The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1892-12-28
INrER.srArE COMMERCE LAW.
The Senate Conmtttee at Work o. the Pre-
posed Amendments

WASHINGTON. Dec. oT.-Mr Culiom. Chair.
man OF the Senate Committee on Interstate
Commerce. is devoting great deal Of time to
the consideration ofthe proposed anendme nts
to the Interstate Commerce law that have
been introduced 10 the Senate this session.
Immediately after the reassemo bling Of Con-
gress he will call the committee together and
urge the consideration OF the measures that
have been proposed. many o: which are in
tended to vttalIzs and add strength to the law.
upon which heavy inroads have been n AIDE by
recent Federal court decisions
These bills will Be reported to the Senate
at the earliest practicable day" said Mr.. Cul.
lon this morning. and l intend to insist
upon their Consideration py the Senate. Tho
n easures proposed are OF great importance.
and conteup plate some very material changes
in the existing statute. The general law is to
be amended so as to protect witnesses in order
that they NAV be compelled to testify The
old statute OF 1888. under which the law now
operates has beea held to he not broad
enough. and for /. must be substituted an
Amendment to the Interstate Commerce law
that will give absolute protection to the wit
ness In the matter OF eliminating testimony.
The law should be amended in the interest Of
other prosecutions.
The decision o. judge Gresh am Is to the es-
feet that the FEDERAL courts Of the country
cannot u required undAr tho Cons.i. utiou TO
at as aids 70 an admtntstrative body in the
c!son indicates that law would be conssitu.
iohal which provides penalty for refusing
Atty could BE- prosecuted in a Federal court.
The proper remedy thus suggested in the de-
cisioa OF JGtss GRESHAM can ts supplied IN
decision made by Judge Brewer has been
takenup " other courts and n ate the basis
Tor decisl Ions shat are apparently not in ha.
iueny with the original opinion. but which
VII! oe h. .I 10 &c Law unit! reversed. The de-
c!-ton re;eEret TO tefEes what l. railroad
mi r., .: Wat 30 1rises line. and has mara
long aod short haul clause.
Another oil. The railroads. are interested
sEerfm ent known "a the bill to permit pool.
ing. It IS not properly speaking. such meas
ure. bug IS intsntst 70 give railroads authority
for the division Of freight. subject to the ar
rrova! or tisarproval q the Inter State Com
passed n 1885. had q provision Authorizing
the irnmlss ion TO investigate the question
whether r2olinE was advisable and report to
congress. hen the measure "aule before the
con:t-reej the House conterrees insisted upon
the elimination Of that clause. and Mr.. Regain
the port unless the clause was taken out.
n6ttss rseea;iy hat ii. Eea a has e1 ps
Tor hear h- Is out in a lAttec IN which he
favors the granting Of authority TO competing
slI.Je"s TO approva! ~ ;hs Commission
pooling amen tmenc or not. bu. the inference is
f,,s IS not 1 init on X. am.nine1t. Tor there
are some IN er-ters VINO believe that u would
he good thing and would mitigate much ot
the aEll row EXISTING. or. at least. ella N e3 by
the railroads to exist. in the matter % frnight
rates; and would be q sure remedy f9r, that
u some Of the trunk lines IN favor o, the large
and against the small shipper.