The Plymouth tribune. (Plymouth, Ind.) 1901-1911, 1906-07-12

In number of laws passed. in size of
appropriations, in length of debates, the
session of Congress just closed was a
-ecord-breaker. Four great laws stand
out as the most important in the recent
history of the country. The railroad rate
bill, the pure food bill, the meat inspec-
ton bill and the isthmian canal bill-each
in itself is a conspicuous piece of con-
structive legislation, but above them all
the rate bill towers as the memorable
achievement of the entire seven months
work.
Railway Rate Regulation.
The bill for the regulation of railway
rates requires all interstate carriers to make
through rcaies and reasonable joint charges
1t sweeps into the category of common car
riers all oil pipe lines, express companies
sleeping car companies and private car lines
Railways prohibited from engaging in
production or any other business than trans.
portation, such as coal mining, but pipe
lines are excluded from this provision
Ii provides that all rates shall be Just
and reasonable. and it gives the interstate
commerce commission full power, upon com
paint and after a full hearing to fix a
reasonable and just maximum rate, which
shall take effect within thirty DAYS and
snail remain in force for two years unless
changed by the commission or set aside BY
the courts 1t increases the number o,
commissioners from four to seven, makes
their terms seven years and raises theil
salaries TO $4,000
Violations of the orders of the commits
sion, II knowingly committed, may be pun
lshed by fine of $4,000 a day, each da,
constituting a separate offense. and enforce
ment or the orders of the commission MAY
be secured either through injunctions OF
mandamus
1t provides for limited review by tn,
courts of the orders of the commission
but no injunction or decree restraining tn,
enforcement of an order may be granted ex
cept after not less than five days notice Il
the commission Either party may take ap
peals from the orders of the commission
from the lower federal court to the Su
preme Court.
The railroad bill further provides tn,
publication Of all rates, fares or charges
and forbids changes except on thirty days
notice The commission has power to di
rect what records and books shall be KEEP
by common carriers and may have acces
to the same at all times.
Common carriers are required within rea
son TO make switch connections with latera
branches and private side tracks and I,
furnish cars without discrimination. If thi
provision Is violated shippers may brinl
complaint before the commission. All com
mon carriers are required TO file with tn
commission copies of all contracts and agree
ments for shipment of property made wit
other companies. 1t limits free transporfa
ton TO certain specified persons, and IL pro
hibits rebates and determinations of al
kinds. Every person or corporation. wheth
nr f4Dr f fAn AA Oh linn
is found guilty of giving. receiving or sole
iting rebates or Determinations may b
fined from $1,000 TO $4,000 and imprisone
for not more than two years. The act |
10 go into effect within sixty days.
Pure Food.
The pure food bill defines adulterated an
mislabeled articles of food and drugs an
prohibits their introduction from one stat
or territory into any other state or terri
tory. 1t stipulates that the bureau of chem
istry of the Department of Agriculture shal
examine specimens of food and drugs I
determine whether they are misbranded o
adulterated- II drugs differ from standard
in strength, quality or purity as fixed Il
the national formuary they will he held {
be adulterated. Confectionery will be dc
clared adulterated If it contains any color
ing matter or ingredient deleterious {
health, and food will be held adulterate
IL Ii contains any substance reducing il
quality or strength. Preservatives may b
applied externally when directions for thei
removal are printed on the package A
TO labels. the law provides that drugs o
foods will be considered misbranded If the
are falsely described by their labels. o
imported goods. false labels will prevent &C
mission into the United States. The la'
provides that the Secretary of Agricultur
shall determine the wholesomeness or ur
wholesomeness of preservatives, but does nc
set any standards for food. Wherever
finds that the law is being violated in an
- IA n
the facts to the United States District Al
torney for the district in which the viola
tion occurred, and the District Attorne
will then proceed against the offender a
against any other violator of fedora
statute
Meat Inspection.
The meat inspection law provides for gov
eminent inspection OF all meats and mea
products put on the markets by the pacl
ing-houses OF the country. Cattle, -heeI
signs of disease before they are slaughtered
IL they are found 10 be diseased they ar
to be slaughtered separately, and the ca
casses are TO be given special examin;
ton by the government inspectors. A
carcasses found to be sound, healthful and
for human food are to be tagged ''Inspecte
and passed. Otherwise they will be tagge
Inspected and condemned" and in tha
event must be destroyed In the presence {
the government inspector.
A second inspection may be had aftt
the first to see If the meat has becon
unit for human food since the slaughterin,
and third inspection must be made of a
meat food products, the inspection to 10
low the product into the can or other recel
tacle In which 1t is marketed, until th
same Is sealed.
All slaughterlng and packing establish
ments must be inspected by expert san
tary inspectors and kept in perfect sanitar
condition according to rules and regulation
drawn up by the government, and govern
ment inspectors are given the right to entt
any part of any establishment at any an
all times. As TO labels, all meat food proc
ucts which are marketed In cans, canvas {
other receptacles must have attached to
label which shall state the contents. I'll
tagging TO be done under the supervisio
Of government Inspector.
Panama Canal.
The Panama canal act provides for
lock type Of canal. instead of sea-lev'
water way. BY joint resolution supple
are to be purchased in the American mark'
unless the President determines that I'll
bids of domestic producers are extortiona'
and unreasonable. For continuing the wor
on the canal S42, 100000 has been appr'
priated, $4,000. 900 being deficiency apr
rriations and S26,000.000 for work durin
the fiscal year 1907. In addition steps al
being taken for the issuance of the can;
bonds authorized by the Spooner act, whic
may be issued from time to time TO II
extent OF 100000 900. These bonds are I
have the rights and privileges of other
per cent bonds of the United States.
Joint Statehood.
The statehood bill merges Oklahoma an
Indian territories into one State, and pr
vides that the seat of government shall
at Guthrie until 1917, when the people al
to vote on a site for a capital. The az
stipulates that the new State is to be az