The Birmingham age-herald., 1903-01-27
R. R. COMMISSION
 BILL INTRODUCED
Continued from First Paae)

able rate for each railroad subject to this act, for the transportation of each of said classes and subdivisions.
 The president and each of the commits sioners, for the purposes mentioned in this chapter, shall have power to adminis- ter all paths, certify to all official acts, and to compel the attendance of witnesses and the production of papers, way-bllls, books accounts, documents and testimony and to punish for contempt as fully as Is provided by law for Circuit courts.
 Railroads Can Appeal.
 Section 19 provides that if any railroad company or other party at interest he d,s- satisfied with the decision of any rate. classification, rule, charge, order, act or regulation adopted by said commission. such dissatisfied party or company may file a petition setting out the particular cause or causes of objection to such de- cision, act, rate, rule, charge, classifica- ton or order, or to either or to all of them, In court of competent Jurisdiction In Montgomery county, against said com mission as defendant. Said action shall have precedence over all other causes on the docket of different nature, and shall be tried and determined as other civil causes in said court
 Section twenty-two provides that anu, person, firm, corporation or association. or any mercantile agricultural, mining or manufacturing association or any body polite or municipal organization. complaining of anything done or omitted to be done by any railroad subject here to, in violation of any law of this state. or the provisions of this chapter for which penalty Is provided, may apply to said commission in such manner and un- der such rules as the commission may prescribe.
 Can Inspect All Books.
 Section twenty-three provides that the commissioners, or any Of Nhem, or such persons as they may employ therefor. shall have the right, at such times as they may deem necessary, to inspect the books and papers of any railroad com pany, and to examine under oath any officer, agent or employe of such rail- road In relation to the business and af fairs of the same If any railroad shall refuse to permit the commissioners, or any of them, or any person authorized thereto, to examine it's books and papers. such railroad company shall. for each of- fense, pay to the state of Alabama not less than S125 nor more than $500 for each day it shall so fail or refuse: pro- vided, that any person other than one of the commissioners who shall make any such demands shall produce his author ity, under the hand and seal of said com mission, to make such inspection.
 Section twenty-four provides that the commission shall ascertain as early as practicable the amount of money expend- ed in construction and equipment per mile of every railway in Alabama the amount of money expended to procure the right-of-way and the amount of money it would require to reconstruct the roadbed, track, depots and transpor- tation, and to replace all the physical properties belonging to the railroad.
 Can Regulate Freight Rates.
 The said commission shall have power, and it is hereby made it's duty to inves- tigate all through freight rates on rail- roads in Alabama; and when the same are, in the opinion of the commission excessive or levied or laid in violation of the interstate commerce law or the rules and regulations of the interstate com merce commission, the officials of the railroad are to be notified of the fact and requested to reduce them or make the proper corrections as the case may be.
 It shall also be unjust discrimination for any such railroad to make or give any undue or unreasonable preference or ad- vantage to any particular person. com pany firm, corporation or locality, or to subject any particular description of traf- fic to any undue or unreasonable preju- dice. delay or disadvantage in any re- spect whatever.