The Houston daily post. [volume] (Houston, Tex.) 1886-1903, 1899-04-18
TO REGULATE WHARF CHARGES
MIR. WIRELESS OF GALVESTON HAS
INTRODUCED A BILL.
empowers the RaiIrond Communication
to Investigate and to Fix Rcason-
able Rates.

Austin, Texas. April 17.--The following,
which is understood to aim at the Calves
ton Wharf company. was introduced in the
house today by Mr.. wheless:
Section /. That from and after the pas
sage of this act, and until otherwise pro-
vided by law, the railroad commission of
this State be and they are hereby au-
thorized and empowered to enquire Into
the freight, tolls, wharfage or fares levied
and collected by individuals, companies
OF corporations for the use OF highways,
landings, wharves, bridges and ferries de-
voted to public use, and to regulate and
fix the rate of freight, tolls, wharfage and
terminal charges to be made by any per-
son, company or corporation now engaged
in such business or which may be here
after formed or Incorporated for such
purposes. They shall have power to cor
rect abuses and prevent rebates, unjust
discrimination and eXtortion, in terminal
or wharf charges or tolls by any person,
company or corporation engaged in such
business, or which may be hereafter
formed or organized for such purposes,
and to enforce such rules regulations and
rates as they may fix and punish any
abuse or discrimination as aforesaid by
inhlicting penalties as hereinafter pre-
scrihed in any court having jurisdiction
They shall have power, and it shall be
their duty, from time to time. to alter
change, amend or abolish any ciassihca-
tlon of charges or rates deemed neces-
sary, and to hear and determine such mat
ters in the same manner as now pre-
scribed by law for fixing, changing and
altering rates of railroad companies in 50
far as the same may be applicable.
Sec 2. If any wharf or terminal COM
pany or its agent or officers shall here
after charge, collect, demand or receive
from any person, company or corporation
a greater rate, charge or compensation
than that fixed and established by the
railroad commission. offer or pay rebate,
or discriminate in making such charges,
such person, company or corporation,
and its said agent or officer shall be
deemed guilty of eXtortion and shall for
felt and pay to the State of Texas sum
not less than $1,000 nor more than $4,000.
Sec 8. 1t is hereby made the duty Of
said railroad commission to investigate
all complaints and to see that the pro-
visions of this act and all laws OF this
State concerning such matters are en-
forced and obeyed and that violations
thereof are promptly prosecuted and PEN
alties due the State therefor recovered and
collected. and said commission shall re-
port all such violations with facts in their
possession TO the attorney general Ot
other officer charged with the enforce
ment of the laws, and direct him to insti-
tute the proper proceeding and all suits
between the State and any such person,
company or corporation shall have prece-
dent in all courts over all other suits
pending therein.
Sec. 4, Any person, company or corpora
ton engaged in charging, levylng and
collecting freight, tolls, wharfage or fares
for the use of highways, landings, wharves,
bridges and ferries, devoted to public use,
shall on or before the LIST day of January
Of each year make to said commission a
full and complete schedule of such
charges. and account of all moneys col
lected therefor, and upon failure to do so
shall be subject to same penalties as pre-
scribed for rebating, discrimination or eX-
tortion,
Sec. 5, The fact of there not being any
statute in this State giving the railroad
commission powers herein stated, and that
wharf and terminal companies now en-
gagged in such business are fixing the rates
OF wharfage and terminal charges ire
spective of the public interests, creates
an emergency and an Imperative public
necessity requiring the suspension OF the
constitution rule recurring bills TO be read
on three several days and said rule Is
hereby suspended, and this act shall take
effect from and after its passage, and II
| is so enacted.