The clarion. [volume] (Jackson, Miss.) 1883-1888, 1885-02-11
Interstate Commerce

/
members, one from each judicial circuit
Of the United States to hold Office for
six years, except that of those first APP
pointed three shall hold office two years
only, and three Others for four years
only. vacancies to be filled by the Presi-
dent. Notmore than five commissioners
shall belong to one political party. The
duties OF the commission are to
exercise the powers and duties granted
by the bill pertaining to the methods and
regulation and operation Of all transPor-
tation companies engaged in interstate
commerce, and 30 take into consdera
ton and investigate all the various
/ questions relating to commerce between
the states, especially the matter of trans
[ portatiou, so far as may be necessary
to establish a just system of regulation
for its government" The salary Of the
commissioners Is fixed at 81, 800 and
they are authorized to appoint secre-
tary at So 800, all necessary travelling
expenses to be paid by The government
and witnesses summoned before the
commission to be paid the usual fees.
The commission has power to send for
persons and papers, to administer oaths,
and to require the production Of all
! books, papers, con tracts and documents,
or properly certified abstracts thereof,
relating to the matter under considera-
ton. 1t is authorized to require inter
state transportation companies to fur
nish annual reports giving full informa-
tion as to their financial condition, cost
of property, number and salaries of en-
ployes, etc. 1t shall report annually to
the Secretary of the Interior. The com
mission shall during the first year in
vestigate and report and suggest the
ma ximum and minimum charges, pool
ing or watering Of stock, unjust discrim-
nation, etc.
Extortion is defined as being the col
lection of more than a reasonable rate
of compensation for the transportation
or handling Of freight and is declared to
be misdemeanor. Charging one per
son greater compensation than another
for like service, by rebate or other
device, or neglecting or refusing to fur
nish the same facilities for the carriage
and handling of freight to one person
that is al the same time furnished any
other person under similar circumstances
p is unjust discrimination and is declared
to be a misdemeanor.
The fifth section of the bill is substan-
TALLY as follows:
If complaint is made to the commits
sion charging any transportation com
pany with eXtOrtlon or unjust discrimi-
} nation, the company shall have a rea.
| sOnable time to answer the charge; and
if it make reparation for the injury done,
and the complaint is Withdrawn the
case shall be dismissed. If the company
shall not satisfy the complainant within a
reasonable time, and it shall appear that
the charges made are true, the commits
sion shall notify the company to dis
continue the practice Complained OF and
pay the complainant the damages fixed
by the commission.
= The penal clauses are contained in the
sixth section which provides that if any
transportation company engaged in
interstate commerce shall refuse to pay
the damages assessed, and to desist from
further violation of the act, the com
missi shall certify the facts to the
United States District Attorney, whose
duty it shall be to commence proceedings
to recover the damages assessed or to
compel the company to comply with the
provisions of the act, and the Circuit
Court of the United States shall have
jurisdiction to try the cause without
regard to citizenship of the parties in the
case. On failure to recover, the com
plainant shall pay the cost of the suit,
attorneys fee excepted. Any transpor-
tation company convicted under the act
shall pay for each offence, a fine not
exceeding $1,000, and any such COM
{ pany refusing to give information
or produce books, etc, shall upon convic-
ton, be fined not to exceed $1,000 for
each offense. Any such company, or
any person or persons, violating the pro
| visions of the act, or attempting to OBJ
struct the provisions thereof, shall upon
CONVICTION be fined not to exceed $1,000.
We are Surprised to see it stated that
Mr.. REAGAN having failed to get his
pet measure through the Senate, has lost
interest in the subject. 1t seems to us
that it is the part of wisdom, to do the
most that can be done now, and to do
more in the future as the exigences of
the case may require. If the Senate bill
shall fail to accomplish what the friends
of supervision desire, other legislation
: may be grated on it at some future SEES
sion of Congress and such legislation will