The news & observer. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1894-current, 1901-09-13
BETTER LAWS FAVORED.

The difficulty with the proper regula-
ton of railroad rates lies in the weak
ness of the Inter-Stat Commerce Com
mission law The meeting of the Rail-
road Commissioners of the Southern
States in session at Asheville has adopt
ed resolutions containing recommends
tons which deserve thoughtful consid-
Grafton Those relating to national leg
islation are necessary if the government
is to regulate the railroads and prevent
those evils that called for the enactment
of the Inter State Commerce law. We
publish below the resolutions in full:
/. Be it resolved by the State railroad
commissioners of and for the Southern
States, in convention assembled, That
the Congress of the United States be
respectfully requested to speedily pass
an act authorizing and empowering the
Inter State Commerce Commission to
prescribe reasonable mean rates for the
transportation Of passengers and freight
by all common carriers engaged in In
ter-State commerce; and that such COM
ity to make such rules and regulations
as will enable said commission to carry
into effect it's orders so fixing such
maximum rates.
g Be it further resolved, That the
Congress of the United States be fur
Their respectfully requested to pass an
act authorizing and empowering the In
State Commerce Commission to pre-
scribe a classification of freight articles
and rates, regulations and conditions for
freight transportation to be known as
THE National Freight Classification;
-a.d that said commission be empowered
and directed to require all common car
riers engaged in Inter State Commerce
to adopt and put into effect said classi-
fication in fixing rates of transportation
over said lines.
g. Be it further resolved, That the
Legislatures of the several States be re-
spectfully requested to pass an act re-
curing that all newly constructed roads
file with the State Railroad Commissions
ers of their respective States a detailed
verified report of the cost of construc-
tion of such roads, before they be al
lowed to operate as common carriers.
a. Be it further resolved, That the
Legislatures of the several States be re-
specially requested to pass an act re-
quiring all railroad companies operating
within State to keep books of account
of all business done therein and all ex-
penses incurred in carrying on such
business, separate and. distinct from
their Inter State business, and that such
books. all papers and vouchers relating
thereto be always open to the inspection
of the State Railroad Commissions of
their respective States.
5. Be it further resolved, That the
Legislatures of the several States be re-
spectfully requested to pass an act au-
sion to employ expert accountants and
to make appropriations to pay the same.
g. Be it further resolved, That as soon
as national classification be author
lied and prescribed that the several
fully urged to promptly adopt and ratify
the same as far as practical.
Z. Be it further resolved, That the
Congress of the United States be re-
spectfully requested to pass an act au-
thorizing and requiring the Federal
courts to treat all cases arising under
dHd ny virtue OIL laws creating TdilTOdu
commissions, whether State or Inter-
State, wherein the public interests are
involved, as preference cases, and as
such that they be entitled to be placed
at the head of the docket and TO be
speedily and promptly heard.
8. Re it further resolved. That the
Congress Of the United States he re-
specttully requested to pass an act pro-
viding that before any Federal court
shall grant temporary injunction re-
straining the enforcement of rates fixed
by any commission duly authorized to
do so, that the parties so applying for
such injunction be first required to en-
ter irto good and sufficient bond, con-
ditioned to repay all sums in excess of
such rates collected by them during the
life of such injunction; that they be re-
quested to make monthly reports of all
such excessive collections and from
whom collected and that if such in
junction be finally dissolved, that de-
cree for such excessive sums be entered
against the compliments and on the
bond, in favor of the defendant for the
use and benefit of all persons from
whom such excessive charges have been
Xacted and collected.
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