Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1892-12-21
Istsr State Commerce.

The sixth annual report OF the inter
state commerce Commission was presented
TO Congress yesterday. aud Is document
idea Of the magnitude Of the work per-
formed by this commission may be obtained
when il IL stated that during the past yesr
over Is, 900 letters were sent out and more
than 10 900 were received nearly 10000
annual and statistical reports and pamphlet
decisions we're distributed, and more than
1915 900 tariff. were filed, making the total
number Of tariff schedules nov on file with
the commission about $50, 900.
Many cases have come before the com
mission for investigation and settlement,
the cases in the main being complaints
which arise from determinations and
preferences in freight rates and facilities
unreasonable In themselves. In cases
affecting rates on all classes of Western
traffic To Boston. very material reductions
were effected by the commissions order
and Boston rates were required to be per
centage Of New York rates, instead Of be-
in. arrived at By fixed and often unjust
opinions given by the commission reviews
the operation of the long and short haul
clause, constructs that provision on the line
OF previous decisions by the courts and the
commission, holds that neither competition
of carriers subject to the act nor market com
petition justifes higher short haul charges,
and directs carriers to apply to the commits
sion for relief in certain cases. The giving
Of lower long haul rates TO trade centres
and so-ealied basing points is criticised and
condemned The law by which the com
mission exists has rought about many
changes in the equalization of rates and
removal Of determinations, and statistics
are given to show that material reductions
have token place in freight and passenger
rates from year To year.
The decision of the court in the southern
district of Illinois, in a case on indictment
for transporting Hour from Litchfeld, Ill. i.
" Montreal at less than tariff rates, that
Congress has no jurisdiction over rates for
the whole distance, only over the transport
tation ia this country is commented
upon and the embarrassment caused by
this ruling is stated. Three convictions for
false weighing have been had in the west
Is
dauts are to be sentenced some time this
month. In Chicago an acquittal in one
case and withdrawal of other indictments
was caused by inability of the government
to produce proofs of the violations alleged.
The witnesses examined virtually admitted
the violations by refusing TO testify on the
ground that their answers might tend to
criminate them. but under the counsel
man decision they could not he compelled
to testify.
Under the law creating the commission
il is given power of visitation similar to
that which is exercised over insurance COM
panies. banks and similar corporation-,
without notice or warning. and one of the
leading purposes of that power is, by the
constant fear of detection, to prevent per
version of corporate franchises the right
of the commission to call for and inspect
the books of carriers and examine witnesses
j. believed to he clearly snstainahle.
After receiving the various deci-
sions and opinions of the commits
sion explaining the pending amend
ments TO the bill under which it is
attempt to secure the public from dserim-
inatiou. extortion, fayoritism. undue prefer
cnce and undue prejudice. and to secure to
every citizen just and reasonable rates and
equal and exact treatment in all transpor
tation matters. is the very essence, spirit,
and purpose of the law, and it would be
vain to protect carriers from competitive
attacks upon each other, if the general
public cannot be protected from the
greater evils above enumerated. This
in the action contemplated by certain
amendments to the Law now before Con-
gsess, which it is believed will be passed at
the present session Of Congress. There is
practical unanimity among all classes of
men in favor of preventing unlawful dis
examinations in rate charges AMI maintain
ing reasonable rates of transportation for
passengers anil freight, which il is believed
the commission is carrying out.