New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1905-12-07

changing rates. Mr.. Townsend made the fsl1owin,
explanation Of tire measure:
Tho bill expresses the ideas Of she President in his
message. and viii. IL enacted into law, amend the
Interstate Commerce law to make Il rnors
carriers SINNERS PRODUCERS and cn2sI1roars ' I
amends the law to embrace within the
powers of the commission all interstate carriers
Of interstate and foreign commerce. whether b,
railroads or partly by railroads and partly ~
water, and includes specifically IN the term trans
portaton all cars, vehicles, ventilation, Tefrigera-
ton, elevation transfer storage and all other IA
clltties and instrumentatfes OF shipment and car
riase, well terminal. siding and Industrial
tracks thus giving the commission authority ave
the so-called private car and other agencies.
II enlarSeS the interstate CoInmerce CommisEi0n
to seven members. increases the length OF Their
term of Office to seven years and their salaries 10
SlO.tC9 This Is done ct the PRESIDENTS suggestion
as the increased power conferred upon the com
and require the best men obtainable. This com
mission will compel the establishment OF joint and
through rates for interstate traffic and abolish a.
custom which exists in some cases OF billing ship-
ments within the borders of a State and then con-
7 seeks, to abolish the so-called midnight rate
evil by enlarging the time in which published a.
scheduled rate can be changed 10 sixty davs ~
compels the carrier 10 itemize its schedules aaa
rates in accordance with the instructions Of ths
commission This schedule must also show TIE
division Of fares or charges between so-caIed
trunk or through lines and terminal or industrial
The bill also provides that the commission shan
ing all cases brought before it. It contains prsc
bill which authorizes the commission upon cor ON
plant and after full hearing TO determine whsther
rate regulation is reasonable or unres gonsbi
and II unreasonable. TO substitute the reasonable
maximum rate IN its stead. and it may order both
the relation Of rates when it finds that courss
charges, and such order or the commission sbsTnl
60 into effect within thirty days after it is made
This same provision applies also joint rates an
where the carriers parties 70 such Joint rates al
sion NAV eterie Inc s6 % t o same same the commits
II also provides for rehearing upon any orss-
ton OF either party 10 the case In ease tbs pie
TIer is dissatisfied with any order Of the cornr1is
federal court Of the judicial district i'm which /,
has Its principal operating office, alleging that the
order of the commission Is unlawful. and prayirg
ition is fled it is the dutv OF the Atfr seca - De-
eral % give notice as provided under the Expsd'-
consisting Of three circuit Judges or tvo i2;
judges and district judge shan proceed dirs,t
determine the lawfuIness OF the cOmrnissiorfs
order. in which case the commission Is the de-
the defence Either party TO. the proceedings may
appeal from the decision OF the Expedition Court
directly to the Supreme Court. No provision is
made for sUspending either the order Of the com
the court whether expressly permitted ty the BIN
or not, would have the power TO enjoin any order
II the proper showing IS made that the order o.
The bill also provides that the commission shall
have authority to designate and employ special
agents and examiners. empowered to administer
oaths, examine witnesses and receive evidence: this
also is done 70 expedtate business before the com
mission
ports from the railroads of every detail OF their
business and business relations, showing receipts
anu NiSot SelUlite OH pt-N1t " OLE
wise. and gives the commission power TO require
specified methods Of keeping accounts and OF max
ing reports. The bill also authorizes the commits
sion 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.
tentfon to three matters which should be included
in any measure to amend the Interstate Commerce
law.
Ffrst-To provide against so-caIled midnight
rates.
Second-To empower the commission 10 tx, upon
complaint and fun hearing. a reasonable maximum
rate in place Of found by the commission 20 be
unreasonable and have IL go into early effect
Third-To compel the widest publicity OF railroad
bookkeeping and methods.
This the new Esch-Townsend bill fully accom-