The Austin weekly statesman. (Austin, Tex.) 1883-1898, 1896-12-24
INTERSTATE COMMERCE..
Tenth Annual Report of the Commits,
sion Sent to Congress.

Washington, Dec. 17.-Decisions rem
dered during the year by federal courts
involving features of the act to regulate
commerce are assigned prominent place
in the tenth annual report of the inter
state commerce commission, sent to con-
gress today. During the year the su-
preme court has rendered three decisions
of special Importance. In one case the
law has been upheld. but the outcome
of the others has either emphasized the
defects of the statutes or left its further
Interpretation so uncertain as to increase
the difficulties of efficient administration.
The cases were, first, the port rate, In
volving the question of differences in
charge between like service as between
foreign and domestic cases; second, the
social circle case, involving the long and
short haul clause of the act and third,
the Brown case, concerning the right of
q person to refuse to testify on the
ground that it might criminate himself.
A statement of civil cases pending in
the courts" shows twenty-five cases to
enforce regular orders of the commission
and siXty-four mandamus proceedings to
compel carriers to file annual reports with
the commission. Forty-five cases calling
for investigation of 500 carriers have.
been placed on the docket of formal pro
ceedings during the year. The general
discomfort with present transportation
conditions, the report says as shown by
petitions from so many sections for the
enforcement of the statute, emphasizes
the necessity of amending the laws so
as to give greater force and finality to
the findings and decisions of the com
mission.
Considerable space is given to the sub
ject of investigation by the commission
OF grain rates, but as the question in
yolved in the inquiry is now under con-
sideration by the commission, no opinion
is expressed at this time
In April last the commission requested
the carriers to show how far up to April
their equipment had been made to CON
form to the requirements of the safety
appliance act, relating to couplers and
train brakes, which became effective Jan
uary l. 1896.
Replies were received from 1890 COM
panies; 800 per cent of the 65, 1893 loco
motives mentioned in these replies have
driving wheel brakes.
The percentage of automatic brakes
has not been arrived at.
AS to ticket brokers', the report says:
This association has become a posi-
tive scandal; decisive measures should
be taken to put an end to these illegal
Transactions
OF passengers the report says that the
practice of giving passes or reduced pas
senger rates to shippers or their employees
and OF issuing complimentary" passes to
persons on account of the profession in
Which they are engaged or the public
duties they perform is strongly con-
demned. The subject is submitted to
congress with the recommendation that
suitable prohibitory legislation be en-
A number of amendments to the law
are recommended, and they, the com
mission says, are intended to make the
substance of the law mean what If was
supposed to mean at the time of its pas
sage.
GENILE HINT TO CONGRESS.
washington, Dec. 1.-THE Post to-
morrow will say:
=, The secretary of state has cautioned
the members of the committee on foreign
relations to go slowly in regard to the
OuDan question. The secretary of state
urgently recommends that all action be
postponed in congress until the end of
!he present campaign, when, if the Span
lards are not successful, he believes. aa
recommended in the presidents mes
sage. that some form of practical inter
Ventlon should be applied to the case.
CREVASSE CONSIDERED.
=, Washington, Dec. 1.-THE meeting of
tne senate committee on commerce today
was devoted to hearing a delegation of
ABOUT fifty members of the Mississippi
valley congress on the Importance of
securing the repair of the crevasse at
Pointe POutre at the southwest pass of
the mississippi river. The delegation in
Guided representatives from New Or
leans, st. Louis, Memphis, Cincinnati,
Pittsburg. Sioux City and othe places, all
OF whom dwelt upon the work as of vast
Importance to their respective sections of
the country. The hearing will be CON
tinued next Monday.
CANADA QUARANTINE.
Washington, Dec. 17.-Hop. Sidney
Fisher of Ottawa and Secretary Morton,
after full conference over the present
cattle quarantine laws between the
United States and Canada have reached
general basis of agreement and the
proper officers of each country will en-
deavor. to frame mutually satisfactory
regulations whereby the long detentisu Of
cattle In ShiDment will no avoided