitute. Senator Stanley. democrat.
kentucky. moved to eliminate the
Inti-strike clause. A similar motion
" the Kentucky senator was defeat
d Yesterday. L
This is a system Of involuntary
eryitude. monstrous and abhorrent."
aid Senator Stanley referring to the
he days of chattel slavery. 1t is in
amous and humiliating."
When the vote was taken Senator
tanle-'s motion again was defeated.
9 to "a.
The motion secured support of five
La Toilette. Wisconsin,: |
.enroot Wisconsin,: McNary. Oregon:
,orris. Nebraska. and Spencer Mis-
ouri, and nineteen democrats. Cham.
erlain. GAY. Gerry. Harris. Harrison.
henderson. Jones New Mexico)
1endricks. King. Kirby. McKellar,
LUCENT. Sheppard. Smith (South Car
lina). Stanley, Tramel. Walsh MAS
Fletch6r and Wolcott