Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1891-02-06
THE RAILWAY BILL.
THREE COMMISSIONERS SALARIES,
DUTIES, AND POWERS
10 Regulate Fares and Freight Rates-The
short and Long Haui-Damages
for Injuries.
rsp,c,sl telegram % tho Dispalch.i

RAi.yaeu, n. c.. February 5.--The rail-
wav commission bill was reported in the
Legislature to-day by the special commit
tee favorably. The following is sum
mary OF all its salient features: ltprovides
for three commissioners. salary $500; one
clerk. salary 81, 200; commissioners TO have
no interest in any railway Governor 10
have power TO suspend for violation of
this: commissioners 10 be elected by Le-
pisiature; commission 10 have power to
regulate rates Of freight and fare or cause
tho aame 10 be furnished: railways forbid
den 20 give any undue advantage or pre-
ference to any person; commission IN
making rates shall il IL sees fit consider as
far rs practicable actual value Of employed
capital of corporation, its earnings, aud
cost of operation; II companies charge
more than fair and reasonable rates tney
shall be deemed guilty Of extortion but
there shall be no conviction unless inc OF
fence shall be committed after the rates OF
the company as fixed by the commission
and excepted 20 have been sustained on
appeal TO the Superior Court
THE LONG AND SHORT HAUL.
The railways not 10 receive as great com
pensation for o short Gs for long naut ;
nothing In this act 10 interfere WIN ltolBn
coming under the provisions OF the inter-
state commerce law, railway companies
have right Of appeal 10 Judge OF superior
Court in term. time. and thence t0Snprene
Court from any determination OF commas
sion fixing OF refusing 20 change Iate vi
fare or freight; commission REQUIRED 20 as
speedily as possible make rates OF charges
for each company.
sPEcIAL AUTHORITY.
The commission has authority TO
make special rates for the purpose OF de-
yeloping internal improvements railWays
have power to make excursion rates ei.noI
party has right of appeal to courts, anu
courts may advance such cases on uocAe, ~
30 as 10 give them precedence over a.,
other cases; no Judge 10 grant injunction
AGAINST rates unless companies give gusu-
fed undertaking in amounts ample 70
indemnify shippers in case commission Is
sustained (S25.OO0 for roads OF less than
fftv miles and $4,000 for roads OF over
fifty miles); commission IN discnarge OF
duties has night TO investigate DOCKS ah3
papers Of all roads, as wen as sHaiTs o'
same. in order 10 see if rules and reguia;1
tions of commission are carried out ana
also 10 ascertain profits of road with view
10 ascertaining reasonableness OF rates; all
contracts and agreements between railway
companies doing business IN state as 70
freight and passenger rates are on demand
20 be submitted TO commission Tor lnspec-
ton and correction.
PUNISHMENT FOR VIOLATION OF RULES.
Violations of the regulations of the COM
mission punishable by fines of $50 10 S5OUO,
10 be fixed by the Judge of the court IN
which action is tried, actions TO lie IN any
county most convenient TO all parties con-
cerned: cumulative damages allowed ior
injuries TO persons in addition 10 damages
allowed by the common law; commission
TO make annual reports TO the Governor +;
commission has power TO issue subp9nas
for any witnesses; wilful failure by roads
to furnish reports IL punishable by fines OF
from 800 TO 81, 900: ten days delay raises
presumption of wilfulness: commission is
required to promptly notify roads OF any
violation of law.
IMPROVEMENTS.
The commission is given power to require
such improvements in roads and stations
as shall promote the security, convenience,
and accommodation Of the public; failure
TO comply with chrequirements punisha,
BILE by fines of $50 20 $4,000; stations not
10 be abandoned or changed and new ones
located without consent of commission
RAILWAYS to be veauIred where practicable
TO provide separate and equal accommoda:
tions for blacks and whites on trains and
at passenger stations; all roads shall AFFORD
equal facilities for interchange OF trafhc,
and shall make IA close connection as is
practicable for the convenience OF the pub.
lie; charges for traekago TO be regulated
by the commission; power given commits
sion to protect livestock by having value
of same adjusted and forcing payment by
the companies therefor
REDUCED RATES.
Reduced rates allowed to be gwen min.
listers. inmates of soldiers homes ant
charitable institutions, and to United
States, State and municipal governments;
$4,000 annually appropriated for expense
OF commission, to cover additional clerica
services, attorneys fees, and other ex
penses; fiscal year to end June 30th, Il
correspond with interstate commerc'
act act TO 60 into effect April 1, 1891.