Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1905-12-06
TO REGULATE RATES
Introduction Of the Eseh-
Townsend Bill.
ITS OBJECT EXPLAINED
POWERS OF INTERSTATE COMMITS
SION ENLARGED.
It Is Claimed That It Possesses the
Three Requisites Named by the
President in His Message.

The Esch-Townsend railroad rate bill,
which passed the House at its last session,
has been redrawn and.was reintroduced in
the House today by Mr.. Townsend. The
bill embraces all of the features of the for
mer measure but is drawn SO as to specify
specifically the particular things which may
be done by the interstate commerce COM
mission. In addition 1t has publicity fea-
ture and gives the commission jurisdiction
over refrigeration and terminal charges. 1t
also directly prohibits the carrier from
granting any shipper the privilege Of col
lecting his product and then getting spe-
cial rate under the short-term provision for
changing rates.
1.-The demand of the country today" said
Mr.. Townsend today to a Star reporter, IN
explaining the bill, lis for a government
regulation of interstate and foreign COM
merce carriers which regulates. 1t Is not
asking that wrong be done the carriers, but
that constitutional and legal rights be Sc
cured for the people. 1t is this that the
President recommends in his message to
Congress No subterfuge quack remedy
should be adopted, and none will be toler-
ated by the people The Esch-Townsend
bill seeks to provide reasonable safe and
legal remedy for existing evils. 1t Is not
all that everybody desires, it may be more
than some want
Enlarges Commissions Powers.
1.-The bill expresses the ideas of the Presl-
dent in his message and will, if enacted
into law. amend the Interstate commerce
law so as to make it more effectual in Sc
curing exact justice between the carriers,
shippers, producers and consumers 1t
amends the substantiatiye law so as to
embrace within the powers of the commits
sion all interstate carriers of interstate ana
foreign commerce, whether by railroads or
partly by railroads and partly by water,
and includes specifically in the term trans
portation, all cars. vehicles, ventilation, re-
frigeratioD, elevation, transfer, storage and
all other facilities and instrumentalities of
shipment and carriage as well as terminal,
siding and industrial tracks thus giving the
commission authority over the so-called
private car and other agencies.
1T enlargeS the interstate commerce
commission to seven members increases
the length of their term of office to seven
years and their salaries to $4,000 This
is done at the Presidents suggestion, as
the increased power conferred upon the
commission VIII increase its duties and
responsibilities and require the best men
obtainable. This commission will compel
the establishment of joint and through
rates for interstate traffic and abolish the
custom which exists in some cases of bill
ing shipments within the borders of state
and then compel reshpment.
1T seeks to abolish the so-called mid
night rate evil by charging the time in
which published or scheduled rate can be
changed TO sixty days, and compels the
carrier to itemze its schedules and rates
in accordance with the Instructions of the
commission. This schedule must also show
the division of fares or charges between
so-called trunk or through lines and termi-
nal or industrial roads.
Prompt Decisions Required.
1.-THE bill also provides that the commits
sion shall decide promptly, and within
ninety days after hearing, all cases brought
before 1t. 1t contains practically the same
provision of the Esch-Townsend bill which
authorizes the commission, upon complaint
and after full hearing. to determine wheth-
er g. rate or regulation Is reasonable or
unreasonable, and If unreasonable to sub
stitute the reasonable maximum rate in its
stead, and it may order both maximum
and minimum rate in cases involving the
relation of rates when 1t finds that course
necessary to enforce the application of DIFF
ferential charges, and such order of the
commission shall go into effect within
provision applies also to Joint rates, and
where the carriers parties to such joint
rates fail to agree on the division of the
same the commission may determine the
share of each carrier.
Rehearings Provided For.
ut also provides for a rehearing upon
any order which the commission has made
on the dppnCation Oh tltitI party 10 tie
case In case the carrier IS dissatisfied
with any order OF the commission 1t can,
on petition, begin proceedings in the fed
eral court of the judicial district in which
1t has it's principal operating office, alleg
Ing that the order of the commission Is un-
lawful and praying that 1t be vacated and
set aside When such petition is filed 1t Is
the duty of the Attorney General TO give
notice as provided under the expedition
act of February H. 1903, whereupon the
court, consisting Of three circuit judges, or
two circuit judges and a district judge,
shall proceed directly to determine the law
fulness of the commissions order. In which
case the commission is the defendant, and
the Attorney General has charge of the
defense. Either party to the proceeding
may appeal from the decision of the expe-
dition court directly to the Supreme Court.
No provision is made for suspending either
the order of the commission or of the trial
court, for the reason that the court
whether expressly permitted by the bill or
not would have the power to enjoin any
order If the prope. showing is made that
the order or decree is unlawful
1.-THE bill also provides that the commits
sion shall have authority to designate and
employ special agents and examiners, en-
powered to administer oats, examine wit
nesses and receive evidence; this also Is
done to expedite business before the COM
mission.
Full Reports From Railways.
Tine Dill also provides Tor the fullest pos
stble reports from the railroads, Of every
detail of their business and business via
tons; showing receipts and disbursements,
all contracts, private or otherwise, and
gives the commission power to require spec
flied methods of keeping accounts and of
making reports. The bill also authorizes
the commission and its agents to inspect at
any time all books of accounts, records.
memoranda or contracts, and imposes fines
and imprisonment for keeping and reporting
anything but true and full records and for
Withholding any information from the COM
mission.
The President In his message calls par
ticuiar attention to three matters which
should be included In any measure to amend
the interstate commerce law:
g First. To provide against so-cslled
midnight rates
" Second To empower the Commission
with authority to FIX unnn comnIaint and