Shepherdstown register. [volume] (Shepherdstown, Va. [W. Va.]) 1849-1955, 1886-05-21
The Interstate Commerce Bill.

He AhtCTDtatC W @~@.-'
The interstate commerce bill was
passed by the Senate last week in form
that will hardly prove satisfactory to
those who have studied the evil effects
of railroad discrimination in perverting
the trade currents and impairing the in
dustrial interests Of large sections of
country. Still it is great deal to have
made beginning. The Senate bill is a
very good germ out OF which to develop
an adequate measure. Its provisions
for the prevention of discrimination in
rates by common carriers are elaborate,
but it is to be feared that the average
shipper will be unable to incur the ex-
pense of securing his rights under the
law. The Camden long-and-short-haul
amendment was modified in the wrong
direction before the bill was passed, but
what remains Of it may prove service
able in practice. The bill creates rail-
road commission of moderate powers.
Its reports may be of service to Congress
in shaping future legislation, but there
is an apprehension that it is more likely
to be useful to managers of railroads
than to poor shippers living along their
lines. In the House the bill will prob
ably be amended, under Mr.. Reagan's
lead, with good effect in making it more
effective for the work it processes to aim
to do.
The bill as passed by the Senate pro-
vides for commission of five persons,
to be appointed by the President, with
the advice and consent of the Senate, to
carry out the purpose Of the bill. The
principal office is to be in Washington,
but special sessions Of the commissioners
may be held elsewhere to suit the pub
lie convenience. The first commission
ers are to hold office for the term of two,
three, four, five and six years respect
lively, their successors to hold for six
wears each. Not more than three of the
five shall be appointed flom the same
political party. The commissioners must
not engage in any other business, and
must not hold bonds or stock Of any
common carrier or hold official relations
to such corporations.
The commission Is authorized to in
quire into the business of all common
carriers subjec. to the provisions of the
bill, and examine all books, papers, &C.,
relating to any matter under investiga-
ton. The commission is to investigate
all complaints against common carriers
of interstate commerce, and its report
in each case shall include the findings
of fact on which based, and recon-
mendation as to the reparation to be
made by the common carrier, and such
findings are to be deemed p.iina facie
evidence in all judicial proceedings. In
case common carriers refuse to obey the
orders of the commission, the latter
may apply to the United States Circuit
Court. which shall hear and determine
the matter.
The bill requires that all charges for
any service in transporting passengers
or freights, or storing goods, by COM
mon carriers, shall be reasonable; it
prohibits all rebates and drawbacks,
and all unjust discrimination. Every
common carrier subject to the bill shall
within sixty days after it becomes law
file with the commission copies OF all
its tariffs of fares and freight, including
its classifications and terminal charges,
and shall make them public, so far as
the commission may deem practicable.
No advance on such published rates
shall be made without ten days. public
notice.
The "long-and-short-baul"c clause, be-
ing section 4 of the bill, reads as fol-
lows: "That it shall be unlawful for
any common carrier to charge or receive
any greater compensation in the aggre-
gate for the transportation Of passen-
gers or of the like class and quantity of
property subject to the provisions Of
this act for shorter than for longer
distance over the same line, in the same
direction, and from the same original
point of departure, or to the same point
of arrival, but this shall not be con-
strued as authorizing any common car
rier within the terms OF this act 10
charge and receive as great compensa-
ton for shorter as for longer dis
tance. Provided, however, that upon
application to the commission appointed
under the provisions of this act such
common carrier may, in special cases,
be authorized to charge less for longer
than for shorter distances for the trans
portation Of passengers or property;
and the commission may from time TO
time make general rules exempting
such designated common carrier in such
SpCS'at C1sVS bhC OPNioeAOh Va
section of this act. Any common car
rier who shall violate the provisions of
this section OF this act shall be deemed
guilty of extortion, and shall be liable
to the person or persons against whom
any excessive charge was made for all
damages occasioned by such violation"
The bill now goes to the House Of
Representatives for concurrence.
A country minister who, in addition
to his clerical duties, followed the pro-
fession of a photographer, was called
upon to perform marriage ceremony.
"Now, then, young man." he said to
the groom, who was nervous and ex-
c;ted ne all orooms ouobt fo be "iust