The Abbeville press and banner. [volume] (Abbeville, S.C.) 1869-1924, 1900-01-31

tho past year render more i'm perative than
ever before the necessity for speedy and
suitable legislation. We therefore renew
the recommendations heretofore made
and earnestly urge their early considera-
tion and adoption"
in freight rates, mainly effected, 1t says, by
concerted and agreed changes in the classi-
flcation OF freight articles by roads, both
connecting and competing, and adds:
"It Is not intended to ultimate that these
advanced rates are unlawful, and no
opinion Is expressed as to their actual
or relative reasonableness. But the fact
that such extensive increases In rail-
road charges have been brought about
by the method described must be Of
significant import and furnish weighty
argument In favor OF measures which will
be effective to secure compliance with the
primary requirements OF the act. These
advances In rates have been agreed upon
by the carriers without opportunity, as
rule, for shippers, dealers, or consumers
to be heard. 1t is inevitable that changes
so numerous and important, affecting
public interests throughout so large part
OF the country, will give rise to
many complaints, both In respect OF the
reasonableness Of particular rates COM
plained OF and alleged Determinations In
the relation OF rates. But so long as carriers
are practically free to make and apply
such rates as they choose, whether acting
Independently or by concert, and whether
competing or otherwise, and there is Mt the
same time no adequate provision for de-
termining whether such rates are just and
reasonable, OF, for preventing the eXaotion
Of those found unjust and unreasonable,
although declared by the statute to BIZ
unlawful, the injustice which may result
must be without available redress"
The report describes tho recent invest-
cation held by the commission in regard
to proposed changes In the official classi-
fcation and the discontinuance OF COM
modify rates by carriers in the East. 1t
says that the petition filed with the COM
mission by shippers, alleging that the in.
vestlgation had disclosed violations Of the
Antitrust law, together with the stimony
taken, was, at the request OF the petition
ers, submitted to the Attorney
who In his reply, held that no violation Of
the Antitrust law had been made to ap-
pear, and he declined, therefore, to insti-
tute the proceeding for enforcement Of
The report adds:
THE complaints received By the COM
mission In regard to this action OF the car
riers came from seventy-three cities and
towns and fourteen States, and were
signed by 334 persons. firms, companies,
corporations or associations. The COM
mission deemed it important that this
large number Of shippers, representing
so many diverse business interest In
practically ull portions of the north
ern and eastern sections Of the United
States, should be officially informed
Of the limited powers of the commission,
fhn nanacaorilv nhorootar nP tha
inquiry, and tho result OF the investiga.
tion. Accordingly, the commission notified
the complaining shippers OF the results OF
the general Investigation which had been
had and that any formal complaint directed
against such changes in classification or
rates would have prompt attention. 1t was
stated, however, that while the commits
sion can order the dlscontinuance OF
wrongful Determinations and unreasonable
rates, 1t is without authority, as the act
now stands. to prescribe reasonable rates,
for future observance by the carriers or to
secure prompt enforcement OF any Of its
decisions" nd. D., ~