The Durham recorder. [volume] (Durham, N.C.) 1879-19??, 1891-01-28
RAILROAD COMMISSION.

RAILROAD COMMISSION.
The full title Of the railroad
commission bill introduced in
the3 Senate by Mr.. Butler, of
Sampson county, is IAN Act to
Provide for the General Super
vision of Railroads, Steamboat
or Canal Companies, Express
and Telegraph Companies Do
ing Business in the State Of
North Carolina" 1t consists of
twenty-eight sections, and the
full text would fill five solid col
umns Of this paper.
Section l provides that there
shall be three commissioners to
be elected by the general as
sembly, to hold Office six years,
the terms of those elected first
being arranged so that there
viii be one commissioner to
elect at each session of the legis-
lature. 1t also provides that
these commissioners shall not
own stocks or bonds of corpora
tions affected by the provisions
Of the act and shall not be
agents, attorneys or employees
of such corporations.
Section 2 fixes the salary Of
the commissioners at $4,000 a
year to be paid out of the gem
eral fund, and authorizes the en-
ployment of q clerk at a salary
Of $1,000 a year. It requires
that an Office be kept at Raleigh.
Sections 3 and 4 prohibit ex-
cessive charges for passenger or
freight transportation, and un-
just Discrimination in rates.
Section 5 empowers the COM
missioners to make rates for
freight and.passenger transpor-
tation, and authorizes them to
consider the circumstances of
the companies affected. It en-
powers them to make rules for
the regulation Of rates and
the prevention Of descrimina-
ton, and to regulate the differ
ences between long haul and
short haul rates. In cases of
discrimination in transporting
freight from beyond state
limits, it is made the duty of the
commissioners to make COM
plant to the interstate COM
mission. Authority is given to
the commissioners and corpora
tons jointly to make special
rates for the purpose of devel-
oping mining, manufacturing,
etc. and recognizes the right to
make excursion rates for pleas
ure parties.
Section s empowers the COM
missioners 70 make and alter
schedules Of rates for all trans
portation companies, subject to
appeal 10 the courts, and pro-
vides for speedy hearings.
Section 2 authorizes the COM
missioners 70 inspectthe books
and papers Of transportation
companies and 70 examine
agents and employees to ascer-
tain II the regulations are COM
piled with.
Section 8 provides that agree
ments between companies as to
rates or as TO division Of earn
ings shall be submitted to the
commissioners for approval.
Section sprovides for a PEN
atty Of from $500 to 5000 for a
violation Of the regulations un-
less full compensation be made
70 the person wronged or in
iured.
Section 10recognizes the right
Of any person who has suffered
. wrong or injury TO bring suit
against the company, and re-
cover a. under existing laws.
Section II provides that all
fnes and penalties collected for
violation Of the provisions Of
the act shall be paid into the
state treasury.
Section u defines the mean.
ing Of certain words and terms
In the act.
Section 10 provides that ship
pers may demand and receive
duplicate freight receipts speci-
tying the class Of freight and
the rate thereon, and that the
agent AZ place Of delivery shall