Washington House Passes Sweeping Freight Rate Bill

After a contest lasting all day, the house this afternoon passed the freight and passenger reduction rate bill by a vote of 61 to 8. The bill was loaded down with amendments, and included finally a reduction of rates on nearly all products of Western as well as Eastern Washington, including perishable freight, such as melons and fruit. Representative Coon wanted the court to sit in Yakima, but Albertson offered a substitute striking out Spokane county and inserting that the court should be held in any county in the state. The Albertson substitute was adopted by a vote of 31 to 20. The original bill provided for a number not to exceed eleven judges. There was an amendment to make the number five; another wanted six, and a Populist, Rader, thought there should be seven. Rader's substitute prevailed. Nims of Chehalis was first to get the floor. He characterized the bill as a vicious measure that was pushed by men who knew the business of other people better than they did their own. 'As sure as there is a God in Israel,' he said, 'the courts will not sustain this measure. You've got a rock loose above; now pry again, and let it fall on you.'