New-York tribune., 1892-01-06
A REPORT on INTERSTATE COMMERCE..

THE COMM SsION REVIEWS THE WORKING OF
THE LAW AND RECOMMENDS AMENDMENr-.
Wayhlr gon. Jan. 5.-rhe fifth annual report OF tho
! Interstate Commerce Commission was Transmitted TO
Congress to-day II Is signed by Commissioners Nor
rison, VeaZcy and Knapp. The report opens with
general review OF the work Of the Commission during
the year. On the question OF relaration for damages
attention Is called to certain decisions that whore the
Commission la, been asked to consider a claim for
damages that question cannot subsequently, be mnde
the basis Of suit I'm court. Since the announcement
OF these decisions the Commission has considered and
passed upon that question whenever the issues and
| the evidence required It.
There Is said to have been a marked improvement
during the past year I'm the disposition OF carriers
toward compliance with the law. lnfracuons OF IT.
provisions less frequent respects unjust dis
ordinations, unreasonable advantages favotng par
dcuar persons places kinds OF business; but As
regards the duty OF establishing and publishing rates
and charges little progress has been mnde. llusra
tions are given OF devices to reduce rates without
previous publication.
Thoug'l required 10 execute and enforce the pro-
visions Of the act. c Comms ion. rot being Invested
with power to enforce lis orders is dependent
fer the efficiency Of such execution nnd enforcement
| upon the courts. The Commission accordingly In
stitIed a number oi suits which are now pending
for the enforcement Of orders heretofore nWde by IT,
Tho methods OF securing obedience TO the law are
by criminal proceedings to enforce the orders OF the
Commission II has been held In one Of the United
states Circuit Courts that the law now stands
railroad company cannot be crminay proceeded
against for infracHon of is provisions, and con
sequenty agents and officers only liable to Its
penalties A mode OF proceeding before the Commis
sion and IN the courts to enforce the Commissions :
orders IS recommended. leading feature Of which IS
that the hearing In court rs 10 all matters not re-
curing jury trals, shall be confined TO tho record OF
proceedings had before The Commission and TO such
errors In the record shall De specifically pointed ont
by parties alleging error therein
Under the head o: Uniform Classification Is ro-
viewed in sone detail the action OF the carriers this
subject since the enactment OF the Interstate Commerce
law. II shown by the deliberate statements OF
experts IN the employment OF the carriers that much
approach 10 uniformity than now exists Is prac-
cable without danger o. serious detriment to the in
terests involved.
The rower Of Congress carriers whose lines are
confined within the lines of state limits but who never
thcess participate In interstate commerce. are exam
inct and the conclusion is arrived at that Congress
may undoubtedly exercise it's egulative powers upon
such cagncrs
The ncgotiabuty Of bills OF ladng the conclusive
ness a. against the carrier OF statements and ectas
In these instruments receives attention, and II Is shown
that this question has been differently decided by differ
cnt courts under the state Of facts. The pro
posed uniform bill lading and the objections OF the
shipping interests thereto discussed and some OF It's
features especially the provision that property taken
At carriers rish shall be rated one class higher than II
taken at owners risk. dsapproved. The objection
IS not to madng an increased charge for a greater
isl but 10 the principle OF determining what the In
crcase should be.
In conclusion. tho Commission calls attention 10
various anne ndmcnts 10 the law heretofore recoInmenued
and specifically recommends now: FrSi-rhat some
ume be fixed within which carriers shall De required TO
adopt uniform classification ot frcight', second-Iha
the section Of the act shall be 50 AMENDED tha
corporations a. well their employees and agents shall
be indIo table tild-hmend the sections OF tho act In
relation 10 procedure.