New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1874-01-06
THE TRANSPORTATION QUESTION.
A BILL REGULATING PASSENGER AND FREIGHT
CHARGES BY RAILROADS AGREED TO BY THE
HOUSE COMMITTEE ON RAILWAYS AND CANALS.

A BILL REGULATING PASSENGER AND FREIGHT
CHARGES BY RAILROADS AGREED TO BY THE
HOUSE COMMITTEE ON RAILWAYS AND CANALS.
lBY TELEGRAPH TO THE TRIBUSE.l
WASHINGTON, Jan. 5.-The House Committee on
Railways and Canals Mr. McCrary of Iowa, Chair
man, has been hard at work during the recess upon
the various features of the transportation question
submitted to it by the House. To-day it agreed
upon BILL which is the first response from stand
inc committee of the House of Representativesito
the demands of the farmers. The bill provides as
follows:
Section first declares that each and everyne Of rail
road in the Union shall be regarded as employed in
commerce among the severajstates.
Section second provides that such company, corpo
ration, person operating line OF railroad shall
charge collect demand, receive more than fair and
reasonable rate of toll compensation for the trans
portaton freight TO be fixed as herein
after provided. Corporations or persons violating the
law shall be held liable for extortion
Section third provides for the appointment by the
President by and with the consent Of the Senate of
Board of Railroad Commissioners one TO be chosen from
each Of the Judicial Circuits Of the United States Such
Commissioners are prohibited from being interested 10
any manner the stock property Of any transporta
ton company.
Section fourth fxes compensation for such Commls-
sioners 1900 each per annum, with necessary travel
ing expenses.
Section nfth which comprises the main features Of
the BILL is as follows:
SEC 6. Said board Of Railroad Commissioners shall
institute thorough Investigation and inquiry into the
rates OF toll and compensation charged for transporting
freight and passengers over all such lines OF railroad Is
reasonabeness thereof and SHALL a. soon AZ practi.
cable after such and inquiry prepare for
the or operators OF such lines except such as
may be omitted. as hereinafter provided, schedule
Of maximum rates Of charges for the trans
portaon OF and freight and cars on or over
said lines said schedule shall be duly authenticated
by said Board Of Commiss9nsrs and shall be printed
such railroad company corporation, or person Such
shall certify under his hand printed or
written copy OF every schedule. and of every amend
ment to revision OF any schedule affecting any line
Of railroad extending into his circuit and cause the
Court for his circuit as soon possible after the
pletion Of such schedule or Of such amendment or re-
yison and such Official copy, when filed, shall be
held In all courts conclusive evidence Of
said schedules original amended or revised
name duly certified from said Circuit Clerks ONCE,
any court, TO the extent the original on e,
and from and after the filing OF such original
comnaSy and ali others interested therein shall be
deamed afYeoted by the notice thereof
81 tns under this act and for the PURPOSE
and fixing such reasonable maximum rates
later oabs to take testimony of Witnesses to send for
nersons aud papers, and 70 require the production
6s0ro mi, .hen purpose p they may issue pro-
cess. which shall be served by any marshal or
mn
son to appear rs witness before said Board
sbn vail or refuse appear person required by
said Board TO produce before them books papers,
or records ia his possession shall wait refuse
Gnce the same II shal be duty Of the Board forth
with 70 report the facts 70 the nearest Judge Of Dis
hear the matter sulnmarily, whether In term time
vacation and shall such order 10 the premises
NAV be dee med proper, compel such persons
pear efore and answer ell tpe proper ques
lions and produce all the proper books or records In his
possession, required BY said Board 10 be by hun
prod ccd, and which, in the Judgment OF the
Court, are proper evidence TO be considered
by sad Board and such judge may enforce hs orders
and punish thereto ~ In cases VI contempt
Said ommissionera may from time 10 time. and 40
ofteu a. may REQUIRE change and revise