Virginia free press. (Charlestown, Va. [W. Va.]) 1832-1916, 1886-04-22

the intervention of Congress as ptV4iilsl.5 ~
afford the best means of ultimately SecuIus
more equitable aud satisfactory ulustinen' Vi
me- relatons of the transportation interests 20
the community than tney 'heiiisei' q nav @~>'
able Co bring about
Thc evidence upon this point !, So conclusive
th.+ +ha committee has no hesitation nm declli-
ine that prompt action by Congress upon 'lls
iruortaut subject Is almost UNANIMOUSLY "e-
manjej hy public sentiment
assume. therefore, that there Is no long
.er mucb difference of opinion upon the
wisdom aud necessity of Congress passing
81 bin DAD regulate interstate commerce, anu
In mv Indictment. the committee has submit
led with It's report bill which, IN us mann
features. will meet the appreciation Oh the
country.
The methods for carrying out and eniorc-
inc the provisions of the bill by creating
Government bureau i'm the Interior Depart
ment ior chat purpose will, l think, be re-
rq~lsd with particular favor for the reason
Tbar Do establishes tribunal under the con-
rroI of the Government 90 enforce us pro-
vision. without cost 20 individual Shippers.
No matter how wise and efficient any law
for tbi. purpose may be IN its provisions, II
It's execution depends upon She Efforts OF lu-
divi3uals t0 enforce DO many violations
would bs submitted 20 rather than incur the
expense and trouble OF seeking redress ih
the courts. ,...-
Bur Mr.. President, 10 is not my object TO
discuss the general features OF the bill that
ha. already occupied the attention oil the
Senate Nv object is 90 call the attention
of Nh. senate 10 the fourth section OF the
bin us reported by the committee anu 20
urrs cine adoption of the amendment pro-
posed by me Co that section.
I win ask the Secretary TO report the
amendment
The Chief Clerk read as follows
Strike out Oh OF section q from the first 70
the eighteenth lines inclusive and insert l"
.Sr.' a That it shall be unlawful for any
Common carrier. Us provided iu the urst sec,iui
of this act t0 charge or receive any greater
romneusaG0u for a similar amount ana KIN"
of property for carrying. receiving storing,
forwarding or handling the same lor q shoItel
than for q longer distance. which lnciuues lne
shorter distance. ON any one railroad ana 'Hg
road of corporation shall include al the roau
in r.e bv such corporation whether owned or
onar.-ai by 20 under contract, agreement OF
lease 5y such corporation.
1Ir. CAMDEN. The fourth section as II
now stands IN tine bin Is as follows
Sr- Tbatitshall beunlawful for amy com
mon carrier ro charge Or receive any greater
COMPENSATION iu the aggregate Tor the trans
po-.ltion of passengers or property SUBJECT 20
f.e provisions of this act llr shorter than iof
b. Ior..r distance over the same line, lu the
Same direction. and from tue same original
p.irt of leoarturc Po'i.i. blrHe', That up
5u application 90 the commission 3p-
pointed under the PROVISIONS OF thl'
Icr. such common carrier may, DID, spcc'1i c'''.9'
b. authorized tl charge less for longer tAdh lot
shorter distances for thc transportation of pas
/ serre-- or property. and tlc commission may
from time to time make general rules covering
I exceptions OBJ amy such common carrier lh
I c.-e. where there is competition 10y uNer sea-
cana. or lake. eXempung such designated com
mon carrier iu such special cases nom lhe opei-
alton of this section of this act and when sucn
executions shall have been made and puohshed
/ tl.v. Shall have like force and effect us though
/ -.e same bad been specified lu TINS ,ecioh.
ANY common carrier who shall violate tne
provision, Ol this section ot tins dcl snal re
I deemed guilty of cNtortion, and shall oe liable
ro t.e person or persons against Wnom any
such excessive charge was made Tor all danla-
-,, 0.cl-ioneJ by such violation.
ru. provision contained i'm the section, as
rcpor "a. to prohibit charging more TOR "a
shorter than longer haul does not go lar
enough to provide against the evils OF dls-
elimination most largely complained OF by
/ shippers AN over the country.
Al the last session of the I0rty-eighth
/ CONGRESS. when % bin somewhat similar to
tine one now under consideration was before
/ the senate. 1ul which did not contain any
provision CD regulate charges for long and
~hor. hauis. I advocated an amendment sub
,tautillly the same as the one now proposed.
I have alvav, been of the decided opln-
/ iou tlat d provision prohibiting the cnarg-
/ inc more for q shorter than longer maui,
which embraced the shorter haul, embodied
. the most important feature that could be
embraced in any bin for the regulation OF
TRANSFORMATION. and . ann more aud more
impressed every day with Che comprehen-
,ive Justice and importance of such pro-
vision. unqualified 10y limitations and eN-
cepu0us. In my opinion it Is the key to
The whole transportation problem 20 pre-
vent determinations and 90 force the rail-
road, ,o properly adjust rates from compe
tine points The principle Is fam TO both
railroads and shippers under all crcum-
stances. and there should be no exceptions
,1 the rule.
The fourth section of the bill as reported
is intended -0 recognize this principle, but
it, limitations and provisos destroy It's force
and value and render it Inadequate 20 meet
the universal demands of all sections OF the
country upon this subject The committee
in It's report recognizes this principle.
quote from page 1873;
RATES oN long $50 SHORT HAC1s.
The mo--p popular remedy proposed for the
prevention Of unjust Determinations between
places and persons ON account OF distance has
been what is called o ">h0rt-haui law or the
prohibition Ci d greater aggregate charge Tor q
Shorter tlau fora longer distance as between
shipments of the same kind Overthe same road
and going iu the same direction.
$50 question connected with the problem of
railroad regulation has given cine committee
more uerp.cNity than chat relating 90 the utl-
i-r and eXpcdieucy OF legislation prohibiting
d carrier from charging more fora shorterthan
fora longer haul under amy circumstances, not
that we have any doubt Cd, to the injustice OF
such charge under most circumstances. but
because &c seems iucXpejient to enforce such q
regulation under an circumstances.
pauln.e Determinations. peculiar Co no
State or locality. but too common. apparently,
tla.I would seem t1 De rcmedIed by such
provision. Dr. is asked Tor and urged 90 pre-
..uic the carriers from r,iwbUrsiug out of To-
ODD ra.. and shippers what they lose oy recS-
less and needles, competition upon through
rates DO IS too plain to Dee made palmer by ar-
.um..r that Within certain limits and under
certain oft-oocUrriug conditions. the provision
would le % u-eiI. and fair one.
a. does NOS seem as 10 there could be any
Justification for charging one shipper more for
...r.I r-.- ID chr nf eraiu ID miles than le or an