The Wheeling daily register. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1864-1878, 1872-03-11
New Railroad Legislation.

Assemblyman Smith has introduced
a bill at Columbus which suggests
sweepip. changes in the railroad resu'
lations of the State:
The bill provides that each railroad
company shall, twice year, in March
and September, fix its through rates Of
passenger fares by the mile, and shall
charge no more for any distance greater
than one hundred miles. For any less
distance it may charge, in addition to
it's through rates. small sum on each
passenger; and no company shall make
any distinction between passengers
except that it NAV run trains at special
rates for public accommodation. 1t
may refuse to convey filthy persons or
those having contagious diseases. 1t
may sell Communication tickets, and con-
vey child.en at halffare. ltmay select
the car which each passenger shall
occupy, provided it be of fhe class for
which he has paid. 1t may convey its
officers, employees and laborers, and
INDECENT persons free Of charge, but no
other person whatever; and any officer
agent or employe who evades this pro-
vision by private arrangement, rebate.
ment or drawback, or in any manner,
shall be fined or imprisoned.
The bill makes legal classification
Of freights, embracing all the articles to
be found on large number OF different
railroads, classifications, and making as
little variation as possible from those
now in use There are six classes cor
RESPONDING to the doubleirst, first, and
one-and halffrst, second, third and
fourth.
1t provides that each railroad COM
pany in the State, shall four times a
year, fix and publish its through rates
of freight on each class per mile by the
car load, when the same is passing over
its line from one connecting line OF the
road to another, and its through
rates by the mile per car load,
per ton and hundred weight, for
such class when the same is received
from some connecting line to be deliv-
cred on its own line. or when the same
is received on lis own line, to
be delivered on the line Of some
other road. The rates so fixed
shall be the lawful rates it may
charge on all distances of more than
one hundred miles, when any part OF
the same is in Ohio. and on any less
distance it may add a per centage as
the distance is lessened; but in no case
shall it be required to transport freight
for less sum in the aggregate than it
would be authorized to charge for
Transporting it ten miles.
Freight on fast freight lines shall pay
precisely the same as other freight, and
its shippers shall have no preference
over other shippers; aud no officer,
agent or employe, or attorney Of any
railroad company, shall have any in
terest in any express or fast freight
line doing business on such companys
road.
No railroad company shall discrim-
mate between shippers in any manner,
except that it may transport goods for
charity, or may convey articles or stock
to or from any fair or exhibition at re-
duced prices.
The rates for transportation may not
be increased during the period for
which they are fixed, but may be de-
creased; but if they are decreased they
shall not again be increased during the
period for which they have been estab-
lished.
Railroad companies are required TO
keep posted in each Of their depots and
stations the lawful classification OF
freights, the rates of passenger fares
per mile, the rates of each class OF
freights per car load, per ton and per
hundred weight, and the distances be-
tween all of its stations and depots, and
fair printed copy OF this law for pub
lie information.