New-York tribune., 1905-11-20
DOMINlON'S Z. R, LAWS.
WORK OF COMlfISSION.
Government Supervision of Rates
and administration Popular.

..-o Nov 10 (sneciaD-About three years ago
the Canadian government abandoned the long es-
tablished policy of direct government contFoL " Oh
railroads seni-independent commission was
,oroed II, which was vested all the authority which
was before reposed in the Railroad committee OIL
the Privy Council, composed of members OF the
,-ob;net It was found that this Cabinet commit
tee which could meet only at occasional Intervals
owing 70 the pressure of other departmental pusl-
ness could not satisfactorily handle all the disputes
between railroad companies complaints as 10 ois-
elimination in rates, applications LOT CROSSINGS
etc which kept pouring in. Even wheh matters
xpere considered it was usually after long delay
and in consequence the public discomfort over 'ie
general administration Of railroad ahaHS was co'i
siderable and finally eliminated IN eeheldi ue
nand for the appointment of board whlch coulo
devote its time exclusively TO the dnliiii1' -
railroad matters.
In the session of Parliament OF 1903 a new gen
oral railroad act was passed, which lncludeu tue
consolidation of all in reference 10 rallroauS
and nrovided for the appointment OF q rallfoSI
commission having the authority of court OF
record and invested with all the powers anu uu'ie
of the Railroad Committee of the PrlVy Coullcil.
Tho commission consists of three men and stan
of railroad experts. The commissioners are A I.
LyiIIar, chairman formerly judge: NJ T. BeFilleI'
formerly a member of the Cabinet ana J7ilieS
nfi1Is an AGRICULTURAL expert The chairman re-
cet1.es salary of $4,000 per annum, and the other
commissioners 5000 per annum less
The procedure in connection with the constructor
- -ajlroads in Canada is somewhat different from
that followed in the United States IL Is heCesi
80 that before a railroad be constructed II
,,,,s+ receive charter from the Dominion govern
mont and all applications for charters are thrashed
,,+ bv the Railroad Committee of the House OF
commons before they are discussed IN the fio"Se'
,f ,nrozed by the committee, which like ali COM
,oittees contains a majority of members OF farlia
nent belonging to the party holding the reihs Oh
oe9ce the application for charter is selooIh re-
jected by the House.
The appcation for a charter states in general
terms the different points which viii be toucheu -
the nroposed railroad. The charter having Dee"
obtained general route plan is submitted 10 lile
Minister of Railways for his approval "heI .ilis
is obtained a detailed location plan Is suplli''eu "
the Railroad Commission and from TINS po+I, .-
through all the different phases of construction ana
re-afion the railroad is subject to the runhgs OF
the Railroad Commission.
There is no doubt that since the appointment OF
the Railroad Commission the interests OF the pun
lie have been mere effectually safeguardeu anu
business has been transacted more eXpedltlousiy
than under the old plan The railroads Aho"ti1s
that there is a body whose sole duty is 10 Wa'el
and administer the railroad laws. are less liicIli
10 ignore the complaints and demands OF me Puoi'
than they were and there scores OF minor mat
ters such as complaints about unsafe CROSSINGS
which through the mediation OF tne CONN -
are settled without evidence being taken anu "i
out a public decision being given
The most important matter with WhlcII lHo -. 80
deals is of course the regulation OF '''e '.,.-,-.
new railroad act provides chat the commission
must be provided by the railroads with @ll 20
ticulars in reference tolls, and has the po"e -
disallow any toll which 1t considers 10 DC 4l'I ~
or uurea sonable. and may require the -.
,+h,, q ,rescribed tina substitute d 'al ia
at,.factorI, 70 the commissoE. In the event u
the railroad failing do this. the comrssiot '-As
the power TO fix tolls and TO name me u1te 80
witch they win go into effect Where oiy ina to
MiSI VII e- a-nendei or supplemented from eills
tI1sa the commission may order that nv, tbe
tion and reissue o. such terlii DC i
company ,,.- 80. ,o@ made any move
So far the eoInmssi9e perng @ any general railroad
u, t,e IN force on any railroad In Canaaa .rs ave
49, eorsidered In several cases is-,I - bsen
-. .rdared o restnr@ old rates NilS- "