Morning journal and courier., 1889-03-09

ml0SL6r a numOer or WOm0u were DaOly frightened by the seismic wave and rushed slightly in the northern portion of this city, but no damage is reported. The wave seemed to be travelling in a southeasterly direction.
 OF IMPORTANCE TO SHIPPERS. The Interstate Commerce Commits
 sion Issue an Important Circular
 Regarding the Act of March 2-The
 Provisions of This Act.
 WASHINGTON, D. O., March S.-The inter- State commerce commission to-day issued the following important circular pertaining to the interstate act of March 3, 1889:
 The attention of carriers is called to the act of Congress approved March 2, 1889, en- titled 'An act to amed 'an act to regulate commerce."
 The interstate commerce oommissien has caused the laws as thus amended to be print ed for general distribution, and will furniah copies upon application by mail or other wise.
 Section of the act as 1t now stands con- tains the following provisions in respect to joint tariffs:
 No advance shall be made in joint rates fares; and charges shown up on joint tariffs, except after ten days notice to the commis- sion, which shall plainly state the changes proposed to be made in the schedule then in force, and the time when the increased rates, fares or charges will go into effect. No re- nuction shall be made in joint rates, fares or charges except after three days notice to be given to the commission, as is above provid- ed in the case of an advance of joint rates. The commission may make public such pro- posed advances or such reductions in such manner as it may in it's judgment be deemed practicable and may prescribe from time to time the measure of publicity which common carriers shall give to advances or re. duction in joint tariffs. It will be observed that an advance in rates shown upon joint tariffs is forbidden "except after ten days notice to the commission" and reduction in such rates is also forbidden "except after three days notice to be given to the commis- sion" The time in each case IS to be com puted from the day when the notice of ad- vance or reduction reaches the office of the commission in Washington. The transpor- tation of passengers or freight over continu- ous lines or routes operated by more than one carrier upon through billing necessarily i'm plies the existence of joint tariffs. All joint tariffs now filed in the office of the commission will be understood as remaining in force until due notice of advance or re- duction is given. When no other tariff is filed the rates on joint traffic are understood to be the sum of the local rates ot the indi- vidual roads. An order will at once be made, prescribing that all future advances and reductions in joint tariffs shall be given the same publicity which is required in the case of tariffs of individual carriers.
 Until such advances or reductions are noti fed to the commission and made public, ex- istiug joint tariffs as above defined must be observed The amendment further provides as follows:
 "It shall be unlawful for any common carrier, party to any joint tariff to charge, demand, collect or receive from any person or persons a greater or less compensation for the transportation of persons or property or for any services in connection herewith be- tween points as to which joint rate. fare or charge is named thereon than is specified in the schedule filed with the commission in force at the tlme."
 It is therefore now an indictable ofense for any carrier to participate in the reception of compensation above or below the estab- lished rate for the transportation of any joint traffic whatsoever. This provision operates to prevent discrimination among shippers, and in the case of it's violation proof can readily be made. Another provision requires the commission to execute and enforce the provisions of the act and makes it the duty of any district attorney of the United States upon the request of the commission to lnstl tute and prosecute all necessary proceedings for that purpose.
 The rule heretofore existing which re- ouires ten days' notice of any advance in tho rates estaDllSneQ Dy lnulf1ufai coiAAeie As 0n larged by adding the following provision: Predictions in such published rates, fares or charges shall only be made after three days previous notice, to be given in the same manner that notice of any advance 1T rates must be given" The effect of tht | amendments is to place joint tariffs ane ! individual tariffs under substantially | the same rules. Neither can be re duced without three days public notice ol 1 advance without ten days puolice notice, ,anc l the commission must also be notified ot al | contemplated changes, individual and join | tariffs alike must be observed in their integ 1 rity, and all interstate traffic is necessarily
 accepted under either an individual or | joint tariff The commission understans that all tariffs now on file in it's office, estab
 lished by carriers accepting merchandis
 billed or intended for export by sea
 show the rate charged by the inlant
 carrier or carriers to the point of ex
 port, with a notation to the effect tha
 through rate is determined by the addition
 of the ocean rate from time to time prevail ing. The law contemplates that all traH
 from inland points must be taken under joint tariff or an individual tariff. The tar
 ifs above referred as now on file embrac
 both classes. Under these tariffs the inlan
 rate to the point of export cannot be varie
 without subjeeting the carrier to the penal | oe &Ea Iouz