, 1888-06-14

70 that committee, because hi did not want
the resolution killed. The resolution went
over without action until Tomorrow. The
appropriation bill for the department of az.
riculture was reported from the committee
on appropriations and placed or the calen.
dar.
INTERSTATE COMMERCE. LAW.
On motion the Cullom bill to amend the
inter state commerce law was taken up
and Cullom proceeded TO address the sen.
ate in explanation and in advocacy OF it,
The passage Of that act he said, marked u
new era in the management OF railway
business OF the United States. One of the
immediate effects of 1t had been the
abandonment of all pools by carriers,
but associations had been carried on reor.
GUS memberships to carry out their objects,
but 1t was the general belief that the divis.
ion Of business and diversion of freiuhts
which had been the most Objectionable fea.
ture of the pooling system had ceased en-
tirely, and that places which had been
formerly held in thraldom by these pools,
had since the passage OF this act,
ENJOYED THE ADVANTAGE OF COMPETITION
between river lines. The long and short
haul sections had together been effective i'm
relieving smaller cities which formerly had
suffered most from the blishtng domna.
ton OF railroad pools, but the existing
traffic associations still managed to control
rates on certain classes of important traffic
as arbitrarily as in the palmiest days of the
old pooling system. Cases were now
pending before the commission which in.
volved these questions, and which might
result In breaking up the arbitrary control
still exercised by trunk lines over certain
important classes of traffic. If they did
nos, 1t would be necessary for congress to
strengthen the pooling section so as to
prohibit any combinations among carriers
4 rnl ha raj A ~ hnr ,f,tt H.
rates and the sudden fluctuations OF rates,
and the prevailing system of special rates
These evils had not yet been entirely
abolished but the provision OF the law
making 1t
UNLAWFUL FOR ANY CARRIER TO CHARGE
more or less than its schedule rates, had
very largely put an end to this secret cut
ting. The changes which the law had
wrought in that particular we're very note
worthy and exceedingly satisfactory to all
business men and manufacturers, and in
deed to all shippers In regard to the trans
portation ofpassengers, the law had already
said the testimony in these cases showed
beyond dispute that different roads had
persistently Disseminated against Rice in
every imaginable way; that they had fire.
quently refused to give him information
about their rates, and had deceived him as
to rates when they did name them. In
short, the testimony made it evident that
officers on those roads acted in concert,
doing whatever they could to interfere with
his business; and the proceedings demon
strated
SHAMEFUL sUBsERvIENCY OF THE RAILROADS
involved to the communicating influence
of the most INSCRIPTIONS Combine" OF
the present day, the Gigantic Standard
Oil Trust" Cullom thought that il might
be conceded the law had been OF very great
value TO the people in reducing rates. es-
ptalI in vii fha .l.,r
principle. Gulom then proceeded to ex-
plain what was proposed to be effected by
the amendments. They would, if in the ex-
listing law, add greatly to it's effectiveness
one OF them was to require three days
notice OF a reduction of rates. At present
there was no notice required for reduc.
tion, but only OF an advance of rates.
Another amendment proposed, was to ex.
tend the penalties for unla discrimna-
tions to Imprisonment as well as to fines
Another was directed against the
PRACTICE KNOWN AS UNDER BILLING.
This practice had increased enormously
since the Interstate commerce law took
effect, and was as clearly unlawful as the
payment OF rebates or Discrimination by
any other device. In conclusion Cullom
said There is no business question in
which the people of the country have
deeper interest in for the reason that there
is none which bears more directly upon
their financial prosperity, Cheap trans
portion and equality of rights in its enjoy
Inent are two great demands of the times,
and this nation will fail of its duty, if it
does not do what it can to secure both to
the people"
message from the president was pre-
sented returning without his approval
pension bill on the ground that the bene-
hciary had received no injury in the army.
Referred to the committee on pensions
Also another message returning without
approval bill relieving government con-
tractor OF the payment of an Indebtedness
OF $lO42 incurred by the non fulfllment OF
II contract. Referred to the committee on
military affairs.
The senate then proceeded to the con-
sidsration of the fertilization appropriation
bill, and was addressed by Dolph on
coast defenses. The bill went over
without action and the District Of Colum
bia appropriation bill was taken uet |
also went over without action and nd
senate adjourned
In the house to-day, Crisp, of Georgia.
called up the report of the committee on
elections, and the contested case of Frank VS..
Glover, from the ninth district of Missouri.
The accompanying resolution, affirming
the rig hit OF Glover, the sitting member to
the seat, was adopted without division.
Johnson, of Indiana, called up the con-
tested election cases of Lynch vs. Van
ueNeTt lTOui VIC SlAIu CONGRESSIONAL QStrlCt
of California, and the resolution in favor of
the sitting member: was adopted without
The house then went into the committee
OF the whole, with Mr.. Springer, of Him
ois, in the chair on the tariff bill. Byrum,
of Indiana, moved to strike from the free
list, flax seed, known as dressed Isle.
Agreed to.
Kelly OF Pennsylvania, moved to strike
from the free list hemp, MANILA, and other
like substitutes for hemp. Motion lost.
Kelly1moved to strike from the free list.
jute butts. He sent 10 the clerks desk
and had read report from the agricultu-
raj department upon this subject OF jute
Before the reading was COM
pleted Kelly's time expired, and he asked