The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1902-02-07
WOULD AMEND THE ACT
COMMERCE. LAW RECOMMENDED.
Final Report of the IndustriarCOm-
mission on Transportation,
Agriculture, Etc.
MANY SUGGESTIONS MADE
LOOKING TO THE PROTECTION OF
THE SHIPPER AND FARMER.
Congress Urged TO Give the Interstate-
Commerce Commission Addi-
tiOnaI Authority.

WASHINGTON. Feb. 6.-The Industrial
Commission has submitted its final report
20 Congress. 1t is a document of more than
one thousand printed pages. The first part.
which has been made public. deals with the
progress of the Nation, agriculture. mining
and transportation. Recommendations are
made on the subject of transportation and
agriculture. The commission advises as to
transportation:
That the policy of government super
vision and control of railroads. as orig
inally laid down in the senate COMMITTEES
report of 1856. and embodied In the follow
ing year in the act. be
revived and strengthened; that the au-
thority of the Interstate-commerce Com
mission. necessary for the adequate pro-
lection of shippers and clearly intended by
the trainers of the law. be restored, and
that the powers and functions OF the COM
mission be enlarged practically as con-
templated In the so-called Cull0m bill of
1900, except as TO authority TO prepare and
enforce a uniform classification. Such leg
islatiOn should provide: First. for more
stringent regulations Of the conditions I'M
der which freight and passenger tariffs are
published and filed: second. that no rate
or classification ought to be changed with
cut at least sixty days notice TO shippers
unless specifically authorized by the Inter-
state-cOmmerce Commission.
That strict adherence to published tariffs
be required and rebates or discrimination
prevented by an increase Of the penalties.
That the lOng-and-short-haul clause in
Section 4. OF the act of 1887. be strengthened
and rigfdly enforced, unless the carriers
shall be released by special order of the
Interstate-commerce Commission.
For the definite grant OF power to the
Interstate-commerce Commission, never ON
its own initiative, but only on formal COM
plant. 10 pass upon the reasonableness of
freight and passenger rates or charges:
also the definite grant of power TO declare
given rates unreasonable, as at present. to-
gether with power to prescribe REASONABLY
rates in substitution.
For early hearings on complaints and
for prompt decisions by the commission. the
purpose being TO obviate intolerable delays.
For a specific grant OF power TO the In
terstate-COmmerce Commission over classf-
hcations. both as 10 items and grouping.
Coupled with this, however. we dissent
from the section OF the so-called Cullom
bill requiring the acknowledgements
Commission within a certain period to pro-
mulsate a uniform classification for the
United States.
For the establishment of a permanent
corps of expert auditors. who shall have
authority under the supervision OF the In
terstate-cOmmerce Commission. 10 examine
periodically the accounts OF all railroad
companies. whether operating or financial
IN their nature.
That violations Of the act respecting the
keeping and filing Of annual reports by car
riers should be made misdemeanors. and
promptness in making such returns should
DE tl4AAt4
THAT. 10 further the effectiveness of the
commission. its membership should be df-
rectly representative Of the various inter-
ests concerned. in the persons OF shippers
or business men. traffic experts Grail and
water and men or legal training. and the
number or commissioners should be in
creased TO seven
"Tha legislation analogous 20 the anti
st~ock-watering statutes OF Massachusetts
be enacted by the several States.
That railroad companies be prohibited
by law from making lower freight rates
upon imports billed 20 the interior OF this
country IN connection with ocean trans
p~ortation or otherwise. than are made on
similar articles from the seaboard To the
interior, or than are made from one inland
point 10 another, when the distance Is not
greater"
AGRICULTURE.
Prefacing its communications regarding
agriculture. the commission saws that 'ag-
riculture has derived more benefit from the
establishment OF the Department OF Agri-
culture and from its administrative work
than from any other federal legislation
II makes the following recommendations
on this subject:
THAT the secretary OF agriculture be
given authority. To inspect dairy prod-
ucts intended FOR export and 10 certify 10
their grade and quality.
ITO fix standard grades for cereals. based
on season or grOWlnR quality and weight
Per measure. and. when intended for ex-
port. 10 Inspect and certify the same.
TO cause STOCK cars and s~tOckyards TO
be cleansed and disinfected whenever he
considers such action necessary.
'"To make edaqGate regulations prohibit
Ing the shipment Of uninspected OF diseased