Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1886-01-19
WASHINGTON NEWS.
COmmerce-The Lancaster Bauk Trou.
Bile.
WASHINGTON, Jan. Is.
bIe.

WASHINGTON, Jan. Is.
The following is a brief synopsis of the bill
to regulate commerce, reported from TIE SEN
ate select committee on interstate railroad
transportation today by Senator Cullom.
After specifying the classes of carriers, or
rather the kinds of traffic to which the regu-
lations prescribed are to apply, and de eclarng
that all charges made by such carriers shall
be reasonable, the preliminary sections aim
to prohibit every variety of unjust discrimi-
nation, to prescribe adequate penalties there
for, and to prescribe for the enforcement in
the courts of the United States. These sec
uons include the requirement that all car
riers shall afford reasonable facilities for the
interchange of traffic with connecting lines,
and prohibition of greater charge for shorter
than for longer distances, except when it can
be atiirmatively established by the carrier
that such charge does not constitute an un-
just discrimination. Another section re-
quires all carriers subject to the provisions
OF the proposed act to file tariffs ard clas.ifi-
cations With the Interstate commerce COM
mittee, and provides that they shall be post
ed or otherwise published, but leaves to be
determined by the committee the manner of
their publication and the places at and be-
tween which the rates shall be published.
Provision is made tor enforcing the require
ments OF the committee in these respects
through the courts, and for the maintenance
of the rates that may be thus published.
Provision are also made for the appointment
by the President of five commissioners 50 be
confirmed by tie Senate, and several sec
tions are devoted to prescribing the duties OF
the commissioners and the manner in which
complaints are to be investigated and prose-
cutions instituted under it's direction. When
found necessary under these sections it is
proposed TO give the commissioners full pow
er to obtain all the information necessary to
the performance of its duties, to constitute a
board of arbitration for the adjudication of
such differences between shippers and car
rers as can be amicably settled through its
Intervention, to make its findings of facts
prma facia evidence in all legal proceedings
and to provide for the proper enforcement of
its recommendations through the courts, and
resort to them should it become necessary.
Tie comptroller Of the currency ha. re-
ceived from the examiner IN charge of the
Lancaster National Bank of Clinton, Mass.
a state ment showing its condition at the
close of business for the year, on the 30th
ult The amount due depositors. as shown
bv the books, vas S261 800 and the contingent
liability for notes and bills rediscoupted was
upward of S265 900 There is, in addition a
contingent liability of an amount unknow n
arising from an abstraction of five certificates
from a certificate of deposit book, one OF
which il has been ascestained, was filled in
for $1,000. On account of the questionable
value of many of the assets and compile a.
tions arising from the peculatons of the
president, it 10 impossible at present to give
any reliable information as to the amount
the creditors of the bank will ultimately re-
ceive.