The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1885-02-05
Congressman Kleiner Disguised with Fill
clustering in the House-His Reasons for
Thinking a Bankruptcy Law Necessary.
Serious Charge Made by an Alleged
Blackmailing Custom-HOuse Official.
An Excellent Reason for Keeping Away from
the Desk of 'Richelieu" Robinson--The
Parade i'm Honor of Cleveland
INTERSTATE COMMERCE..
Provisions of the Bill Passed Yesterday by the
United States Senate.

Provisions of the Bill Passed Yesterday by the
United States Senate.
| WASHINGTON, Feb. 4.-As passed by the SEN
ate to day, the interstate commerce bill provides
for a commission, to be composed of nine mem
bers, one from each judicial circuit of the United
States, who shall hold Office for six years. except
that of those first appointed three shall hold
Office for two years only aud three others four
| years only. Vacancies are to be filed by the
| President Not more than FIVE commissioners
| shall belong to one political party.
| The duties of the commission are defined to be
to exercise the powers and duties granted by
the bill pertaining to the methods and reguat-
ing the operation of all transportation companies
engaged in interstate commerce. and to take
into consideration and investigate all the various
questions relating to-commerce between the
States, especially the matter of transportation,
so tar as may be necessary to establish just
system of regulations for their government
The salary of each commissioner is fixed at
$500, and they are authorized to appoint Sec
retary at $3 $780, 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 land
to require the production of all books, papers,
contracts and documents, or properly certified
abstracts thereof relating to the matter under
consideration" S4
1t is authorized to require interstate transpor-
taton companies to furnshAa reports Civ
ing full information as to1 sIr financial condi-
ton, cost of property, number of salaries of en-
ployes. etc. 1t shall report annually to the Sec
retary of the Interior
The commission shall, during the first year,
investigate and report on the subject of maxi
mum and minimum charges, pooling. watering
stocks, unjust discrimination. etc.
The most important sections Of the bill are in
substance, as follows
Section ). If any transportation company engaged
in interstate commerce shall collect more than reas-
handling of freight, said company shall be deemed
guilty of extorton, which is declared msdemeanor.
See A. 1T any transportation company engaged in
interstate commerce shall, by rebate other device.
charge person greater pensation than another
for like service shall neglect refuse furnish
the facilities for the carriage end handling of
heights to person that is at the time fur
nished any other person under similar circumstances
such company shall be deemed guilty of unjust dis
crminat!on, which is declared misdemeanor.
Sec. . provides that if complaint is made to the
commission charging any transportation comnany
with extorton unjust discrimination. the company
shall have reasonable time to the charge. and
if it make reparation for the injury done and the
complaint is withdrawn, the shall be dismissed.
1t the company shall not satisfy the complairaht
within reasonable time and it shall appear that the
charges made are tfne. the commission shall notify
the company to discontinue the practice complained
of and pay the complainant damages fixed by the
mission.
See. g provides that if any transportation com.
pany engaged in interstate commerce shah refuse TO
pay the damages assessed and desst from further
violation of this act The mission shall certify the
acts to the United States District Attorney, whose
duty shall be to proceedings to recover the
damages assessed, 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 par
ties In the of failure to recover the complain.
ant shall the costs of the suit and the attorneys
fees. Any transportation company convicted under
this act shall pay for each ofense fine exceeding
81 900 and if any such company shall refuse to give
information produce books etc. it shall, upon con-
viction, be hncd not to exceed $1,000 for each Of
fehse; any such company, any person or persons
violating the provisions of this act attempting to
obstruct the provisions thereof, SHALL conviction
be fined not to exceed 81 600.
The route of any transportation company is
by the bill made to include all railroad and
water routes of the company. and the term
transportation company" is defined to mean
any corporation, individual, owning operat-
ing, using any railroad, or any vessel in
whole or in part or having the right to use tho
same, provided such company, or individual, is
engaged in the transportation of freight from
State to another. whether BY all rail- or part
rail and part water communication. Tt is also
made applicable to all transportation companies,
not wholly water-route companies, carrying
frelghts from place in the United States
through any foreign territory to another place
In the United States, or from any place in the
United States to any place outside OF the United
States. All rights of action and remedies already
secured by law are continued in force.
The bill being in its present form, substi-
tute for the House bill, IL now goes to the
House.