The herald., 1898-03-19
IN COMMITTEE
Interstate Commerce Law Is in Need
of Revision

4uC6ISLdtc SOnuOAS0 A$S W - 49, ~ wv
of Revision
WASHINGTON, March 18.-The senate
committee on interstate commerce today
resumed its hearing on the Cullom bill
amending the present interstate commerce
law. Judge M. A. Knapp of the interstate
commerce committee appeared to speak In
favor of the proposed bill. He said the sit
uation, so far as the present law was con-
cerned, had resolved itself into this, that
the original machinery-the present law
crude and ineffective in some respects,
has practically broken down. The proposed
bill is to provide new machinery, by which
the principles involved in the original law
may be made effective.
Judge Knapp explained that the courts
had seriously affected the law by their de-
cisions.
Senator Tillman inquired what reason
there was for believing that the courts
would not define away the proposed bill, as
they had the present law.
Judge Knapp replied that 1T was impos-
sible to foretell what the courts might do.
1.-THE best we can do" said he, lis to care
fully and thoughtfully legslate on this
subject
"It does not seem," said Mr. Tillman,
"that plain English alone is sufficient as
applied to railroads.
'Or as applied to section % of the tariff
law" interjected Senator Elkins.
Continuing his statement, Judge Knapp
said that section of the present law had,
in it's operation, been seriously crippled by
the decisions of the court. The proposed
substitute for that section, he said, is prac-
tically the British law and has received
the approval of the commission, after the
most careful thought.
"As it is proposed said Judge. Knapp,
"the section will be in entire harmony with
the measure as whole, which confers
the right upon carriers to establish rates
that are higher for short than for longer
distances"
One provision of the proposed bill, Judge
Knapp explained, made it imperative upon
railroads to publish their freight and pas
senger tariffs In that respect he deemed
the existing law faulty. Another important
amendment to the existing law, Judge
Knapp believed. was that which read: "No
change shall be made in the schedule of
rates, fares and charges filed and published
as aforesaid, unless the carrier files with
the commission a statement of such
changes and posts new schedules as here
inbefore provided, or plainly indicates such
changes upon those already posted, al
least 60 days before the going into effect of
such changes"
Judge Knapp explained at length some
of the provisions of the proposed bill. de.
scribing the technical differences between
them and those of the existing law. He
had not concluded when the committee
=. adjourned.
INAUGURATION DAY
WASHINGTON. March 1S.-The senate
committee on privileges and elections toda,
authorized a favorable report on the
amendment to the constitution of the
United States introduced by Senator Hoar
changing the time of the year for the ex
piration of the terms of the president. vice
president, senators and representatives il
congress from March 4th until the las
Wednesday in April.
The change is made to take effect ii
1901, and If the amendment should be ac
cepted by congress and be ratified by {
sufftcient number Of states, 1t would hav,