Los Angeles herald., 1905-12-07

establishment of Joint and true rates
for interstate traffic and abolish the
custom In some cases OF billing ship
ments within the boroughs of a state.
then compelling a reshipment.
ut seeks to abolish the so-called mid
rate evil by enlarging the time In which
a published or scheduled rate can he
changed to sixty days and compels the
carrier to itemize its schedules and
rates In accordance with the recon-
mendations of the commission.
"The bill also provides that the com
mission shall decide promptly and with
In ninety days after hearing all cases
brought before it. It contains practic-
cally the same provision OF the Esch-
Townsend bill which authorized the
commission on complaint and full hear
ing to determine whether rate or
regulation is reasonable or unreason-
able, and If unreasonable to substitute
the reasonable maximum rate I'm its
stead, and II may order both a maxi
mum and minimum rate in cases In
volving the relation of rates when "
finds that course necessary to enforce
application of differential charges. and
such order of the commission shall GO
into effect within thirty days after II Is
made. This same provision applies
also TO Joint rates and where the car
riers party to such joint rate fail to
agree on the division Of the same the
commission may determine the share of
each carrier.
AccomplIshes Presidents Wishes
ut also pro Divides for rehearlng up
OH any order which the commission
has made upon the application of either
party In the case. In case the carrier
Is dissatisfied with an order of the
commission II can on petition begin
proceedings in the federal court of the
judicial district In which It and its
principal operating Office are located,
alleging that the order Of the commits
sion is unlawful and praying that 1t
be vacated and set aside.
1.-THE bill also provides that the com
mission shall have authority to desig-
nate and employ special agents and
examiners empowered to administer
oaths, examine witnesses and receive
evidence. This is also done to expedite
business before the commission.
The bill also provides for the fullest
possible reports from the railroads of
every detail of their business and
business relations, showing receipts,
disbursements, all contracts, private or
otherwise, and gives the commission
power to require specified methods of
keeping accounts and of making re-
ports. The bill also authorizes the com
mission and it's agents to inspect at
any time all books of accounts, records,
memorandums of contracts and i'm
poses fines and imprisonment for keep
ing and reporting anything but true
and full records and for Withholding
anything from the commission.
1.-THE president In his message
calls particular attention to three
matters which should be included
in any measure to amend the in
terstate commerce law First, to
provide against so-called mis-rates;
second, to empower the commission
with authority to fix upon complaint
and full hearing a reasonable maxi
mum rate in place Of one found by the
commission to be unreasonable and to
have 1t going into early effect; and,
third, to compel the widest publicity
of railroad bookkeeping and methods
made This the Esch-Townsend bill
fully accomplishes"