The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1888-06-13

xn0 IL
special freight contrasts unds. which rebates
Prominent among the evils complained Of before
the passage OF the intsrstate-eommerce act had
been. the secret cutting OF rates. the sudden
huctuation OF rates and the prevailing system OF
special rates These evils bad not yet been en-
tir ely abolished: but the provision OF Law max
ing il unlawful for carrier TO change more or
less than its schedule rates, bad very largely
put al end 70 secret rste-cursing. The changes
which the law had wrought in that particular
were very note worthy and exceedingly satis-
factory TO business men and manufacturers, and
indeed. 10 all clippers In regard TO the trans
portation Of passengers the Law had already Of
fected some very important reforms, and bad
almost completely done away with the evils for
merry complained OF. Many railroads had DIS
continued the giving OF paeses entirely. though
most Of them issued passes good for transports-
ton within single State. This practice al
forded many opportunities OF evading the proni-
billions OF the interstate act. and the evil could
not be effectively dealt with IN tl the State leg
isIaturss prohibited the giving Of passes good
within the RESPECTIVE States. Two cases OF dis
examination against colofed people In the South
had been brought before the commissioners,
and 10 both instances the commissioners had
decided that the Accommodations furnished
were uusstisfsctory and the treatment of the
colored passengers unjust Thanks TO the In
terstate-commerce law, the colored people or
sne South-sven If denied their political rights
could hereafter secure EQUALITY OF treatment
from the railroads &C least Mr.. Cullom re-
ferred to the payment OF commissions az
an abuse, and reviewed the cases Of dis
crimination decided by the commission TO
show what the operations of the law had been 10
this respect In speaking OF the cases brought
by George Rice against the various Southern
railroads. based on Determinations against him
and in favor Of the Standard OIL Company. Mr..
Cullom said: Tho testimony In thess cases
showed beyond dispute that the defendant rail-
roads had persistently Disseminated against Mr..
Rice In every lima ENABLE way; that they had fire.
quentiy refused to give him Information about
their rates, and had deceived him as to the rates
when they did name them. In short, the testi-
mony made IL evident that the officers Of these
roads acted in concert doing whatever they
could to interfere with his business and the
proceedings in these cases demonstrated the
STAINLESS subserviency Of the railroads involved
50 the contaminatinR influence Of the most IN
scrupulous and unconscious able combine of the
present day-tbe gigantic Standard Oil Trust"
Mr.. CuIlom thought that it must be concsdsd
that the law had been Of very great value to the
people in reducing rates. Prior to April, 1887.
the practice Of charging more at intermediate
local points than at more distant competitive
points was universal, and the smaller towns and
cities were being gradually crushed out by rea-
son Of the favoritism shown to commercial
centers" and competing points When the law
so.k effect most OF the carriers r'vo-
spect and framed their tariffs
in accordance with the short-haul principle;
large sections Of the country bad been favorsbly
affected by tho operations Of this section, and
had received lower rates than ever before. This
was especially true Of western Illinois. Wiscon-
sin, southern Minnesota, western Iowa and
Missouri, eastern Nebraska and Kansas, north
ern Vermont and New York, Michigan, Missis-
sippi and many other ssotiona After having
A. = 81
tsrstate-commerce Law. Mr.. Cullom proceeded
TO explain what Was proposed to be effected BY
the amendments. They. he said. had been suR-
gestec by the difficulties encountered In secur-
ing thorough enforcement Of the law, and
were intended TO strengthen IL and bring
about . more strict Observance Of its
reouirements. They would, II incor-
poratsd in the existing law, add greatly TO
it's effectiveness One OF them was TO require
three days notice Of the reduction of the rates.
At present there was no notice required for q
reduction. but only OF an advance Of rates. He
claimed that this would lessen the operation Of
evadine the law by giving favored shippers
secret notice Of tho intention Of reductions, and
Another amendment proposed was 70 extend the
penalty for unlawful Determinations TO imprison-
ment, as we'll as to fines. Another amend ent
was directed against the practice known as under
billing, by which goods which should como under
one classification were entered under lower
enormously since the Interstate commerce act
took effect and was as clearly unlawful as the
payment OF rebates, or as discrimination by an
other device. Petitions and memorials against
the evil had been sent to the Senate and re-
ferred to the committee on interstate COM
merce, from commercial bodies in Peoria, Chi.
caeo, st. Louis, Philadelphia. New York. Buff
falo. Boston. Toledo, Memphis and Savannah,
and one from New York business men selling
over $3.50. o0o, 600 worth of goods annually. Most
OF the other amendments, he said, were purely
formal and explained themselves
In conclusion. Mr.. Cullom said: There 10
business question in which the people of the
country have Q deeper interest. for the reason
that there IL none which bears moro directly up
on their financial prosperity. Cheap transporta-
ton and equality of rights Ia its enjoyment ara
two great demands Of the times and the Nation
will fail Of ts duty If 1t does not do what it can
to secure both to the people. The best possible
conditions must surround our Internal com
msrce aud We must give the people the best
possible advantages Whenever We can. In reach
ing whatever market may DO open to them In
any Of the nations. The Constitution imposes
the duty upon as, a. Congress-. OF regulating
commerce among the several States and with
foreign nations. Let Us do both In The interest
of the people. without fear or favor; fearing not
to do right by ALL whether engaged In one pur-
suis or another, favoring none. whether clothed
with corporate power or in the common walks
of life. Equality of rights is the watchword Of
this country, and 1t applies ~ well to business
transactions as to the right to be free or the
right to vote"
A message from the President Was received,
returning without his approval, pension bill,
on the ground that the beneficiary had received
no injury in the army. Referred to the commit
tee on pensions Also, another message. return
ing, without his approval. bill relieving gov
ernnent contractor for an Indebtedness Of
81 ,042 incurred by . non-ful6lment OF the con-
tract Referred to the committee on military
affairs.
The Senate then proceeded to consideration Of
the Notifications appropriation bill. and was adj
dressed by Mr. Dopn on the subject of coast
dsfenses. The bill went over without action.
and the District oe Columbia appropriation bill
was taken up il also went over without action,
and the Senate adjourned.
The Discussion al the Mills Bill.
wAsHINGToN. June 12-Mr. Taulbee, Of Ken
lucky, called up a. the regular order of bust
ness the resolution reported yesterday from the
committee on postoAices. calling on the Post
master-general for tabulated statement Of the
disallowed postmastsrs' claims presented from
the State of Kentucky under the act Of March
3, 1883 The report on the resolution is an ad-
verse one, and the recommendation 10 that il lie
upon the table The minority Of the com miltee,
however fled report in favor OF the resolution,
with the recommendation that the words from