New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1905-03-13


service ana the switching of cars from one rail-
road TO another and to supervise charges therefor;
10 supervise and regulate private car line service
ana private tracks: to correct abuses and prevent
unjust discrimination and extortion in the rates OF
Lreight and passenger tariffs to enforce reasonable
and Just rates for each railroad for the use OF
transportation of loaded empty cars and may
so enforce for each railroad or for all railroads
ai4he reasonable rates for storing and handling of
freight and for the Of cars not unloaded after
forty-eight hours notice to the consigpee and To
ENFORCE reasonable rates, tolls or charges for all
other service performed by sny railroad. It has
power to correct alter. change or establish rates
when some person or corporation injuriously af-
fected shall file verified complaint and after a
rearing shall make such corrections as will prevent
injustice and discrimination
appeal from the action of the commission may
be taken to the courts. Any rate fixed by the COM
mission goes into effect once unless the railroad
company desires to take an appeal when the rail-
road shall give bond to indemnify the complain
ant, ana shall refund to the shipper the difference
between the rate charged and the rate ordered,
less the courts reverse the commission.
The following history of the movement that led
to the creation of the commission was prepared
for Freight by c. B Riley, secretary Of the
Shippers Association
The Indiana Grain Dealers Association two years
age presented a railroad commission bill to the
Last spring the grain dealers, believing that it
proper cooperation Of the entire shipping inter-
ests of the State, appointed a conference commit
transportation matters to appoint Similar commit
tees tees As a result Of this, a number carried out
ton was then created out Of these representative
uon until we had over thirty commercial organiza-
ions associated with We began regular cam
Republican party to incorporate in its State plat
form a resolution favorable to the betterment Of
wise Later. when the Democratic State Conven-
ton was in session we secured a similar indorse-
Governor was likewise given an opportunity to
began the work Of education. Working through
the various examinations we presented the neees5
sltles for legislation; and as the time progressed
the candidates for the legislature and the State
cured their nominations only after giving most
liberal assurances as to their position on the ques-
uon OF the railroad commission ... -
made TO secure assnrances from those elected and
their friends and business men generally called
need for such legislation was paramount to all
others and they became thoroughly posted as to
the needs Of the people and the necessity for such
session convinced that the legislation was neces-
little attention to the campaign work proceea1Is
on the theory that they would be able to influence
against such legislation they had formerly done.
You can imagine their establishment at hnding
legislation and after weeks of effort on their
ference With the shippers and try to agree upon a
measure that would protect all interests. con
ference committee Of three railroad attorneys with
three shippers and their attorney was designated,
and after weeks work succeeded in promulgating
That bin is the Newhouse Railroad Commission
bill. The writer had the honor Of being mem
and feels that conceded practically nothing to
the railroads for the purpose of conference. and
that the bill in some respects is now pettef thah
1t was before. There is one feature about it, how
ever that is not so entirely Satisfactory. put is
better than in some States That feature IS the
one providing for the rate, when fixed by the com
commission. except when the railroad desires 10
take an appeal from the decision of the commits
sion. In that event. the railroad company hles
to protect an ane Then the tn old rate
sbonId remain in force Subject to the further pro-
vision that the railroad companies issue Obligations
between the old rate and the commissions. rate.
the payment to be subject to the final decision of
Commission is sustained then these obligations are
payable within thirty days, the holder thereof be-
con court in any county through which the railroad
operates; the judgment TO include attorney fees
TIE contention of the railroads " as this, that
until the final decree Of the count, unfolding the
lect the in force before the commission acted.
and since they could protect the PASSENGERS apf
menorandrm they thought their rate should not
be disturbed. the disorganized 'public. on the
panies against the difference in the two rates in
the event the Appellate Court should overthrow the
We recognized the force Of the argument, and,
eelng %1g to the congiton9 We realize how
ever, that there viii be some confusion and dis
growing out Of this feature OF the
tee TO ali parties we believe thar we wiz be sus
nous report on this subject from railroad rep
resentatives and the representatives Of the Ship
pers' Association. commission. when it comes
INTO existence win have the moral support of the
entire business interests Of the State We believe
cuIties and technical litigation that would follow
unfriendly attitude on the part OF the railroads