Rock Island Argus., 1897-03-31
FORAKER'S PLAN
To Solve the Great Railway Regu-
Iation Problem.
BILL TO PERMIT Rate COMBINES

Agreement Must BE Submitted to the In
Dictums Are Renewable by the Courts
Salient Points of the Mcasure-vote on
Tariff at Hand and But One-E Eighth of
the Bill Considered in the House.
Washington. March Ex-senator For
aker of Ohio yesterday introduced a pool
Ing bill. 1t is practically a reproduc-
tion OF the Patterson bill introduced in
the last congress. 1t is intended to meet
the objections to pooling which were
raised by the supreme court of the Uni
ted States in its decision recently rem
dered in the Trans-Missouri Freight as
sociaticn case. The document Is quite
voluminous. covering over thirty printed
pages. The first section amends the in
terstate commerce act so as to render it
lawful for railroad associations to enter
into pools under the following condi-
tions:
Commission Has q Veto.
Every contract agreement or ar
raDgement shall be in writing and filed
with a commission created by this act
and shall become lawful and forcible
between the parties thereto at the ex-
piration Of twenty days from the filing
thereof, unless the commission shall in
the meantime and upon such investiga-
tion and consideration as 1t may deem
proper, make an order disappearing of
the same; and II shall be the duty of
the commission to make such order of
disapproval whenever upon such in
vestigation and consideration 1t shall
be Of the opinion that the operation of
any such contract by reason of its pro-
visions. or for want OF necessary re-
strictions ard limitations, would result
In unreasonable rates, unjust discrimi-
nation. insufficient service to the public
or otherwise contravene any of the pro-
visions of this act"
Can Require Notifications.
II Is also made the duty of the COM
mission to observe the workings of such
contracts or agreements as affect the
transportation business Of the country
and to investigate all complaints relat-
ing to rates or facilities afforded by
pooling associations and whenever the
commission, after due notice, shall find
that any such rates, facilities or prac-
tices are excessive or unreasonable. or
result in any unjust discrimination as
between individuals, localities or arti-
cles of traffic, or are otherwise in con-
travention Of any of the provisions of
this act. the commission shall issue an
order requiring such rates. charges. etc.
maintained by or under such contract
to be changed. modified or corrected"
Final Decision in the Courts.
The authority of the commission goes
to the extent Of allowing 1t to disap-
prove Of the contract itself. and requir-
ing II to be terminated at a time men,
toned. which time. it is provided, shall
not he less than thirty days. The effect
of this order. 1t is specifically stated.
would render the cotnract unlawful and
non-enforcible; but it is provided that
the orders and findings OF the commits
sion in such cases shall be subject to re-
view by the United States circuit courts
upon petition. The bill further provides
that in such cases the court shall act
speedily IN determining questions of
this character. and that 1t shall make
such order or decree as may be just and
equitable in determining whether the
contract shall be enforcible. notwith-
standing the disapproval by the COM
mission. further appeal is allowed by
any of the parties to the supreme court
| of the United States.