The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1897-05-11
HARRIS RAILROAD BILL.
The Kansas Senator Proposes a Spe-
cial Court for Transportation
Matters

Washington, D. c., May 11.-Senator
Harris of Kansas has introduced a bill
intended to supplant the Foraker pool
ing bill and to solve the problem Of
regulating common carriers and trans
pOrtatiOn rates.
1t is 50 framed as to cover all the
questions which have proved 50 trou-
blesome in the past. The fact that the
supreme court declined to reopen the
TransmissOuri Freight association case
makes of much greater Importance the
measure introduced by Senator Harris
Many of the railroad attorneys through
out the country are here and they are
watching the Harris bill with much in
terest.
Section / of the bill provides that a
new tribunal be established. The now
existing interstate commerce commits
sion shall be merged in and superseded
by a new tribunal, which shall be a
court of record under the name of
court of railway commissioners, which
shall have exclusive jurisdiction of all
matters arising under the provisions of
this act, so far as these matters relate
to railroads and railway companies. It
shall also have concurrent jurisdiction
in all matters of negligence relating to
persons or property with other courts
OF the United States; and concurrent
jurisdiction with the courts OF admir-
atty as to water routes, which form
parts of commercial routes with any
railroad lines. 1t shall have all neces-
sary law and equity jurisdiction; it
shall have criminal as well as civil jur-
isdiction as to all matters included in
the purview of this act. Provided, that
so far as applicable, all the provisions
of this act shall be construed to ap-
ply to express companies and all other
transportation companies.
Section ,. The Judges of the court of
railway commissioners shall be seven in
number, including the present inter
state commerce commissioners, with
two others added, all of whom are to
be appointed by the president, by and
with the advice and consent of the sen
ate, for a term of Office of seven years
from the time of such appointment and
confirmation.
1t shall be the duty of the said judges
in organizing such court to divide as
equally as possible the United states
into seven judicial districts, eacn con-
tanning certain designated states ana
territories; to each of these shall be as
signed a judge to preside therein dur
ing his term; provided, however, that
the court in banc may at discretion
make a new assignment of the judges
of the districts At the time of es
tablishing such districts the judges
shall specify the place within each dis
trict where the court is to be held And
at each place thus designated deputy
clerk shall be appointed by the judge
assigned to the district. Such court shall
be considered as continually open for
business, but subject to the necessary
attendance of the judge at the court IN
banc at Washington. The jurisdiction
of each district court shall be pIenafy
in all things herein defined.
All matters arising in any judicial dis
t7-ict prescribed herein relating tQsfixlng
the rates of fares or freight classified
ton. and arrangements between rail
road companies and such like shall be
certified by the judge, with all papers
relating thereto, to the court in banc at
Washington for its final decision Also
questions of unjust Determinations and
questions of compliance with or disc
bedience of the requirements of the
court in banc or general court. as to
rates and agreements. shall be thus Ger
titled for the joint action OF all the
iudges All other matters may be fl
nalIy determined by the presiding judge
in the district court.
The salaries of the judges are to be
the same as now paid to the members
of the interstate commerce commission.
The clerk of the court in bancSs to re
ceive $4,000 a. year and the district
clerks 81. 500. For the expense of organ
izing the tribunal 100000 or so much
thereof as may be necessary, is set
apart.