The Montgomery advertiser., 1903-01-27

for inc circuit courts Of this state or the judges thereof.
 notice by the Governor shall attend the meetings of the State Board of Assess ment. and, If required give such board all information they can that will assist them in the assessment of taxes against persons or corporations operating rail- roads
 Section i5. On or before the 10th day of October. of each year. the Railroad Com mission, through it's President. shall make to the Governor, for transmission to the Legislature, a report of its acts and do- ings for the year ending on the thrtieth (3D day of June, next preceding. setting forth such facts as will disclose the act ual workings of the railroad system ln this State, and making such suggestions as to the general railroad policy of the State as may to them seem appropriateT and it shall also therein submit such recommendations for further legislation upon the subject of railroads as it may deem necessary or advisable for the in- terest of the State.
 Its Power and Authority.
 Section l6 The power and authority is hereby vested in the Railroad Commis- sion of Alabama, and 1t Is hereby made it's duty, to adopt all necessary rates, charges and regulations to govern and regulate railroad freight and passenger tariffs the power to correct abuses and prevent unjust discrimination and extor- ton in the rates of freight and passenger tariffs on the different railroads in this State. and to enforce the same by hay ing the penalties inflicted as by this Chap ter prescribed through proper courts hav- ing Jurisdiction.
 1a) The said Commission shall have the power. and it shall be its duty to fairly and justly classify and subdivide all freight and property of whatsoever character that may be transported over the railroads of this State into such gen. eral and special classes of subdivisions as may be found necessary and expe- dient.
 (b) The Commission shall have the power, and 1t shall be Its duty, to fix to each class or subdivision of freight q reasonable rate for each railroad subject to this Act, for the transportation of ca oh of said classes and subdivisions.
 (c) The classlhcations herein provided for shall apply to and be the same for all railroads, subject to the provisions or
 Id.l The said Commission may nx diff ferent rates for different railroads and for different lines under the same man same line. if found necessary to do jus- tice.
 (el The said Commission shall have the power, and 1t shall be It's duty. to fix and establish for all or any connecting lines of railroads in this State, reasonable joint rates of freight charges for the various classes of freight and cars that may pass over two or more lines of such railroads
 0) If any two or more connecting railroads shall fail to agree upon fair and just division of the charges arising from the transportation of freights. pas- sengers or ears over their lines, the Com mission shall fix pro rata part of such charges to be received by each of said connecting lines.
 tg) Until the Commission shall make the classif1cations and schedules of rates as herein provided for, and afterwards. if it deems 1t advisable. may make partial or special classiications for all or any of the railroads subject thereto. and TX the rates to be charged by such roads therefor; and such classihcations and rates shall be put into effect in the man ner provided for general classi1cations and schedules of rates.
 (h) The Commission shall. have the power. and 1t shall be it's duty from time to time. to alter change, amend or abol- ish any classification or rate established by it when deemed necessary; and such amended, altered or new classification or rates shall be put into effect In the same manner as the originals.
 <d.) The Commission may adopt and en- force such rules and regulations and modes of procedure as it may deem prop CT to hear and determine complaints that may be made against the classifications or the rates, the rules, regulations and determlnations>of the Commission.
 CD The Commission shall make reason able and just rates of charges for each' railroad subject hereto, for the use or transportation of loaded or empty cars on it's road; and may establish for each railroad or for all railroads alike reason able rates for the storing and hauling of freight and for the use of cars not un- loaded after forty-elght hours notice to the consignee. not to include Sundays.
 (k.) The Commission shall make and establish reasonable rates for the trans portation of passengers over each or all of the railroads subject hereto, which rrates shall not exceed the rates fixed by, law. The Commission shall have the power to prescribe reasonable rates, tolls or charges for all other services per- formed by any railroad subject thereto.
 0) It shall be the duty of each and every railroad subject to this chapter to provide and maintain adequate. comfort able and clean depots and depot build ings a t it's several stations for the &C., commodation of passengers, and said de- pot buildings shall be kept lighted and warmed for the comfort and accommoda- ton of the traveling public; and all such roads shall keep and maintain adequate and suitable freight depots and buildings for receiving. handling. storing and de- livering of all freight handled by such roads; provided. that this shall not be construed as repeating any existing laws on the subject.
 m.) The President and each of the Commissioners, for the purposes mention ed in this chapter. shall have power to ad- minister all Oaths. certify to all official acts, and to compel tho attendance Of witnesses and the production of papers, way bills. books. accounts. documents and testimony and to punish for contempt as fully as is provided by law for Clr- cult Courts.
 Sec. r. Before any rates shall be es- tablished under this chapter, the Com mission shall give the railroad company affected thereby ten days notice of the time and place when and where the rates shall be fixed; and such railroad com pany shall he entitled to be heard at such time and place, to the end that justice may be done; and 1t shall have process to enforce the attendance of witnesses. All process herein provided for shall be serv- cd as in civil cases.
 (a) The Commission shall have power to adopt rules to govern it's proceedings, and to regulate the mode and manner Of all investigations and hearings of railroad companies and other parties before 1t, in the esta blshment of rates, orders, charges and other acts required of 1t un- der this law provided. that no person tigatlon by said Commission shall be denied admission
 Sec. IS. In all actions between private parties and railway companies brought under the law, the rates, charges, or- aers rules and regulations and classih- cations prescribed by said Commission before the institution of such actiOn shall be held conclusive, and deemed and accepted to be reasonable, fair and Just, and in such respects shall not be con troverted therein until finally found oth- erwise in a dil ect action brought for that purpose in the manner prescribed by Sec lions i9 and 2e of thls chapter.
 Its Regulations Conclusive.
 Sec. fg. If any railroad company or oth- CT party at interest be dissatisfied with the decision of any rate, classification, rule charge. order, act or regulation adopted by sad Commission, such dis satisfied party CT company may file pe- t'fton satfinu the particular or