New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1889-03-14
SHIPPERS OPEN TO PUNISHMENT!
THE AMENDMENTS TO THE INTERSTATE COM.
MERGE Law AGAINST FRAUD AND coll

LUsIoN IN RATE-CUTTING.
Scarcely any publicity has been gwen in the press
TO tho amendments to the Interstate Commerce law
which render shippers Habc to punishment for using
improper methods for securing favors In railroad rates
and for collision with tho roads in cutting the public
tariffs In railroad circles, however, those amend
ments arc subjects Of congratulaton Is believed
that they win greatly facilitate the present efforts
made by the trunk lines and the Western associations
10 seclrs provisions for maintaining stable rates.
Several years ago tho railroads, in seltdefenee against
shippers who sought TO obtain advantages over the
carriers by disappearing tho weights and character
OF Shipments were compelled TO establish bureaus OF
inspection. These bureaus wero utilized, also, TO
protect the honest road against rs dishonest neghbor
which praetSed various methods for secretly cutting
rates. II Is now expected that tho Interstate Com
MISSION reinforced by the additions 20 the Federal
law, viii take aggressive action TO compel general
observance Of the legal requirements for uniform
rates. The roads certain 10 seize the first oppor
hInlty to direct the machinery Of tho courts against
shippers who wilfully seek 10 misropresent their
shipments IS 10 obtain rates lower than the
tariff. The amendments to Section 10 Of the Inter
state law impose fine Of not over 5000 or Inn
pnsonment not exceeding two years ON all shippers
who iahify the contents weights Of their shipments
or IN any way seek 10 obtain less than regular rates
or who endeSyor to induce any road to discriminate
N their favor The shipper Is also rendered liable to
suits for damages from any persons injured by the
illegal practices acts of the offender The language
Of this part Of Section 10 Of tho Federal act as
amended March ., 1850, reads Ns follows:
Any person and any officer or agent OF any cor
poratlon or company who shall deliver property for
transportation 70 any common carrier, subject 10 the
provisions OF this act, or for whom as oondgnor or
consgnec any such carrier shall transport property
who shall knowingly and whuliy, by ialse bllllng,
lion Of the contents Of the packages or false reports
Of weights, or by any other device or means whether
with or without the consent or conniyanee OF tho
for such property at less than the regular ratos hon
established and In force tho line Of transportation
shall DO deemed guilty OF fraud, which i hereby de-
ciarcd 10 be msdemeanor. and shall upon con,
vicon thereof IN any court OF The United states Of
s seh offence was committed be- subject for each
offence 70 q fine not exceeding $4,000 or imprison-
ment in the pententary for term Of not exceeding
two years, or both, in the discretion Of the court
II any such person. or any oheer or agent OF any
money or other thing OF value, solicitation or other
wise induce any common carrier subject 70 the pro
S ~ SIscr /. Tnusty Ia his s or their favor
rs against any, other consgnor o. consgnee In the
OF PrSey or shSH a oE SSo'
person or such officer agent OF such corporation
or company shall DO deemed guilty Of mlsdsmeanor
and shall, upon conviction thereof IN any court OF
the United States of competent Jurisdiction within
the district In which such offence was committed,
prsonmsnt in the peHitentiary for term Of not az
Feeding two years or both, In the discretion Of the
ton or company shall also, together with said
common carriers, be liable, Jointly or severay, in an
action IN tho case 10 be brought BY any eonstgnor
or eonsgnee Disseminated against IN any court OF
the United States OF competent jurisdiction, for all
damages caused by or resulting therefrom.
DIVIDEND ON ST. PAUL PREFERRED STOCK.
The directors OF the Chicago Milwaukee and ST.
Paul Railway Company, at their meeting yesterday
declared dividend OF two per cent the preferred
stock, payable on April 81. Unusual attention was
attracted to- this meeting BY the recent Wall street
rumon that several changes IN the board were likely
to be ade, aud by the fact that the net earnings OF the
company for the calendar year left only small to
DO divided among tho preferred stockholders. Tho