The watchman and southron. [volume] (Sumter, S.C.) 1881-1930, 1906-09-05
POINTS OF RATE BILL.
The Law That Congress Enacted to
Control the Railroads.

The Interstate Commerce Commis-
sion, which is enlarged to consist of
seven members, shall have control of
the making Of all rates, the fixing OF
all tariff schedules and the hearing Of
all complaints bearing on the subject
OF railroads and pipe line transporta-
ton The commission shall at all
times have free access to all books
and papers kept by common carriers.
A fine of $500 for every day OF con-
tinual refusal to give the commis-
sion this access shall be imposed on
offending corporations or concerns.
Oh, 1ence to Be Enforced.
If any common carrier disobeys an
order Of the commission, except for
the payment OF money, United States
courts shall enforce obedience by in
junction or other process. Appeals to
the United States Supreme Court in
such cases shall have priority in hear
ing over all except criminal causes
No Injunction restraining an order of
the commission shall be granted ex-
cept after five days notice to the
commission, =
Special agents or examiners en-
powered to administer oaths and ex-
anime witnesses shall be appointed
by the commission. Any examiner
who divulges any facts or information
under such circumstances, except as
directed. shall be fined not more than
$1,000 or imprisoned for not more
than two years or both.
To Take Effect in Thirty Days.
All orders Of the Interstate Com
merce Commission, except those for
tht payment of money, shall take ef-
feet within not less than thirty days.
Whenever common carriers fail to
agree upon an order Of the commls-
sion relative to a division Of rates or
fares the commission shall settle the
question at issue.
Every common carrier must make
an annual report to the commission
giving in detail all facts and figures
connected with its operation, profit
and loss. issuing and sale of stock,
rates. salaries paid and moneys col
lected and disbursed.
Failures to make an annual report
involves a fine Of 500 for every day
after the expiration of thirty days
following the time when such reports
should have been presented.
For making false entries or destroy
ing or altering the books of a COM
mon carrier the guilty person shall be
fined not less than $1,000 nor more
than $4,000. or Imprisonment for a
term not less than one year nor more
than three years, or both.
Railroads Must Give Up.
After May 1, 1908, no railroad COM
pany can transport from one State or
territory to another, or to any for
eign county, any commodity MANI
facfured, mined or produced by the
railroad company or under its au-
thority, or which it may partly. own
or have any interest in, other than
timber and the manufactured pro-
ducts Of timber.
Upon application of any branch
railroad. or any shipper, a railroad
shall construct and operate on rea-
sonable terms necessary switch con-
ynection and shall furnish cars for the
business of such shipper.
Every common carrier shall post
conspicuously and file with the COM
mission schedules of rates and fares
between points on its own line ana
on other lines with which it has con-
nection. No change snail be made in
these rates without thirty days no
tice to the public and to the COM
mission. a fine of not less ahan ST.
900 nor more than $4,000 is imposed
for each failure to comply with this
law.
Fines for Rebates,
For offering, soliciting, giving or ac-
cepting rebates or favors the penalty
in addition to a fine Of not less than
$1,000 nor more than $4,000 shall al
so be imprisonment in the peniten-
tiary for not more than two years at
the discretion of the court.
Where railroads offer or shippers
accept rebates, the offending party
shall not only forfeit three times the
amount of money received and ac-
cepted. but ali rebates accepted tor
six wears pr:or shall be included in
the amount.
Any railroad, or its officers, which
fails to obey any orders of the COM