The Austin weekly statesman. (Austin, Tex.) 1883-1898, 1886-12-16
WASHINGTON NOTES.
INTERSTATE COMMERCE..

WASHINGTON, December 9.-The conference
committee on the interstate commerce bill mn
ished Its labors this morning, and will report the
bill as as it can be printed. Oa the question
of enforcing the act the commission feature OF the
senate bill is accepted by the house conference,
and while the senate conference accepts the sys-
tenn proposed in the Reagan bill, under which the
shipper is entitled to sue for damages in the
United States courts in his own behalf. This
gives the shipper the option of making complaint
to the commissioner or instituting suits IN the
federal courts. The railroads are pro
hibited from charging more for short
than longer distance upon their own lines, In the
same direction, the shorter being included within
the longer distance, and the circumstances and con-
ditions being the same; but the commission is au,
thorized upon the application of railroad, and
after investigation of the facts to relieve the roads
from the operation of the general rule In special
cases.
The senate conferees agree to the absolute prohi-
hilton of pooling as contained in the house bill.
They we're the main features of the difference.
On the question of publicity of rates, the provi.
sions of the two bills have been merged, 80 os 10
require each railroad to make public the rates oe
tween the points upon is own road, as proposed
in the house bill and in addition, the commission
is required to secure publicity of through rates, In
sofAr as it may be found necessary
sEwELL's ELL.
WASHINGTON, December 9.-The bill introduced
by Senator Sewell to- ay Tor tae reaepIlqIi o
States trade dollars, if not defaced, mutllated or
STAMPED shall be received at the face value in pay
ment of all dues of the United States for the same
period Holders of trade dollars, on presentation
of the same at United States repositories may re-
ceiye in exchange a like amount OF standard silver
dollars on subsiding coin. The trade dollars re,
ceiyed shall not he reissued, but shall be reconed
into standard dollars.
RIVER AND HARBoR BILL
WAsuNGToN. December 9.-Under instructions
| from the houee committee on rivers and harOOrs,
| Chairman Willis has conferred with Chairman
Mcmillan of the senate committee on commerce,
| and other members of that committee, respecting
the feasibility of preparing the river and harDol
appropriation bill in a joint session OF tne Two W
| c6r1mitteas While no formal arrangement has
vt heen made il ie stated that the proposition IL
favorably received by the senate committee, ahG
That the probabilities are the bill Will be prepared
| nnder the plan proposed. providing f0r a max
| imnm appropriation of seven and one-nall NIL
lion dollars less than Onehalt OF tne aggregaVe VI
appropriations made by the bill passed al the ias
| session. -, a. ;.,oo on noat
ofces and post roads, Mr.. Cannen, of lllinois,witn
drew the amendment offered by him yesterday
| MIR Dockerv. of Missouri, on behalf OF tnat com
! mjttee offered an amendment 80 as 10 MAKE w
hill provide that letter carriers shall be empioye'
for free delivery of mail matter as frequently . %
public business may require in every lncofpTate'
city. village or borough containing population .
so Q within its corporate limits, md may De 50 EN-
| Moved at every place containing population no
tess than 10000 within its corporate limits accoro
ing to the last general census taken Dy autnois ~,
of state or United states law, or to any postoni0
| which produces gross revenue for the preceuln
fscal wear of not less than $4,000. Mr.. Dockery
Amendment was adopted and as amended the oil
passed. .;aoua,io, of tb
elsctoral count bill.