New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1896-12-18
TVTEPSTATE COMMERCE.
TENTH ANNUAL REPORT OF THE COM
MISSION

MISSION.
Washington. Dec. 1.-THE tenth annua' repo', %
,ha Interstate Commerce Commission, maze puoiic
to.day speaks OF three decisions rendered u! '"'
Supreme Court OF the United states III 'nc s'"'
a. snecal importance TO the Commission IN one
49, ., least the law has been upheld and forti1ed
n ,,os, inoortant particular. but the outcome OF
the others has either emphasized the deects o. 'h
statute or left It's further Interpretation 50 uouD'
ful and uncertain to increase the difhcui,ies o.
efficient administration. The most iar-reachlhs u
these decisions was announced In March last III
the case OF the Texas and PACING Raii"ay
rornanv against the Interstate Commerce com
mission originally decided by the Commission IN
January 1891 and commonly known as the import
rate case" Ths proceeding was brought oy t'c
New-York Board o. Trade ana lfahSpo''"''on
.ya,,e, tho PENNSYLVANIA RAILROAD Company ana
o,bers The case practically raised the general
question whether in the carriage OF soodS IRON,
iner,can seanorts carriers subject to the act could
lawfully charge less for the transportation % I'M
ports than OF domestic trafiic OF IKE KIM u '''
came destination. The Commission hcld 'ha' any
difference in charge for like service as between
foreign and domestic traffic was unlawful. Inc
Supreme Court by divided OPINION reverse" '''''
decision.
Tho next case referred to is the Social Circle
case" which arose on complaint OF him OF puss!
manufacturers in Cincinnati against the Cihch-
nau New-OrIeans and Texas Pacific Western and
a violation OF the long and short haul clause. III
this case as in the import rate case the iuHest
power 20 enforce the provisions o. the act Is con-
ceded TO the Commission
The third important case cited Is inc brown
case" which involved the right OF the Commission
TO conpel witnesses TO testify. fun synopsis Oh
this decision is set forth In the report. ana the
Commission saws: This decision seems TO nave
efectuslly removed the embarrassments hitherto
encountered in obtaining the testimony OF uh-
willing witnesses in penal cases ana under IL ana
the ruling OF the Supreme Court in 1894 in the brim-
son case little difficulty Is now experienced IN Sc
curing the attendance and testimony OF such wilt
nesses I'm proceedings before the Commission; .
An Investigation OF irregular practices ana rate
making ncihods Of carriers OF gram ON P n"ia
the Missouri River to Eastern deSlihal!Vns no
during the year developed system Oh az .nS ~
charges les ban those specified In published farms
known as he Expense bill" system or carrying d.
the balance OF the through rate, ana Oth'i VS.
called protecting the through rae ~ fi.Ino
involved I'm me inaulrv are now under cohsiueiaio
BY the Commission. no opinion Is eA I,iosnd hy
time on the met hods and practices discios'u W
the Investigation The practice OF tcket,p'
Is referred to. and !, Is said that tn3 NJ, I'm
traffic has become "A positive scandal iH' 20
mission recommends that X be fldu' a p,,'" ~
fence for any nerson engage III inc pus1H's" ",
sailing interstate pa sscnger tickets unIess u. -
authorized agent Of the carrier, nuN Coiin'' 90
such by written appointment. free passes "''
also denounced. A., q nu,,her
OF technical amendments to the 'h'e'"'"'e N'''