The Birmingham age-herald., 1903-12-21
Interstate Commerce Commission Makes Public Annual Report
MANY DEFECTS CORRECTED
One of the Most Significant Features In Railway Operation TOT the Past
 Three Years Has Been Marked
 Advance in Freight Rates.

Washington, December 20.-The inter- state commerce commission has made public it's annual report. The first topic considered Is the Elkins law.
 The commission says that the original law, the act to regulate commerce, em- braces two distinct objects or seeks to correct two kinds of railroad abuses: First to secure the publication of tariff rates which shall be just and reasonable and free from determinations; and sec ond, to compel carriers to observe the tariffs so published without exception or variation.
 Broadly speaking the latter class of of lenses only are affected by the Elkins act the provisions of which are mainly designed to prevent , or more effectualy, reach those infractions of law, like mis- demeanors Under this amendment the railway corporation itself Is liable to prosecution in all cases where it's officers and agents are liable under the former law.
 Defect Corrected.
 This change corrects a defect which has always been a source of embarrassment, because it gave immunity to the princi- pal and beneficiary of guilty transac- tion. It is believed that much benefit will result from the fact that proceed ings can now be taken against the cor poration.
 This amendment aboIishes the penalty of imprisonment, and the only punish ment now provided is the imposition of fines. Whether the good results claimed for this change will be realized is by no means certain;. but the present plan should doubtless be continued until it's further utility is tested.
 The commission feels warranted in say ing the Elzins law is wise and salutary measure and that it's beneficial effects became evident from the time of it's pas sage. It has corrected serious defects In the original law and aided In the attain ment of some of the purposes for which that law was made. Probably never be- fore in the railroad history of this coun- try have tariff rates been so well or generally observed as they are at the present time
 Advance in Freight Rates.
 One of the most significant features in the railway operation for the past three years has been a marked and gen eral advance in freight rates. These advances in transportation charges have resulted largely through increase of the published rate itself. The increases ap- ply to nearly all parts of the country and to many of the most important kinds of traffic. With a few exceptions class rates have not been increased Coal, grain lumber, live stock, dressed meats and racking house products have been affected An exception of packing house products from Missouri river points to Chicago is noted Many changes have also been worked in classifcations. The class rates have remained the same but numerous commodities have been ad- vance 4 from a lower to a higher class. There has also been a constant disposi- ton to remove special privileges which had been previously accorded and to charge for services for which before no charges had been made.
 These increases are general. and, while, as applied to the movement of con siderable quantity of a given article. they a.e comparatiyely small. they amount in the aggregate to an enormous sum. The effect has been to increase the taxes laid upon the general body of producers and consumers In this country to the advan- tage of the owners of railway property
 The Safety Appliance Law.
 Since the last annual report of the com mission the safety appliance law has been amended in important particulars by an amendment approved March 2 1903 This requires a fixed minimum Of 60 per cent of cars properly equipped with air brakes Tn working condition to be nlaced in each train. In cases where, be- cause of high speed steep grades, safety requires more than the 50 per cent specified in the amendment the rail- road is responsible in accordance with the terms of the original act. for the use of enough power brakes to insure effi- cient control of the train without the use of hand brakes.
 "The railrods have had ten years to place their equipment in condition to meet the requirements of the law, and it is time it is compiled with in every de- tail.'
 Accident Reports.
 With the end of the month of June last, the reports which are made to the com mission by the railroads under the acci- dent law of March 3, 1901, completed two years record and the totals of the principal items in these reports are given in the appendix. In the year ending June 30. 1903, the number of passengers killed in train accidents was 164 and of injured 4i24; of employees killed, S95; injured, GAO Casualties from other causes, added to these. make totals of 32l passengers and 3233 employees killed and 6973 passengers and 39,004 employees injured. These num- hers are larger by considerable per centage than the corresponding numbers of the year last preceding.
 Collisions and Block Signals.
 The most prominent fact in this years record of train accidents is the appalling loss of life and property in collisions. The showing can not be called material ly worse nor materially better than that made a year ago, and the total number of passengers killed and injured does not differ from the record of the preced- ing year to such extent as to call for comment; but the mere continuance of the record. though 1t be no worse than in former years, Is disgrace to the American people. painful to every care full observer.
 That 1s0, or 11S. or any large number of passengers are killed in the United States in the course of a year in sim gle class of accidents indicates condi- ton which should not pass without seri- ous attention. These fatalities are due to causes which have never been ade- auately considered by any department of government, either of the United States or of any of the states, and there