The Worthington advance. [volume] (Worthington, Minn.) 1874-1908, 1896-12-24
. INTERSTATE COMMERCE.
Commission Makes Ito Tenth Annual Re-

I Washington. Dec. lS.-The tenth annual
report of the interstate commerce COM
mission, made public Thursday, speaks
Of three decisions rendered by the supreme
court Of the United States during the year
In one case at least the law. says the re-
port. has been upheld and fortified in
most important particular. but the out
come of the others has either emphasized
tho detects Of tho statute or left its fur
Their Interpretation 80 doubtful and un-
efficient administration: The most far
reaching Of these decisions was announced
in March last in the case of fhe Texas &
Pacific Railroad company vs.! interstate
commerce commission. originally decided
by the commission in January, 1891. and
case"
This proceeding was brought by the
New York board Of trade and transporta-
ton against the Pennsylvania Railroad
company and others. The case practica.-
~ raised the general question whether III
the carriage Of goods from American sea
ports carriers subject to the act should
lawfully charge less for the transporta.
ton Of import than Of domestic traffic Of
like kind to the same destination. The
commission held that any difference in
charge for like service as between foreign
AJ4O OOuSSIlC SIdMC "A6 uu4d"ANls
The supreme court by divided opinion
reversed this opinion and the commission
remark that the construction of the act
thus adopted opens the door to manifold
abuses from which there is little protec-
ton and for which there is little redress
under the law as now in force. They urge
the necessity of amendatory legislation.
Another important case cited is The
Brown case.' which involved the RICH:
of. the commission TO compel witnesses 60
testify.
A full synopsis Of this important de-
ctsion is set forth in the report. and the
commission says:
This decision seems to have effectually
removed the embarrassments hitherto
encountered in obtaining the testimony OF
unwilling witnesses in penal cases and I'm
der it and the ruling of the supreme court IN
now experienced in securing the attendance
and testimony Of such witnesses In pro.
ceedings before the commission"
Prior to this decision 1t was impractic-
able in most cases to secure conviction,
but now. when any party to criminal
against his fellow Wrongdoers and Is I'M
der lnducement TODD 80 because Of result
ing immunity to himself. there seems to
be no special difficulty in convicting trans
gressors under this statute. and the prOposi
ton to abolish punishment by imprison-
lUcuIs AS uO" QAOtA0SA 4SE Ia ANS 10"s -
opposed by the commission.
The practice OF the commission to in :
vcstgate grievances stated in letters from
shippers or consignees continues to
operate successfully.
An investigation Of Irregular practices
ana rate making methods of carriers ~
grain from points on the Missouri river to
eastern destinations held during the year
developed system of arriving at charges
less than those specified In published tar
IFS known as the expense bill" system, or
carrying at the balance of the through
rate" and otherwise called protecting
the through rate" Under this practice
grain brought from producing points to
the Missouri river upon which local ra ties
have been paid was afterwards re-shipped
to Mississippi river points. Chicago ana
other points at the difference between the
through rate from the original point OF
shipment and the local rate to the Mis-
souri, river. This difference or balance was
always less than the established rate for
like service from Kansas City and othe:
Missouri points to tho eastern destination
As the questions involved in the inquiry
are now under consideration by the CON-
mission; no opinion is expressed at this
time on the methods and practices dis
closed by the investigation. The practice
Of ticket brokerage Is referred to and of 1t IS
said:
This lllegitimate traffic has become u
positive scandal. The commission recon-
Iaends that it be made q penal offense for
any person to engage in the business OF
selling interstate passenger tickets. unless
duly constituted such by written appoint
ment."
Free passes are also denounced.
The report closes by recommending q
number OF technical amendments to the
interstate commerce law.