Los Angeles herald., 1905-11-30
WOULD CONTROL
RAILWAY RATES
SENATE COMMITTEE RECEIVES
REPORT
Interstate Commerce Commission
Makes Some Sweeping Reeom-
mendations for Proposed
Amendments
BY Associated Press,

| w lOlNs lNONs GJs-lI ne SELL
ate committee on interstate commerce
today received a copy of the rate bill
prepared by the interstate commerce
commission, to be submitted to con-
gress for amendment to the interstate
commerce law.
The members of the committee who
were present at the session today read
the bill but took no action and adj
journed until Friday. The bill is very
extensive, covering q pages of type
written sheets, and 1t proposes to
amend materially the present law. The
more important provisions of the bill
are summarized as follows:
1t defines the word Transportation as
used in the bill so as to include all in
| strumentalities employed by the car
rier, including elevators, terminals,
cars, whether owned by the carrier or
other parties, for refrigeration, venti-
lation or other purposes and requires
the carrier to furnish such transporta-
| tion upon reasonable request of the
shippers publishing the total charges
for such transportation as now re-
quired by law.
To Control All Rates
1t makes the through or Joint rate
where goods are shipped from one part
OF the United States to another through
foreign country subject to the con-
troll of the interstate commerce com
mission and enforces the provision by
making the merchandise passing
through the foreign country from part
of the United States and delivered in
the United States subject to the Gus
TOMS duty at the frontier unless the
through rate is filed with the inter-
state commerce commission and pub
lished as required by law.
IL authorizes the committee through
inspectors TO examine the accounts of
interstate railroads, forbids the keep
ing of any other books of account ex
cept those prescribed by the commits
sion and requires railroads to make a
great variety of reports in regard to
all of their business.
Will Be Court of Appeals
1t gives to the interstate commerce
commission the power, where rates and
practices of railways are complained
OF by individuals or corporations. in
cluuing other carriers or trade organ
lzat1ons or municipal corporal ations as
unjust or unreasonably discriminatory
10 determine upon full hearing what a
just and reasonable rate of practice is
winch should take the place of tbe
rate or practice condemned by the com
mission.
And in discharging this DUTY tbe
commission is given power to fix the
maximum rate.
TO fix the differentiaI and to pre-
scribe both maximum and rninin,,no
rates, and to enforce the same when II
may be necessary to prevent 6iscrim-
ination forbidden by the bill, but not
otherwise. io'
To change the classification of any
article. ''-'
1t also gives the commission the power
III case 1t fixes a joint rate and the
carriers interested are not able to agree
on lts apportionment, to make a sup
plemental order apportioning the same.
Provides Penalties
A similar power Is given to establish
true rates and joint rates and to fix
the terms and conditions under which
rates shall be operated if the CARRIERS
fa1l or refuse to agree upon the same.
lt also provides that where the owner
or the property transported renders any
service in connection with the trans
portation or furnishes any instrument
tality used the commission NAV on
complaint determine what is a reason
able charge to be paid by carriers for
Such service or inStrumentality.
1t provides for the collection in the
courts of overcharges found by the
commission, and the penalties for the
failure of the carriers to observe final
orders of the commission
1t provides that the final order of the
commission shall take effect within
thirty days from the time they are
served on the carrier. and unless vaca-
ted by the courts said orders will re-
main effective for the space of one
year.
Arranees Legal Enforcement
In case the carriers complained of
object to putting orders of the commits
sion into effect their right TO have the
same reviewed in the circuit court of
the United States is provided for, and
an elaborate form of procedure is out
lined differing only in one important
particular from the procedure now es-
tablished for the courts of the United
States, namely, that the chancellor
may, upon notice to both parties ex-
tend the time in which such orders
shall take effect, not to exceed sixty
days from the date of the service of the
orders on the carriers and that the
court may also, If 1t plainly appears
that the order is unlawful, but not
otherwise, suspend its operation within
the discretion of the court.
From the circuit to the supreme
court without supersedeas is allowed.
The bill provides that no costs shall be
allowed the petitioner in the circuit
court.
In the cases appealed to the circuit
court the United States is the de-
fendant, and If the proceedings are
dismissed, the defendant shall have
Judgment for it's costs.
Fines for Violations
The defense in these proceedings Is