Abilene weekly reflector. [volume] (Abilene, Kan.) 1888-1935, 1894-12-13

Interstate Commerce Commission
Makes it, Annual Report.



no0p1to1 With Air Brakes and
Astsnatlc Couplers.
WARRINGTON. Dec. 8-The interstat,
commerce commission transmitted Ii
eighth annual report to congress yes
terdsy. The report says II Is the duty
Of shippers, railroad managers and
citizens generally to assist the govern.
ment In running down violations OF the
statute designed to protect their inter
estss II recommends that carrying
corporations be made indictable and
subject to fine for violations Of the act.
The report speaks OF the unreasonable
freight rates from Chicago and Cincin-
nsti TO southern points. Also Of the
unreasonable rates on wheat 1t re-
fers TO the failure OF many curriers' to
post their traffic as required by law
The commission explains the necessity
Of providing single classification OF
freights for the whole country, saying
that experience has shown the neces-
sity for congressional action, and sup
ports the belief that uniform classih-
cation depends upon the passage Of q
statute requiring Its accomplishment
The report states the railway service
which pertains to shipping billing and
the statement, collection and correc-
ton Of charges, especially as to the
traffic over connecting roads, Is con-
Quoted with much uncertainty, lack Of
system and regularity, so 1t jnstihes
charges Of gross carelessness and disre
gard Of the rights Of the shipping pub
lie. Carriers ought publish their tariff
rates and schedules plainly enough md
employ agents skilled enough to enabIc
them To correctly quote rates to ship
pers. The fact that carriers under
take. after the collection OF over
charges, to adjust the same, while
right and proper in itself, does not fur
nish IN excuse or justification for the
practice Of overcharging to the extent
TO which II Is carried on. The present
method Of adjusting claims Of this
character Is attended with such de.
lay md yexation 10 claimants that il
IL extremely unsatisfactory. resulting
in greut Injustice TO SINNERS and con.
xirnees.
i'ndcvharres also result In crave il.
Justice II II stated the proyision Of
inv relating 10 through routes and
through rites on account Of the limited
meaning which had been given 10 Il Nv
he courts Is prnctIcnlly jnonerati,r
md II /, strongly urged that tho lave
~ amended In order to rive effect tn
he in,rntion ~ concrcss IN rrspect n
bis matter
After lengthy review Of the mil.
and poolino bill the renort sovs. "W.
ub,nit for the consideration n con.
ress Tint poolinv without other rems.
i,l legislation il unadyisable. Pool.
10 under conditions IN be annroved bv
10 commission and rendered canahl.
easy and direct regulation with ne.
,mpan WING effective remedial legisla.
ON we b.lieve might safely be tried y
On the government ownership II rail.
md. IN. commission ref,oins fro, ,
xnressiny my oninion
Is IN tbe great str,ka ~, ,soi IN, ,
,mmlsslon states rs reasops for mn, ,
,terlny mon nm Investigation ~ Az |
atter i,bs CONTROVERSY incluIol
attars outs,da n, tha .,oumIss,,n,s
n IA urye1 N. conn,s
IN should have sxnress out,ori,v hy
.tute IN ,nyest,outs tho ncts ~ al
,rties in relntion IN such mnt,srs !
A.to the arauc,ol condition % ro,l I
80 ..t,u.na. i. n,n,a ., ma aan,,,.,,, 7
% .a,,,.,us n"s",.,,s Il
om tho oo,nmsro,aI donrass,om MI ,
no, .o,.as IN inna an .ha.' ,..a',, !
a roads H. .ha hands y, saoa,,a.a ,
In. A.. 1T, T. se''N'''
hhe WIG uh"ho'"i uoPresoioh nus occi
factor In bringing about emharrass.
ent Of railways, II Is believed that
any Of the receiverships were the