New-York tribune., 1905-08-16
PRIVATECAR LINE INQUIRY
THE COHNISSION ACTS.
In Investigation of .1buses Begun
on It's O7cn Initiati1e.

Washington, Aug. 15-The Interstate Com
nerce Commission, on its own initiative. and as
a result Of complaints against private car lines
to-day Unexpectedly began an investigation Of
the relations between railroads and refrigerator
lines. by which, il is charged. the act to regu-
late interstate commerce is being violated in
several specified particulars The complaint set
forth by The commission is directed against the
Armour Car Line. the American Refrigerator
Transportation Company. the Santa Fe Refrig-
orator Dispatch, and the following railroads:
ST. Louis and san Francisco. Atchison. Topeka
and Santa Fe. st. Louis, Iron Mountain ard
Southern, Central Of Georgia, Southern Atlantic
Coast Line. aboard Air Line. Pennsylvania
Southern Pacific and Kansas City Southern
The railroads and refrigerator lines are made
respondents in proceedings which require tha.
spcci6c answers TO all allegations be made TO the
Interstate Commerce Commission by September
3 II is charged that by means of rebates or
other devices the refrigerator lines are acting
FOR the railroads authorized agents. and the
railroads, acting through the refrigerator lines,
sre collecting and receiving for the refrigeration
OF fruit and vegetables lower rates from some
shippers than they are contemporaneously re-
ceving for similar service rendered to other
shippers. This is held TO be in violation of Sec
tions and > of The Act to Regulate Interstate
Commerce.
Another charge is that failure and neglect 10
publish al shipping stations and file with the
Interstate Commerce Commission the rates and
charges imposed for the refrigeration of fruits
and vegetables constitute a violation of Section
o Of the Interstate Commerce Act. The COM
mission alleges further that the charges pub
liShed jointly by the refrigerator lines and the
railroads for the refrigeration of fruits in Ger
tain specified territories are unrea asonable and
unjust and in violation of Section l. The terri
tories described are Missouri, Arkansas, Indian
Territory. Texas California, TO Eastern points;
Louisiana and Kansas. and Georgia. South Caro-
lima and North Carolina. TO New-York.
Complaints against the private car lines eX-
tend over the entire life Of the first act to regu-
late interstate commerce and all acts amenda-
tory thereto. Hearings have been had in vari-
Gus parts OF the country, and not infrequently
have changes in the schedules been made for
the announced purpose Of remeoying alleged
abuses. Combinations Of railroads and private
car lines have prevented any wholesale regula-
ton of these rates. Charges of determinations
commission for number of years. The matter
has been made the subject Of investigation by
Congress committees and several laws have
been passed giving increased powers to the COM
mission in effort to reach alleged combina-
1ionS said 10 be prGhibitiYe Of the small shipper
entering into competition with shippers leasing
by the year large numbers Of private cars.
The action taken by the Interstate Commerce
Commission now indicates a belief that certain
cases set forth in the proceedings can be reached
under the present laws. In any event, the pro-
Ceedings are looked upon as a test, and il is
informing Congress what new laws are needed
Tor national control Of private car lines where
combinations are made with railroads which
affect the freight and refrigerator schedules.