Evening star., 1902-02-07
Industrial Commission on Agriculture
and Transportation.
REPORT SUBMITTED 10 CONGRESS
Recommendations Based on In
formation Received.
LEGISLATION FAVORED

The final report of the Industrial commits
sion on the subjects of progress of the ma
tion," agriculture" mining and trans
| portation'' has been sent to Congress. The
| report on progress of the nation consists
| of a review of the growth of population and
| industries in this country, and that on
mining is composed Of a review of testi-
| mony taken before the commission on that
subject. The commission makes recon-
mendations for legislation on agriculture
| and transportation. When the commission
reports on Industrial combinations it will
make recommendations in relation to
| mining.
The commission emphasizes the great i'm
portance OF agriculture in this country, and
| the need of legislation to advance its in
| terests. The need Of low uniform freight
rates Is referred to, and the Department OF
Agriculture Is commended for the excellent
work 1t has done for farmers. The commits
sion believes that the operations of the De-
partment Of Agriculture should be extended
as follows:
Extension of Authority Advocated.
Il. That the Secretary of Agriculture be
given authority
"(a3 To inspect dairy products intended
for export and to certify to their grade and
quality.
"b) To fix standard grades for cereals,
based on season of growing, quality and
weight per measure, and, when intended
for export, to inspect and certify the same.
"(c) To cause stock cars and stock yards
to be cleansed and disinfected whenever he
considers such action necessary.
I'D To make adequate regulations pro-
hibiting the shipment Of uninspected or
diseased meat from one state to another,
or to foreign countries.
"(e) To require and direct the proper dis
position of diseased meat.
THE law at present authorizes the inspec-
ton of meat intended for interstate COM
merce or export, but leaves the condemned
meat to be disposed of locally. The proper
disposition of condemned meat Is quite as
important as inspection.
'2. That a more comprehensive penalty
clause for shipping diseased meat be en-
acted: also a provision by which receiver
Of railroad, well as the owner or
manager OF any railroad company shall
be held liable for violations of the law.
%. That a law be enacted to provide
"(a) For the inspection Of nursery stock
intended for Interstate commerce or for eX
psrt, and prohibiting. the transportation Of
diseased, infested or uninspected nursery
stock.
"(b) For rules and regulations to govern
the importation of nursery stock and fruit,
and prohibiting the Importation of diseased.
infested or uninspected nursery stock or
fruit
To Prevent Fraud in Foods.
4. 1UdC d SectlUu III the CUeIil-
istry division Of the Department of Agri-
culture be established to prevent the adul-
teration, false branding and deceptive imi-
tation of foods, beverages. candies, drugs
and condiments in the District of Columbia
and the territories and for regulating In
terstate traffic therein.
"5. That adequate legislation be enacted
by the several states. where needed, to con-
troll such diseases as glanders, tuberculosis,
etc.
Sc. That whatever changes may. be made
In the tariff, by reciprocity or otherwise,
adequate protection to the beet-sugar in
dustry be maintained.
Good Roads.
81. That increased appropriations be
made by the Congress for building sample
stretches of improved roads in various sec
tions of the country. 50 as to encourage the
more rapid construction of such roads at
state and local expense.
's. That the system Of free rural delivery
be extended as recommended by the Post
master General in his latest annual report.
80. That the policy Of setting aside for
est preserves. already inaugurated, be ex-
tended, and that the three bureaus Of the
government which have charge Of investi-
cations and administrative work connected
with forestry, be consolidated
This report is signed by Albert Clark,
chairman; Senators Penrose and Bard:
Representatives Gardner, Bell, Often and
LoriDer and Merrs. A. L. Harris, John
NJ. Farquhar. Eugene l. Conger, Thomas
w. Phillips. C. ]. Harris, John L. Kennedy,
Chas. H. htchman and D. A. Tompkns.
Regulation of Freight Rates.
The commissions recommendations for
legislation on the subject Of transportation
follow:
ITO the end that discrimination and in
equality as between shippers, and the mall
adjustment Of freight rates between COM
peting markets and trade centers, may be
abolished or minimzed that the public
may be assured Of reasonable and stable
freight rates, which will at the same time
anord falr returns upon capital investment;
that the interest Of investors in American
railroad securities may be protected, and
that undue imitation of capitalization and
fraudulent or speculative manipulation of
business by directors or other interests in
control, may be prevented, we recommend
Il. That the policy of governmental su-
pervision and control of railroads, as orig
fnally laid down in the Senate committee
report of 1885. and embodied the following
year in the interstate commerce act be re-
yived and strengthened; that the authority
of the Interstate commerce commission
necessary for the adequate protection of
shippers and clearly intended by the franz
ers Of the law be restored and that the
powers and functions of the commission be
enlarged practically as contemplate in the
so-called Cullom bill Of 1900, except as to
authority to prepare and enforce a uni
form classification.
Enlarge the OmmissiOn.
'That. to further the effectiveness of the
commission. it's membership should be di-
rectly representative of the various inter-
ests concerned, in the persons Of shippers or
business men, traffic experts Grail and
water). and men Of legal training, and the
number Of commissioners should be increas-
ed to seven.
THAT legislation analogous to the anti
stock-watering statutes Of Massachusetts
be enacted by the several states in order to
prevent overcapitalization and to secure SUI
pervision over the promotion and financing
Of railroad organizations and-consolidations.
and that new railroad construction should
be regulated SO as to prevent unwise par
alleling Of existing lines.
THAT railroad companies be prohibited
By law from making lower freight rates
upon imports billed to the interior of this
country. in connection with ocean transpor-
tation or otherwise, than are made on SINH
lar articles from the seaboard 10 the in
terror, or than are made from one inland
point to another when the distance is not
greater"
The recommendations Of the co,n,r;s.,o,,