The western sentinel. [volume] (Winston-Salem, N.C.) 1887-1926, 1891-02-26
THE RAILROAD COMMISSION
ELL


| it passed the Legislature: =
Sec. 1 provides for the election
| of three commissioners by the
tGeneral Assembly. The term of
Office is six years but the terms
+! OF the first commissioners elected
shall be, one for two years, one
for four and one for six. They
are prohibited from being inter
ested in any way in any steam-
| boat, railroad or other trans
portation company, or from be-
ing agent, attorney or empioye
of such company.
Sec. 2, fixes the salary of the
commissioners at $4,000 per an
mum; their office shall be kept in
Raleigh,
Sec. 3 prohibits any railroad
charging ranre than a reasona-
BILE rate Of toll for transporting
passengers or freight, which is
deemed extortion, subjecting the
company on conviction, to fine
of not less than $500 nor more
than $4,000.
Sec. 4 makes it unlawful by
l
rebate or other device by COM
mon carrier to evade the act in
reference to charges, or to make
inducement Or unreasonable pre-
ference topersons Interpretations
and upon conviction therof,
shall be fined not less than 81 900
nor more than s., 900.
See. 5 requires the commits
sioners to make just and reason
able rates for freight and for
passengers, having Il due regard
as far as practicable for the
| capital invested, cost Of opera
ton, earnings, and competition
of rival lines of transportation,
to make just and reasonable
rules as to charges for receiving,
handling and delivery of freight,
to prevent unjust discrimination
in the transportation of freight,
and passengers, to make just
rates for the use of cars, anl
rules against the paying OF re
ceiving of any rebate or bonus
directly orindirectly or deceiying
the public in any manner as to
the real rates charged.
| Sc. 6. forbids charging higher
rates for short hauls than long hauls
within the State over the same lines
and iii the same direction, but in
specials cases upon application to the
commission and satisfactory reasons
given this may be done; but the rail
roads may make lower rates for long
hauls on freight which comes from
or goes beyond the borders. of the
State. In the event of any unjust
discrimination, on complaint, the
commissioners shall investigate, and
if they deem the complaint well
founded lay the matter before the
Inter State Commerce Commission
for redress under the provisions of
the Interstate Commerce Act.
Railroads may make conformity
with others special rates for the de-.
velopment of manufacturing, mill
ing, and mining and internal i'm
provements in the State, and also
SPECIAL rates for excursion and other
parties.
Sec. Z provides that the rates FIX
Ell by the commissioners or by the
railroads and approved by them
shall in the event Of suit be deemed
prima facia evidence in the courts as
to the rates Which should be cl.arg-
ed. Companies are required to post
rate hednlcs in some conspicuous
| place. Companies haze the right to
appeal to the Superior court from
the rates by the commissioners, and
-tl,crce to the supreme court. if
within ten days after the fixing of
such rates the company objects, and
the commissioners refuse to change
the rate after exceptions have been
made and grounds given, when
both sides may be heard by The SUI
| perior court, from which either may
appeal tosthe Supreme court, such
cases having precedence on the civil
docket of the Supreme court over,
other cases.
Sec. 8 makes it the duty of the
centuries toner's to investigate the
books of railroad companies in the
State to ascertainsif the railroad reg
ulations have been complied with,
aud may examine officers, agents and
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