Kansas City journal. [volume] (Kansas City, Mo.) 1897-1928, 1897-02-25
FREIGHT RATE BILL.


unreasonable charge for services Is pro-
hihfted and declared to be unlawful. Sec
tion 5 prohibits discrimination in favor of
localities, and section prohibits diserim-
jnatiOn among persons or corporations.
Section provides that 1t shall be unlaw-
full for any common carrier subject to the
provisions of this act to charge or receive
any greater compensation in the aggre-
gate for the transportation of passengers
or of a like kind of property for a shorter
than for a longer distance over It's rail-,
road. all or any portion of a shorter haul
being included within the longer. And said
common carrier shall charge no more for
on its railroad than fair and just rate
as compared with the price 1t charges for
the same kind of freight transportation to
Section says: "It shall be unlawful
for any common carrier subject to the
provisions of this act to enter into any
contract, agreement or continuation Win m
any other common carrier. or carries. for
the pooling Of freight of different and COM
peting railroads, or divide between them
the aggregate or net proceeds OF the earn
ings of such railroads, or any portion
thereof and in case of an agreement Tor
the pooling of freights. as aforesaid. each
day of its continuance shall pc deemed a
All railroads under the provisions of sec
tior. are compelled to keep for public In
srection schedules showing the rates and
charges for freight and passenger traffic.
1t is provided in section 1C that in case
any common carrier. subject to the provis-
ions of this act, shall do. cause to be done
or permit to be done, any act, matter or
thing in this act prohibited or declared to
be unlawful. or shall omit to do any act.
matter or thing in this act required to be
done. such common carrier shall be liable
to the person or persons injured thereby,
for three times the amount of damages sus- s.
tanned in consequence Of any such violation
of the provisions of this act
Sections II, 13, A. Is and 10 provide Tor the
manner in which complaints shall be made
for Determinations and the way trials shall
be held.
In case the roads refuse 20 abide by the
decision of the railroad commissioners. pro-
vision is made for compelling compnance
in the courts. The burden of proof shall
not be held to be upon the person or per-
missioners shall add to the showing made
at such hearing whatever information they
may then have. or can secure from any
complaining shall be entitled to introduce
any published schedules Of rates OF any
railroad company.
Section 80 provides that 1t shall be the
duty of the board of railroad commissioners
to investigate all interstate rates which In
any manner affect the Industries or prod
ucts of the state of Kansas and whenever
1t is ascertained that such rates in any
manner discriminate against the industries
COR products of the state of Kansas, in favor
of similar industries or products OF other
states. it shall be the duty of the board to
institrte proceedings before the interstate
commerce commission for the correction of
such DETERMINATIONS, ana II shah De tne
duty of the attorney general to prosecute
such complaint before the interstate COM
merce commission, and whenever it is
deemed necessary said attorney general.
with the approval of the governor. may
employ additional counsel to assist in the
proecution of such proceedings.
In case the railroads are dissatisfied with
any decision of the railroad commission
they can go into the district court and
maintain action the same as in any other
civil cause Tho attorney general ghall
represent the hoard In all litigation.
The house VIII take up railroad bills to-