The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1904-02-19
MUST BE MADE PUBLIC
IMPORTANT DECISION BY INTER-
sTATE-COMNERCE COMMISSION.
Ii Act BE Not Changed, Carriers VIII
Be Ordered to Print Export and
Import Traffic Tariffs.

Inc Interstate-commerce Commission yes
terday announced that as a result Of its in
vestigation Of the feasibility OF requiring
railroads TO publish the tariffs FOR the move
nent of export and import traffic. the same
as domestic traffic. il has decided to leave
the matter in abeyance for a time. If the
lnterstate-commerce act is not amended
within a reasonable time, so as to relieve
the commission of the necessity of requiring
such publication. the commission holds that
IT viii be its duty 10 enforce the %publica-
uon OF import and export rates in the man
ner now provided by law, but so far not
complied with. The decision adds:
Public policy urgently requires the in
land transportation OF import and export
should be subject to the act to
regulate commerce., and that the publishing
and maintaining of tariffs upon such traffic
imposes in most instances no hardships
upon the carrier. There may be cases in
which a modification of this rule would be
OF service TO the carrier without detriment
TO the public. and perhaps other instances
IN which such a modification should be
granted in the interest of both the carrier
and the public. This can only be accom-
plished by an amendment Of the act, since
the provisions of that statute are manda-
tory, and the commission has no power
to modify their requirements.
IL carriers are to any extent relieved
from giving the notice now required of adj
vances and reductions in rates upon foreign
commerce, they should in all cases file with
the commission the rates actually made,
and give such further notice to the public
as may be possible. The carriers will be af-
forGed an opportunity to adjust their tar
IFS and arrangement and if so advised
present the subject to Congress, provided,
however, that in the meantime all carriers
which. do not publish and maintain import
and export tariffs shall file with the COM
mission as promptly as possible a statement
OF the rates actually charged"
The commission holds that the Interstate
conrnerce act now requires the publication
CT the import and export rates the same
as the domestic. but that until the passage
OF the so-called Elkins bill, on Feb. 10. 1898,
there was apparently no very effective
means 10 compel their publication. This. to-
gether with a feeling that there may be
cases in which an insistence upon this re-
quirement might prove injurious both to the
common carrier and to the public. led the
commission to refrain from any active at
tempt 20 secure a compliance with the stat
Ute In this respect. 1t says that il would be n
grave misfortune if export and imDOrt traf-
nc were withdrawn from the Supervision
OF the law; that the foreign rate NAV be the
uirect equivalent or concessions to dOmes-
TIC tarn1s and that If the American rail
line Is allowed to make whatever rate il
sees nj upon export business. paw what
ever rebate and grant whatever conces-
one shipper which it denies to another
the power exists 20 discriminate against
a competitor 10 the extent of driving him
out OF business and chaos would result.