The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1891-12-16
brought about by Democrats, and / want to
honor those to whom honors belong"


Sor-Scupier DILL lntrO0uCeo Dy 0rs CuILOfns
and Flag Bill y MIR. Sherman.
WASHINGTON. Dec. 15.-Among the bills
introduced in the Senate to-day was one
by Senator Cullom for the adoption and
use of uniform standard car-coupler, and
regulating the operation and control of
freight trains used in interstate commerce
and for the greater safety of railroad en-
ployes. ItproviGes that all common carriers
and all employees whose duties include the
coupling of cars. and who are members of
established organizations of railway en-
ployes, may. within six months after the
passage of this act, vote upon the choice of
an automatic car-eoupler. Such coupler
may be of the vertical pc. but must be so
devised as to couple by impact, and to dis
pense with any person going between the
cars to couple or uncouple. Every common
carrier is to be entitled to one vote
for every freight car owned, leased
or controlled. and the employees entitled in
the aggregate to one third as many votes as
may be cast by oil the common carriers, the
Interstate-commerce Commission to have
the power to decide upon the validity of
the votes cast. If not less than 6O0,0O0
votes have been cast, and the entire vote
for any particular coupler ia not less than
500, coo. the commission shall certify these
facts to the President, who shall issue
proclamation declaring the coupler chosen
to be the standard safety car-coupler for
use In Interstate commerce. And in case
no choice is made the President shall ap-
point n commission OF five competent per-
sons to determine the coupler best to be
used. The bill further provides that all
carriers are to equip at least 10 per cent each
year of the number of freight cars used and
also to equip every engine with the power
brake known as the "driviBg-wh heel brake"
The bill provides further that violation
of the act shall be considered q misde-
meanor. and punishable By fine of $780,
The commission may extend the time to
any particular company within which it
shall be required to comply with the pro-
visions of the bill, and after the year 1900
any company may refuse to accept any car
not equipped as required by the bill. The
bill also provides that the commission shall
invite bids from inventors of cOupIers, stat
ing what they will accept from the United
States for their patents, and upon the pur-
chase of the patent by the government the
coupler may be used or manufactured by
any body free. The salary of the commits
sioners IS fixed at 5000 year, and an ap-
preparation of $4,000 is made to carry out
the proposed measures.
Another bill introduced by Senator Cul-
lom. amendatory of the interstate-com-
meIce act, provides that schedules, and
tariffs. and agreements between railroads
facie evidence of investigations by the
commission and In all judicial proceedings
1t also makes the statistics, tables, etc.,
contained in the annual reports of rail-
deHce. 1t further provides that the pro-
duction of testimoney shall be according to
the established rules of evidence obtaining
on the ohancery side of the Circuit courts,
with the exception that the answers OF de-
PENDANTS to complaints shall have no
N val OH q "
guired to make O written report. specify
ing violations of law and containing It's
findings of facts and recommendations.
On an appeal 10 the Circuit Court OF the
to the record presented from the Interstate
commerce Commission, except where the
party has q right to trial by jury under the
Constitution, when the case shall be tried
de novo. The right to a rehearing by tho
commission is reserved.
Senator Sherman to-day introduced O
flag bill which authorizes the Quarter
master general of the army to sell for cash
to q. A. X. posts and citizens OF the United
States flags of the patterns prescribed by
the army regulations. the price to be fixed
at the same they cost the government. the
object being to promote and encourage the
display of the flag. The bill further pro-
videS that any person found guilty OF
anthing tending to bring the government
into contempt shall be guilty Of mis-
demeanor and subject to a fine and i'm
prisOnment.
Senator DAVIS presented memorial of
the Legislature of Minnesota in favor of the
passage of law declaring Oct. ~. the
anniversary of the discovery OF America
by Columbus-a day of national thanks
giving.
Mr.. PettIgrew introduced abill to anthor-
lze the Secretary of War to furnish ratio ns
to the Grand Army men at their encamD-
ment In Washington in 1892.
Mr.. Manderson offered resolution ask
ing the President. In the usual manner. to
furnish the correspondence in relation to
the case of Nicotine Milo, a naturalized
citizen of the United States. who, returning
to Italy, his native land, on business, had
been imprisoned and compelled to do serv-
Ice in the Italian army.
Senator Hiscock introduced bill in
creaslng to Sl00 per month the pension OF
Gen. William II. Morris.
Senator Voorhees, introduced q bill ap-
propriating $4,000 for the purpose of pur-
chasing an oil painting of Abraham Lincoln
by George w. Travis.