Asheville daily citizen. [volume] (Asheville, N.C.) 1890-1900, 1891-01-16
THE RAILWAY COMMISSION
SYNOPSIS OF THIS IHPOR-
TANT BILL.

II IL Far-Reaching In It's Effects
and Will Probably he Consider.
ably Amended Before ITS AdOp-
ton.
The railway commission bill, as it now
stands, provides for three commission
ers to be elected by the legislature, for
six year terms, save that the terms of
those whose term of office begins April 1
next shall serve for two, four orsix years,
respectively; the salary to be $4,000
yearly, and the clerk to be allowed ST.
200. The money to meet these expenses
shall be divided pro rata among the sew
eral railway cod npanies according to the
assessed value of their property i'll this
state.
If after the passage of the act any sucll
company shall charge, more than fair
and reasonable rate for the transporta-
ton of passengers or freight OF any kind,
it shall be deemed guilty of extortion. If
any company shall make any unjust dis
elimination in it's rates for the transpor-
tation of passengers or freight it shall be
violation of this act.
The commissioners arc to make reason
able and Just rates of freight and passen-
ger tariffs, to be observed by all railway
companies doing business in this State
and in making rates shall consider the
actual value of the employed capital oi
the corporation, its earnings on its road;
and shall make reasonable and just rules
and regulations, to be observed by all
railways doing business in this state,
as to charges at and all points for the
necessary handling and delivering Of
freight, and also rules to prevent unjust
discrimination in the transportation Of
freight and passengers, and shall also
make rules to prevent the giving of any
rebate or bonus, directly or indirectly
and to prevent the misleading or deceiv
ing the public in any manner as TO the
real rates charged for freights and pas
sengers, and the commissioners shal
have full power to fix the difference il
rates for long and short hauls. The com
mission shall have power, acting will
the RAILWAYS, to make special rates TO
the purpose of developing manufactur
ing enterprises in the state. Schedule
of rates are to be prepared for each com
pany. The companies after having tllct
exceptions with the commission) to tn
rates it objects to aud the grounds o
objection shall have the right of appea
to the courts from the decision of tn
commission, which is to be given in tel
days after filing of complaint. Sue
cases shall have precedence of other civi
actions. Either party may appeal t.
the supreme court from the Judgment G
the superior court.
Each railway corporatian shall in thin
ty days after the commission is orgar
lied file a schedule of its freight and pa:
senger rates. The commissioners sha
Investigate the books and papers of a
railways doing business nthe state, an
shall personally visit its stations and o
fees, with power to examine all agent
and employees, or other persons, unde
oath, to ascertain if the rules and regulf
tions of the commission are violated. A
contracts and agreements as to freigf
and passenger rates shall be submitte
to the commission for inspection and CO..
rection. Violations of the regulation {
the commissions are punishable by fine
of from 500 to $1,000, actions to be
thu name of the state.
The commission shall inform the con
panies of any repairs, or additions to il
rolling stock or to stations whic
are deemed necessary. The charg'
on express packages are not
be over 25 cents on packages und
five pounds, valued at less than $25. I'll
charges for kilograms not over ten wore
shall not exceed 25 cents. These rules a
to be to any point in the State. No ra
way shall grant passes to the egislato
or to any State, county or municipal {
ficer, and no tickets to these shall be so
. at discount. and any one of tho
If named who accepts, uses or travels
such pass or ticket at discount, shi
be guilty of a misdemeanor and punish
by a fine.-Wilmington Messenger.