New-York tribune., 1885-02-05
MR.. CULLOM'S TRIUMPH.
PASSAGE OF HIS BILL BY THE SENATE.
A COMMISSION FOR THE REGULATION OF INTER-
STATE COMMERCE..
mr TELEGRAPH TO THE TRI

COMMISSION FOR THE REGULATION OF iNIhH-
STATE COMMERCE..
rBr TELEGRAPH TO THE TRIBUSE.1
WARRINGTON. Feb. 1.-The Senate at last
has passed the Cullom Interstate Commerce bill Inc
final vote on the passage Of the bill this afternoon was
As TO l2 substantial triumph for Senator Cuom' who
since he first the measure in the early part Oh
last session. has overcome difficulties without ehd con-
verted apathy ON part Of his colleagues into enthus
asin and by dn pluck persuasion and perseverance
sees his efforts crowned with success at last The
victory is the creditable as Mr. Cuilom IL one
of the young members OF the Senate whom the
seniors In q body according to tradition, generally
expect keep in the background Tor couple OF years
before venturng do anything which might attract the
attention OF the outside Mr. Cullom received the con-
eratuatons Of his colleagues and friends with becoming
modesty.
II provides, substantially, for board Of arbtra-
ton which shall decide questions at issue between
railway companies and those who think that they are
treated unjusty by them. Although this board neither
has judicial powers nor can enforce its
decrees 1t will be generally In the interest
of those appealing to its judgment to settle their dcu
ties without to litigation In the courts In ths
sense 1t is intended to act sort OF mutual friend
1t does prevent anybody from going to the courts
But the plaintiff viii have the benefit of the services
of the United States District Attorney who, IL the Com
mission has declared the railway company to be the
offender and the company after this declaration refuses
settle the dama directed to proceed against thc
company. 1t would clearly be to the interest therefore,
of plaintiff bring his case first to the notice OF the
Con- mission and equally the interest Of the rail
way company to obey the decree OF the Commission;
for, If they pay any award whlch tne
Commission may have made to plaintii without ap
peang the court, they escape every liability as TO
fines penalties and no further legal action woud lie
The pay OF the nine Commissioners is only $500
year each This sum Mr. cuom considers snee b 10
rr1Ink
of the BILL compacty stated. are as follows: -
commission To be composed OF nine members is pro,
vdcd for. from each judicial circuit OF the United
States to hold office for six years. except that OF tnTse %
and others for iour years only Vacancies are to
by the President and not more than five Of the
commissioners shalt belong TO one political party lns
duties the commission defined to be TO exercise OF
the 10d q, hH a%e' meSas and esaan s S
the operation Of all transportation companies engaged
aud investigate all the various questions relating To
between the States, especially the matter OF
just system of regulations for the government Of the
same" The salary OF the comMssionerS Is ;e nhei
a secretary at $500; their travelling expenses are
80 S9 nad tine tine to be paid the
usual fees. The commission has power to send Tor
the production Of all books papers contracts and docu
mons properly certified abstracts thereof relating to
matters under consideration.
IL is authorized to require Interstate transportation
companies to furnish annual reports, giving fnIi
Information 10 their financial condition.. cost
of property. number and salaries OF employees.
etc The Commission shall report annually 10 the
Secretary OF the Interior and II SHALL during the nrs year
investigate and report the subject OF maximum ana
minimum CHARGES pooling, the watering OF stocks, up
just DETERMINATIONS etc. Section . provides thal II
any transportation company engaged IN inter aa1S
the business OF Interstate commerce moro lnan
reasonable rate OF compensation Tor the transportation
OF freight for the receiving delivery storage or nand
ling property for the OF transportation OF any
upon its railroad, It shall be deemed guilty of
d-neauor. Section provides that If such company
shall directly indirectly charge VI receive from any
render transaction Of Interstate commerce than
it charges receives from any other person Tor dong
FOR him in a Ike business and under substantially
similar circumstances and conditions contepardneous
ly ike or any such transportation company
shall neglect or refuse the facilities for the
rage, receiving delivery storage, ana handling oi .hier
state freghts 70 one person that are at the
same time furnished any person for the same
service 1t shall be deemed guilty OF unjust dserina
ton and "A msdeseanor
Section provides that whenever complaint Is made to
the commission charging any such company with ettoT
on or unjust alscrialhaton & In Tue S al ha,I % ne
forwarded to the company which shall be called upon 10
within a reasonable given time II the company shall
within the time specified make repsraon Tor me injury
done the shall be dismissed asd the company sha
be relieved OF nabiltyi H. however IL small hcEeCt
or Te'ue to answer n Cf tI ,hn proceed1s Shall
demand hearing and II there be any reasonable ground
II shall be the duty Of the commission to investigate Tue
matter complained Of determine all questions of fact
at ISSUE record It's finding and 10 furnish report 10
bseu guilty OF either exoron unjust discrimination.
commission viii give notice 70 the company to dis-
the practice aud To the complainant within
asonablc given time what damages hc may be justly
entitled If such damages paid as required ana
company to practise the eItortiOn or unjust
discrimination complained Of all order 10 that effect
shall catered OF record and the company shall be
| HeVed OF liability.
Section 6 provides when a company shall neglect or
refuse comply with these regulations the commission
certify facts 10 the District Attorney ~ the
United for the Judicial district In which the act
complained Of occurred who will commence proceedings
any damages sustained by the compainants
or to compel the TT @ % eoP 1 nrI TO Of Ky
United states for the district shall have jurisdiction.
The company that shall be convicted OF either eGOron
unjust discrimination shall forfeit and pay for each
offence "a fine OF exceeding $1,000. Neglect
fusal to make annual reports 10 the cOnmissOn TO
answer any question, or TO procure any documents
called for by he commission shall be deemed mis-
demeaner punishable by fine OF $1,000.
sAilar penalty is prescribed Tor any violation OF
the provisions Of this act or any attempt TO
| obstruet tine enforcement OF its provisions.
The OF transportation company is made to In
clude all railroad and water routes OF the company and
the term transportation company Is defined To mean
any cooperation individual owning, operating or
using any railroad vessel, IN whole or In part or
having right license perais0D 10 use the same. pro-
vded such company or individual Is engaged In trans
pOrtatOn OF freight from one State 10 another by al ra
rail and part water communication. Trans
portation companies, not wholly water route c0npa-
nies, carrying freight from place In the United
States through foreign territory to other place
in the United States. from any place In the states 10
place outside the
visions OF the act. .
The bill being in its present form, substitute for the
House BILL IL goes TO the House for concurrence or
non concurrence.
ATTACKING THE RIVER AND HARBOR BILL
DENOUNCED AS "GKEAT SCHEME OF PUBLIC
PLUMBER"
fBY TELEGRAPH TRIBUSE.l