T H E R A T E B IL L .
IN TUE NATIONAL HAILS OL CONGRESS
Monday, February 12.
Washington, Feb. 12. — The senate
today adopted a joint reMolutioii re
potted by Tillman from tha senate
committee on interstate
commerce,
which direct* the Interstate Commerce
ComtniMlon to investigate the charge of
dlncriminatinii and combination in re-
etraint id tiade mad« against the rail-
roada. It was a joint reaolution, and
muat he paaae l by the bouae and
signed by the preaident (adore it be
come* effective.
The adoption of the
reaolution waa preceded by a apeech by
Tillm an, in which be
practically
charged that the administration waa
not proceeding in good faith to aecure
railroad legislation, t« • c a n ho he waa not
eatiatind with the president's adviaer*.
Among theae he mentioneil Hecretary
Hiatt and Henator Kuos.
I .oi I ye alao apoke at length on the
railroad question.
He delivered a
carefully prepared apeech, in which
fie took a position for yoveinmental
reyulalion of rate*, hut adviaed the ut-
moat caution ayainat tint radical action
He esprnaead the opinion that the giv-
iny of reliatea waa practically the only
evil esiatiny in connection with the
railroad ayatema of the country.
o curences in the senate over Patter]
son’s caucus resolutions, hut it waa not
realised and the large crowd attracted
to the galleries waa compelled to leave
in disappointment when at 3 p. m. the
senate went into executive session,
alter a day devoted largely to ordinary
hills on the calendar.
,
W ednesday, February 7.
Washington, Feb. 7.—-By continuing
its session practically to 7 o’clock the
houae concluded all preliminary steps to
the passage of the railroad rate hill,
ordered a roll call on the measure and
put off the final action until tomorrow.
The time for amendment came at 4
o'clock, and for three hours following
one amendment alter another came up,
waa read, debated in some instances
and went down to defeat.
Ho fierce
waa the struggle to amend that often
when a paragraph of the hill waa con
cluded in the reading, a dozen member*
waved their amendments and shout« 1
for recognition. Not one of these was
adopted. They contained all manner of
propositions, such as regulating pref -r-
eritiala, the long and short haul, f ee
passes, court procedure, whole rate hills
and parts of hills, hut all “ went by the
board.”
1
Washington, Feb. 12. — The houae
today had aport with the hill providiny
for the whipping-post tor wifeheater*
in the Iiiatrict of Columbia, and then
laid it on the tahe, effectively diapoa-
iny of it, by a vote of 163 to liO.
A new yavel waa dedicated to the
memory of Lincoln, by Speaker Cannon
in opening the houae, and the birth
day ol the martyred preaident waa re-
memltered in the prayer of the chap
lain.
Friday, F ebruary 0 .
Washington, Feb. 9. — Almost the
entire session of the senate today was
devoted to the consideration of the ur
gent deficiency hill, which waa passed
practically as it waa reported from the
committee on appropriations.
The
only discussion was over an amend
ment suyyested by Patterson to atrike
out the provision relieving alien work
men on the canal from the operation of
the eight-hour day law.
Patterson
contended that to require men to labor
more than eight hours a day in the
tropics was inhuman, and argued that
the requirement would do injustice to
American labor. Several senators on
both side« of the chamlier controverted
the position.
The amendment was
voted down without resort to a roll
call. The senate adjourned until Mon
day.
Provisions
o f the M easure
by the H ouse.
Passed
Washington, Feh 9. — The railroad
rate bill is intended and diets comply
specifically with the recommendations
of President Roosevelt on the rate
question. It gives the Interstate Com
merce commission authority, when a
rate has been complained of as “ un
reasonable” by a shipper, to investi
gate that rate, state whether or not it
is unreasonable, and if found to he
iinreasonable, to name a rate, which is
to he just and reasonable, and fairly
remunerative, and which is to he the
maximum rate to lie charged.
This rate, so fixed, is to go into
effect 30 days after it is announced by
the commission, subject, during that
time, to lie set aside or sus|iended by
the commission or by the courts. Alter
it has gone into effect, it is to remain
the rate for three years. During this
time, according to the rpinion that
has lieen expressed by those who have
participated in the debate, the rate
may also tie reviewed by the courts,
and, if found to lie in conflict either
with the constitution by tieirig confis
catory, it can be set aside by the courts.
Another important feature is the
definition of the words ’ “ railroad” and
“ transportation,” in a manner to in
clude all auxiliary instrumentalities.
This power to name a reasonable
rate and the inclusion of the auxili
aries within the jurisdiction of the
commission, are said to lie the new
features. A ll other pro Y irions are mod
ifications of existing law.
They in
clude publicity of railroad methods,
which is ‘ o tic aided by prescribing a
system of book keeping, and enlarging
the commission to seven members and
increasing salaries of members to $100,
000 a year.
Washington, F’eb. 7.— Today for the
first time in many years the senate was
made the scene of au effort to administ
er party discipline to a mendier of that
body, and the occurrence was one of so
many dramatic details that the many
witnesses w ill not soon forget it.
Pat
terson was the subject of the effort, and
Bailey, to whom, in theatisence of Gor
man, the Democratic leadership is con
C H IN E S E G O O D S O L D IE R S .
ceded, was the instrument of his party
in the Incident.
*
M inister Discusses A gitation and P re
Tuesday, F ebruary 0 .
Washington, F’eb. ft — The senate did
not have an opportunity today to hear
the discussion of Patterson’ s resolution
mi the action of the Democratic caucus,
which was partially promised, but
gave the entire day to a review of the
prerogatives of the senate in the matter
of framing treaties. The question was
raised by Bacon in a speech on his
resolution requesting information con
cerning the Algeciras conference.
Lodge gave notice of a speech Mon
day on the railroad rate bill.
parations fo r W a r,
Berlin, F'eb. 9. — General Tchang
Tcbeng, the Chinese minister to Ger
many, in the course of an interview
with the Tagehlatt’ a correspondent on
the disquieting rumors from China,
said that China needed reform in her
head and limbs.
Flumpe, be eaid,
had lieen surprised tiiat Japan had be
come greater than China, whose sol
diers, and especially those in the north
ern part o ' the empire, compare physic
ally with the Prussian guards. Money
for army and navy expenses, he eaid,
should not lie considered, as the popu
lation of over 400,000,000 could easily
contribute a milliard where vital inter
ests were touched.
China, the
minister continued,
strongly wishes for commercial deal
ings with foreign countries, but prefers
those without Chinese colonies.
The
missionaries, he added, cause hatred of
foreigners by their tactless proselyting
and the fighting betweeu Protestants
ami Catholics.
The minister was asked if the navy
and army reinforcements which the
United Htates is sending to the Philip
pines in the expectation of difficulties
with Cbinia might arouse the Chinese
dragon. He replied:
“ If the American government sends
reinforcements, who can say it fears
difficulties with China? It is all non
sense. I believe the armaments are
prepared against somebody else; I can
not express myself more definitely.”
Washington, Feb. fl. — Having fixed
the end of the general debate on the
rate bill at 4:30 o’clock tomorrow, the
recognition of the eba'r was passed
around at a lively rate in the house
todav. Heventeen speeches were made,
all of them for the measure. The rail
Washington, Feb. 9 —The house to roads came in for an unusual amount
day ground out its usual semi-monthly of criticism.
grist of private pensions, pas-iuy in 72
minutes 429 hills for the benefit of vtt-
W ants Land S old.
erails who are barred for one reason or
Washington, F‘«*b. 12.— Henator F’ ul-
another from coming in under the gen ton is preparing to vigorously oppose
eral statute, and thus made a new the hill soon to lie reported by the pub
speed record for such bills. Seventy- lic lands committee providing for the
five per cent of the beneficiaries are repeal of the timber and stone act, un
either blind or bed-ridden.
This or less he can secure an amendment stip
der, with a number of minor hills and uluting that 26 per cent of the money
the passage of two amendments to the derived from the sale of public timlier
Philippine tariff act of 1906, consti shall he turned over to the enmity in
tuted the transactions of the day. The which the timber is situated. The hill
tariff amendments place American cot in contemplation absolutely repeals the
ton goods on an equality, so far as tlie present law and proposes, that the gov
cost of production is concerned, with ernment shall retain title to all timber
Fluropean goods. Low grades of Bhoes land, selling only mature timlier at
A P P IA N W A Y O F A M E R IC A .
were admitted at a lower tariff. The public auction or otherwise at not less
P e rfe c t Road W ill Be Built S traig h t
house adjourned until Momlay.
than the appraised value.
T hu rsd ay, F ebruary 8 .
Washington, Feb. 8. — Just enough
morning business was allowed in the
house preceding the vote on the Hepburn
railroad rate b ill today to permit de
layed members to reach their seats be
fore the rollcall ordered the nigi.t be
fore began. Three hundred and forty-
sis members voted for the bill. Seven,
all Republican!, voted against it. Ap
plause greeted the announcement of
the result by the speaker to the house,
which had given its undivided atten
tion to the question of government
rate-making for seven days.
Those voting against the bill were:
Littlefield, of Maine; McCall and
Weeks, of
Massaehusetts; Perkins,
Honthwick and Vreeland, of New
York; and Sibley, of Pennsylvania.
Sullivan, of Massachusetts, voted
“ present,” and was not paired. There
were 28 members paired, hut these
pairs were generally political ones.
None of them was made upon the bill,
and consequently did not indicate op-
positin.
______
J»
«
This in effect places all public timber
land in permanent reservations. Under
this proposed law, public timber land
will never become subject to taxation,
and in consequence the counties in
which this land is located will lie for
ever deprived of the benefit of the
taxes which would eventually accrue,
were H um laud taken up under the tim
ber an stone act.
G erm any Hopes fo r A greem ent.
Berlin. F’eti. 7.— It was reported in
commercial circle! today that a tariff
arrangement between Germany and the
United States, to last one year, had
been agreed upon, but inquiry at the
American embassy and at the foreign
oilice established the faldty of the re
port. The foreign oilice, however, ap
parently is more hopeful now.
The
officials expect that some sort of an
agreement w ill he reached before the
end of the month.
N ew N aturalization Bill.
Washington, F'eb. H. — The house
committee on immigration and natural
W ashington, Feb. 8— There was a ization practically agreed today on the
general expectation that today would Howell naturalization bill in a slightly
witness a revival of yesterday’ s exciting amended form.
W allace B efo re C om m ittee.
Spanish T ra d e G row in g .
Washington, F'eb. ti.— John F'. Wal
lace was before the senate inter-oceanic
canal committee today and made a
statement regarding the severance ot
his relations with the ( ’anal commis
sion. In it he spoke of the violent at
tack of Hecretary Taft and Mr. Crom
well, the only basis of which was, he
said, a difference of opinion between
himself and Taft and Cromwell as to
bis right to decide when he thought
the welfare of the enterprise and his
own justified his resignation. He was
liable *o be dismissed at any time.
Washington, F'eb. 13.— Trade of the
United Htates with Hpain and Portugal
amounted in the fiscal year 1906 to
over $64,000,000, according to a report
issued by the department of Commerce
and Labor. Of this, $15,000,000 was
im|>or*s and $10,000 000 exports. Of
I he imports, $0,500,000 was from Port
ugal and $8 500 003 from Hpain. Of
tiie export«, $2,000,000 went to Portu
gal and $17,000,000 to Hpain. Imports
from Portugal have greatly increased
during the last few years, while the
exports to that country have declined.
Across O hio.
Cleveland, F'eb. 9.— Within a year
work will he begun by the National
Good Roads association on a great
highway extending clear across the
state of Ohio, from the Pennsylvania to
the Indiana line, that w ill be one of
the finest in the world, and, like the
Appian Way, w ill be built to last for
all time to come. This is the informa
tion given out today by Colonel W. H.
Moore, president of the association.
The road, which w ill be the first to
he built across a state under the author
ity of an organization since the old
Federal roads, w ill cost $1,500,000.
Of this amount, Colonel Moore says
$750,000 has already been put up by
certain interests that he w ill not now
reveal, and the remainder w ill he se
cured from the counties through which
it w ill pass.
RAILROADS GIVE UP
Cannot Withstand Public Hostility
on Rate Question.
ATTACKS COME FROM ALL SIDES
Denunciations
of
Pennsylvania
Rail
road M e rg e r and o f C oal
R oads.C ause A larm .
Washington, Feb. 10.— It is apparent
that certain railroad interest« have be
come alarmed over the decided anti-
railroad agitation that is manifesting
itself in congress and in several states,
and that their friends in the senate
have lieen appealed to to settle upon
the beet rate hill they can get and get
it before the seriate for action.
It is
said that the railroad interests at large
have become astounded over the oppo
sition that has devioped to them
throughout the country, and that many
of them realize that graver problems
than the fixing of a disputed rate con
front them if something is not done to
allay the spirit of hostility
Home of the magnates believe that if
they can get the members of the com
mittee on interstate commerce of the
senate together on a hill at once it will
stop the agitation that is each day
growing stronger against what are char
acterized as “ railroad lobbies” in vari
ous states.
The denunciation of the railroad
trust in West Virginia by Governor
Dawson in a letter to the senate, the
offering of a resolution in Pennsylvania
to investigate coal-operating roads and
the determination of many members of
congress to secure an investigation of
the alleged trust formed by the Penn
sylvania, Baltimore A Ohio, Chesapeake
A Ohio and Norvfolk A Western, have
excited tear among the friends of rail
roads that a remorseless crusade against
them is about to begin.
Chairman Elkins, of the interstate
commerce committee of the senate, who
favors the railroad interests, and Sena
tors Clapp and Dolliver, who have been
fighting for action, held a private con
ference of several hours this afternoon.
It is believed a basis of compromise it
being considered.
S T IL L R E L Y O N R F L IA N C E .
W ill Be C onverted to Suit T e r m * o f
N ext Y acht Race.
New York, Feb. 10. — la discussing
the possibilities ot a challenge for the
America’ s cup from Sir Thomas Lipton
or any foreign source, and the probable
course of the New York Yacht club, on
receipt of such a challenge, says to
day’ s Times, the astonishing statement
was made by a prominent member of
the New York club yesterday that the
Reliance would be used in all proba
bility as the defender of the cup, even
though the challenge called for a race
with schooners, as has been suggested,
and that to meet these conditions she
would be converted, as it is a perfectly
practical suggestion and meets 8ir
Thomas’ and any other challenges at
every point.
I f a 70-foot sloop, as suggested by
Sir Thomas, is named as the chal
lenger, the challenge w ill be a-cepted
and the Reliance w ill he used as the
challenge boat, in spite of the big al
lowance she would have to give. I f a
110-foot schooner is named, tfie R eli
ance w ill be converted and w ill be still
the defender.
I f a 90-foot sloop is
named, it will, of course, lie the R eli
ance which w ill cross the line as the
defender of America’ s priceless trophy.
Under old rules or un<Ur new, the Re
liance is looked upon as capable of
successfully defending the cup and will
remain the club’s Reliance.
F O U R A R E K IL L E D .
Disastrous
W reck on O . R. & N . at
B ridal Veil.
Portland, Feb. 7.— In the moat dis
astrous wreck in the history of the Ore
gon Railroad A Navigation company
and the only one in which the life of a
passenger on that road has been lost,
Chicago-Portland Fix press No. 6 ran in
to the rear end of the Spokane F'lyer,
No. 3, at Bridal Veil yesterday morn
ing at 7 :50, telescoping the Pullman
car Galatea, killing four persons and
injuring a score of others. Flngine 193,
in charge of Engineer W illiam Hwain,
became unmanageable and dashed into
train No. 3, which waa standing on the
track at Bridal V eil.
Had it not been
for the presence of mind of Silas Smith,
braketuan on the Chicago-Portland Ex
press, who puller! the emergency cord
when he realized the train was beyond
control of the engineer and was running
away, thus setting the brakes, the col
lision wonhl have lieen one of the worst
in the history of Western railroading.
Train No. 3 had stopped at Bridal
Veil station, and was delayed there by
ita engine, which waa oat of order.
When about four miles east of Bridal
Veil the locomotive hauling the Chi
cago-Portland Express got out of order
and became unmanageable.
The injector pipe had broken inside
the cab, letting out a flood of steam
and driving the engineer and fireman
out of the cab. Engineer Swain reach-
eel for the throttle to stop the engine,
but could not reach it. In a moment
he heard torpedoes on the track and re
alized that the Spokane Flyer was ahead
on the main track, and rushed back
into the cloud of burning steam that
filled the cab in an effort to stop the
flying train. He groped about for the
levers he could not see, fearing even to
breathe in the deadly atmosphere, suf
fering tortures to his scorched hands
and face, and, finally baffled, was com
pelled to retreat to the engine tender.
Both he and the fireman then leaped to
the connections between the tender and
the mail car and tried to reach the air
ho"e and break the connection, thus ap
plying the brakes, but Engineer
Swain’ s hands were so terribly burned
thev were uaeleee, and he could not dis
connect the hose.
Meanwhile Silas Smith, living at
Second and Grant streets, Portland,
who waa brakeman on No. 5, realised
the engine was beyond the control of
the ergineer and pulled the emergency
cord, setting the brakes. This elowed
the train, and the locomotive was de
tached from the train and shot ahead,
crashing into the Pullman. In a mo
ment the rest of the train, coming at a
slower speed, struck the engine, and
again hurled it against the wrecked
Puilman. Those in the wreck felt two
distinct shocks, and by his prompt ac
tion in bringing the Chicago-Portland
Express almost to a stop Brakeman
Smith prevented a much heavier lo?a of
life.
HEYBURN GROW S W ORSE.
Peritonitis A ggravates Illness ot S en
a to r fro m Idaho.
Washington, Feb. 5.— Considerable
anxiety is felt over Senator Heyburn
tonight. He slept little last night,
and today unfavorable sysptoms devel
oped which indicate that peritonitis
has set in. The pain and inflamation
heretotore confined to the region of the
appendix had spread and his etomach
is now affected.
Up to this morning the senator was
hopeful of early recovery; in fact, ex
pected to get up tomorrow.
Tonight
he is decidedly depressed, and seems to
realize the seriousness of his condition.
If he does not show marked improve
ment by morning, another consultation
will be held.
While it is announced at his apart
ments that there is believed to be no
immediate danger, nevertheless every
thing indicates that he is in a critical
condition, the presence of peritonitis
and kidney trouble, in addition to ap
pendicitis, being most serious compli
cations.
Italy W ill Ruin P ad ro n e*.
Puts Dow n Siberian Revolt.
Poaching on Fund.
8t. Petersburg, F’eb. 9.— General
Linievitch, commander of the Man
churian armies, telegraphed to the em
peror yesterday as follows:
“ General
Rennenkampff entered Chita, Trans-
Baikalie, F’ehruary 5, without blood
shed.
The inhabitants of the town
have been disarmed and work has been
resumed. Two hundred of the revolu
tionists have lieen arrested, but a num
ber of the leaders fled.
General Hels-
jeonikoff, the military governor of
Chita, has been relieved of hia post for
inaction.”
Washington, Feb. 10. — To the sur
prise of many senators, the Hansbrongh
bill petting apart $1,000,000 out of the
reclamation fund for the drainage of
swamp lands in North Dakota slipped
through the senate today.
Several
Western senators were vigorously op
posed to taking any money out of the
reclamation fund to drain swamp lands
and it was their purpose to oppose this
bill, but it was called up when the sen
ate was virtually empty and went
through without opposition. It w ill be
fought in the house.
W ill Act fo r C astro in France.
G rain T ru s t O rd e re d Dissolved.
Washington, F'eb. 9.— The Venezuel
an government has requested the gov
ernment of the Uniteti Htates to take
charge of its consulate in F'rance. Sec
retary Root has decided to comply with
the request and w ill give the necessary
instructions to the American ambassa
dor in Paris.
Linboln, Neb., Feb. 10.— A decision
adverse to the Nebraska Graindealers’
association was handed downjtoday by
the Supreme court, which orders the
association dissolved. It had been al
leged that the association fixed prices,
leaving the farmers to take what was
offered.
New York, Feb. 7.— The Italian gov
ernment has just contributed a subsidy
of $20,000 a year for an Italian labor
exchange in New York. This is part of
an organized attempt hy Italian citi •
zens of the United States, combined
with the Italian authorities at home, to
beat the “ padrone” system and to keep
the Italians from piling up in New
York.
The exchange w ill be incorpo
rated under the laws of New York hy
Italian citizens, and probably w ill he
in working order by next enmmer,
for the great crush of immigrants.
T w o -C e n t Fares fo r O h io .
Columbus. O., Feb. 7.— The house
today by a vote of 104 to 1 passed the
Freiner 2-cent-fare bill, which was sub
stituted for the Rathbnn bill, passed
by the house. The senate, it is said by
leaders of that body, w ill accept the
Freiner bill, which w ill go into effect
30 days after it is signed by the gover
nor.