The evening times. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1895-1902, 1900-01-15

the year was found in the general demon
alization Of rates. through disregard Of
published tariffs. which reached an acute
and deplorable stage in the autumn Of
1898. On competitive traffic between great
centres the published tariff was little more
than a basis from which to calculate con
cessiOns and Determinations. with the re-
suit that shippers who failed to secure
these unlawful favors were in many cases
forced TO do business at a lCSs, and in
some instances driven out Ca business.
Unfortunately, the Commission cannot
punish these criminal infractiOns Of the
law
The most it can do is 10 ascertain The
facts, If possible. and report them TO the
Department Of Justice. The Commission
has made earnest and persistent efforts
to secure enforcement OF the penal pro-
visions Of the law but, whatever may be
the reason for failure The fact is that
convictions have been very few in com
parisOn with the number Of prosecutions
instituted.
The recent investigation held by the
Commission in regard 10 proposed changes
in the official classification and the discOn-
tinuance Of commodity rates by carriers In
the East is described. The complaints re-
ceived from shippers and the proceedings
had at the hearing before the Commission
with the Commission by shippers alleging
that the investigation had disclosed viola
tions OF the antitrust law and asking that a
copy Of the testimony and papers be sent
10 the Attorney General and also the state
ment that the Commission complied with
the request but without expressing any
opinion or making any recommendation.
In his reply the Attorney General re-
viewed the testimony and held that no vio-
lation OF the antitrust law had been made
TO appear. and he declined, therefore. 70 in
stitute the proceeding for enforcement Of
that law which the shippers requested. The
letter Of the Commission and the reply Of
the Attorney General are set out in fun
in the report
The complaints received by the Com
mission in regard 10 this action Of the
carriers came from q cities and towns in
Il States. and were signed by 334 persons,
firms. companies. corporations. or associ-
atiOns.
Fifteen civil cases are pending in the
Federal courts to enforce orders of the
Commission. Indictments for criminal
violations OF the statute have been found
by Federal grand juries and are awaiting
trial in Louisiana. Texas. and Georgia
'Twenty-three cases have been formal
" instituted before the Commission since
the last annual report These relate di-
reetly to rates and practices enforced by
292 carriers. The report contains a brief
statement OF the points involved in these
cases, and OF the proceedings which have
been had and investigated by the Commits
sion az Washington and various other cities
throughout the country. The whole num-
Der of petitions fled with the Commission
during the year was 205, and 474 railroad
companies filed answers thereto or other
wise appeared. These included petitions
presented by carriers for extension of time
TO comply with the Safety Appliance law.
The report includes statistics from the
Eleventh Annual Report on the Statistics
of Railways in the United States for the
year ended June 30, 1898. which was dis
tributed about November /. 1899.
Several decisions have been rendered by
Federal courts during the year in cases
arising under the act 10 regulate com
merce. Four Of these cases were institut
ed TO enforce orders of the Commission.