The clarion. [volume] (Jackson, Miss.) 1883-1888, 1886-12-15

The dispatches from Washington fur
nish the gratifying information that the
conferees on the /" Reagan" and "Cul-
iom" bills, one of which nas passed the
House, and the other the Senate, have |
reached an agreement. The 'tCuliom,"
or Senate bill, provides for the creation |
of Commission TO investigate all com
plants made, and to settle them by ar
bitration. if possible, and if not, TO pros
ecute when il finds that the shipper is
entitled TO redress The Reagan" or
House bill, gives every shipper with
grievance right of action in the State
and United States courts, on his motion
and in his own behalf for the recovery
Of the damages he may nave sustained,
with the provision that reasonable at
torney's fee shall be allowed in every
case of recovery. The conferees will
recommend that the House agree to the
commission system as it stands in the
Senate bill, aud that the Senate agree to
a provision allowing such shippers as
may elect to do 50, to prosecute suits for
the recovery Of damages in the United
States Courts on their own behalf, with
the provision that they shall not have
the right to pursue their remedy in the
courts and through the commission in
the same case.
The Senate bill prohibits greater
charge for shorter than for longer
distance under substantially similar cir
cumstances and conditions, over the
same line, in the same direction, and
from the same original point of depart
ure, or to the same point of arrival. II
also authorizes the Commission TO make
exceptions to this general rule in special
cases when it seems proper. Ire House
bill absolutely prohibits a greater charge
for shorter than for longer distance
which includes the shorter, upon any
one railroad. The substitute section
agreed to by the conferees, makes 1t un-
lawful for any railroad to charge more
for the transportation of passengers, or
of like kind of property, under substsn
tially similar circumstances and condi
tions, for shorter than for a longer
distance over the same line and in the
same direction, the shorter being includ-
ed within the longer distance, with the
provision that in special cases, upon ap-
plication and investigation, the Commits
sion may prescribe the extent to which
such railroads shall be relieved from the
operation of this section.
The House bill contains an absolute
prohibition of pooling, while the Senate
bill provides for an. immediate inyestiga
CATION by the Commission of the ques-
tion of legislation on the subject. Up
on this point the Senate cOnferees have
yielded, and have accepted THE proyis
ion of the House bill: "TEat it shall be-
unlawful for any osher common carrier
subject to the provisions of this act
to enter into any contract, sgreemen1
or combination with any other com
mon carriers for the, pooling Of
freights of different and competing
railroads, or to divide between them
the aggregate or net proceeds of The
earnings of such railroads or any por
ton thereof, and in any case of ar
agreement for the pooling of freights al
aforesaid, each day of its continuance
shall be deemed sepa rate offense."
Both bills prohibit unjust discrimina
ton between persons and places, and TIE
giving of special rates or preferences
and both require railroads to publish
their rates and to adhere to them wher
published. They do not differ msteri
ally as to penalties.