The Washington times., 1903-06-21
Interstate Commerce Laws.

AhiclStdle Commerce Laws.
At the coming session Of Congress the
efforts are to be renewed 10 obtain Tor
I the Interstate Commerce Commission
more power. The Elbins law has proved
10 be inadequate to meet the require
nents OF the shipper. who il getting
no more protection under 1t than he did
! before the law was passed.
The man who is TO agitate the matter
IS L. d. Bacon. the president OF the In
terstate Congress. He has made the
announcement, and the friends of SUCH
reform have gathered to his support.
and, remarkable though il may seem.
among the latter are a number OF rail
road officers who are going 10 support
the matter quietly
These men represent the smaller lines
that are getting the worst OF all bust
ness deals. and who see no hope unless
the law is changed. The shippers are
in the power OF the roads absolutely.
and the commission. though II goes 10
all kinds of trouble. can really do them
little good
THIS is because the commission. as the
law now stands. must act as the prose
cutor in ali cases. and not as the de-
PENDANT
According TO the program. this is TO
be changed. II is the intention to have
the law read that when a complaint ts
made by shipper that a rate is too
high, and when the commission finds tho
shippers complaint just. after proper
investigation, It can issue an order TX
ing what the commission considers lust
rate
Immediately after the order Is Issued
the rate is to go into effect Then.
should the railroad think it has been
unfairly treated, It can take the casa
into court. and the commission must
defend the rate IT has established.
For years the courts and railroad law
yers have been playing havoc with the
powers OF the commission sud todsv r.
Is orscticslly uUsbis o force ~siIrosd
o Ooey 80 order
Uucer he present is~. II ne shipper
makes . CON oisiut. sha as commission
ofaelS lower 14ls. ,Ae railroad oDeyH
II II is SO inclined. II not. It pays no
attention to the commission and con-
tlEGes 10 charge It's own rate. Then the
commission must take the case into
court. Naturally the railroad opposes
the commission, and IL necessary carries
the suit 20 the Supreme Court This
means legal battle OF several years.
In the meantime the shipper is paying
the high rate.
II the new bill becomes law, the
shipper receives the benefit Of the rate
ordered BY the commission Immediately |
and enjoys II permanently. or until the |
court decides In favor OF the railroad !
Now. this. OF course is all right for |
the shipper. but II is liable TO cause a ]
falling of In the dividends Of stock f,
holders. Naturally. the railroads do not |
like this prospect and the third house"
Is expected 10 be more or less busy again |
This winter.
In speaking of the proposed change /
last night. Interstate Commerce Com !
missioner J. s. Clements said
The ideas advanced by Mr. Bacon are 4
excellent. The Elkins law has proved /
failure The commiss should have the /
power which is now denied it."
Mr.. Bacon has behind him the Nation /
al Lumberman's Association, the Ma /
,ional Board OF Trade, seventeen State 1
boards OF trade, and similar organiza-
lions. extending from New England TO |
Texas. and forty nine business organiza- /
ions IN cities. All of these are TO send /
TO Washington In support of |
he proposed bill.