The times., 1899-10-08

through other cities at export rates for in
land delivery and by the operation of an
elevator system in Chicago which gave the
Chicago dealer rebate on all grain stored
Average grain may be shipped to the coast
for export at 13 cents per bushel. When
intended for inland consumption however,
the rate is advanced to Is or 10 cents. 1t
is no uncommon thing for the railroads to
transport grain from Chicago eastward un-
der an export invoice when ii was really in
tended for delivery at some point west of
the coast. In Chicago and elsewhere ele-
vators are conducted by the railroads and
leased to operators. Then, for every bushel
of grain shipped over the road to the COM
pany elevators the operator is allowed
rebate of or cents. American millers
are now practically out OF 1t at present.
All grain now intended for export is re-
duced by the foreign miller. This is SO,
notwithstanding that -four can be trans
ported almost as cheaply as grain
The Law Now PowerIess.
Mr.. Vanlandingham, continuing, said:
The Interstate Commerce Commission,
under the law as it now exists. and as in
terpreted by the courts, is poweriess to
remedy existing evils. Its lack of power is
so well known and it's orders so seldom
II.
most ceased to appeal to it for relief, first,
because it's orders are not obeyed, except
when railroads interested decide it is to
their interest to do so; second, because
delay in rendering a decision after cases
are heard, is generally so great that ship
pers either abandon their fight or compro-
mise with the railroads before decision is
secured.
'fThe act to regulate commerce should
be amended by Congress at the earliest
moment possible by making the findings
of the Commission enforcible at law, un-
less upon appeal to the courts they are
found TO be unlawful or unjust, and pend
ing decision by the courts on such appeal
the findings of the Commission should be
made effective by all the railroads inter-
ested, within thirty days after promulgated
by the Commission and continue in effect
until overrued by the courts or changed
by authority of the commission"
In suggesting amendments to the In1sAs
state Commerce law, Mr. Vanlandingham
said:
while the Commission shall not have
the authority to fix the rates or say what
rates shall be charged, they shall have
authority to order reduction in rates where
found to be exorbitant, and to determine
the relation of rates as between localities
and commodities. Second by enforcing
absolute publicity of all rates, rules, or
regulations, affecting transportation of
persons or property. If lower rates are
! made from or to the seaboard for export,
or OH import, than on domestic traffic such
rates, rules, and regulations to be pub
lished in same manner and under same
conditions as domestic traffic. Where
through rates and divisions are made on
foreign traffic, said rates and divisions to
be published in such manner as required
by the Interstate Commerce Commission.
by requiring railroads and other COM
mon carriers subject to the act to regulate
commerce. not only to file copies of tariffs
rules. and regulations with the Interstate
Commerce Commission, but also to furnish,
on request from boards of trade. ex-
changes, shippers freight bureaus, and
other commercial organizations, whose du-
ties are 10 look after transportation ques-
tions for their respective cities and COM
munities
Railroad Rates.
by prohibiting railroads from making
or accepting lower rates or lower proper
ton of rates on grain to the seaboard for
export than they at the same time accept
on flour or grain products to the seaboard
for export. By repeal OF the imprisonment