The times., 1899-12-11
A FREAK OF LEGISLATION
By Request Senator Pettigrew In
trOduceS Remarkable Bill.
II Proposes TO Give the Railways of
the Country over to Federal Con-
ing, and Freight Service Are Fixed
Other Odd Features Set Forth.

Congress is never without what is termed
freak legislation" before IT, Thus early
in the present session several bills which
unquestionably come within the range of
this designation have been introduced with
impressive dignity and referred to com
mittees, where they will undoubtedly slum-
ber until killed by the expiration of the
Congress.
Perhaps the most sweeping and radical
measure of reform, and one which, in
the most bland and matter -of-fact manner,
proceeds to reyolutionize the entire trans
portation business of the country, is a bill
introduced in the Senate by Senator Petit
grew of South Dakota. by request"
This bill starts out by consolidating the
Interstate Commerce Commission and the
Postoffice Department. The department,
thus augmented, is required 10 extend its
control so as to embrace the entire busi-
ness of transportation "of persons. of bag
gage, of parcels, and of general freight
For Jhis purpose the Postoffice Department
is directed to secure the control and man
agement OF such railroads as are now car
rying United States mails and are, there
fore. post roads"
This control is 10 be gained either through
contracts or by purchase. In the latter
case a mode of procedure is outlined. Six
months notice is given 10 the president OF
the road that is wanted to he effect that,
at the end OF that period the Government
will take possession of the property, for
the public good" at the same time guar
anteeing 10 the stockholders of the road
the regular rate Of dividends.
These roads are to be operated by en-
ployes chosen by the Civil Service Com
mission No passes or rebates are 10 be
given, and all Government troops and sup
plies are 10 be carried free.
Ns Affects Passengers.
The passenger service is classified as
local post. express, and fast post. The bill
continues as follows:
The local post shall include railway
| trains stopping at all stations and trains
/ scheduled to stop for passengers within
average distances of fifteen miles The eX-
| press post shall include railway trains
scheduled TO stop for passengers within
| average distances of from fifteen to forty
miles, and TO run at a speed OF not less
than thirty miles an hour. The fast post
shall include railway trains scheduled to
stop for passengers at average distances Of
not less than forty miles, and to run at a
speed Of not less than forty miles an hour.
Railway passenger cars shall be -classi-
fed as ordinary cars and palace cars.
Passenger fares shall be as follows:
BY local post, ordinary cars, cents per
trip; by local post, palace cars, % cents
per trip: by express post. ordinary cars %
cents per trip; by express post. palace
! cars 81 per trip; by fast post, ordinary
| cars, 81 per trip; by fast post, palace cars,
s. per trip.
Children, except infants in arms, who
shall travel free, shall pay the same fare
as adults. These fares are only for con-
tinuous trips in one direction. No stop
overs shall be allowed Travellers beyond
the run OF the through car or train of de-
parture shall be provided with transfers
dated on the day of departure, but these
| transfers shall only be good if used on
or before midnight Of the day of departure.
Holders Of transfers must take the first
service of their class leaving the
transfer station after their arrival. 4
fast transfer. however, shall entitle the
holder to proceed on his journey by either
of the different services. An express trans
fer shall only entitIe the holdeg to pro-
ceed by express or local service. Local
transfers shall only be good on local ser
| vices.