The Birmingham age-herald. [volume] (Birmingham, Ala.) 1902-1950, 1906-08-26
Hepburn Act Goes Into Effect at
Midnight Tomorrow
SUMMARY OF CONTENTS
Deals With All Matters of Traffic-ln-
terestne Question In Regard to
Free Passes and Their
Time Limit.

and freight.
The bill and its Interpretation are in
terestlng railroad men more just now
than anything else In the railroad world.
and it is affecting the transportation
companies and the people more than
any previous legislation along that line
has ever done.
AS a result of the conferences be-
tween the railroad men and the attor-
neys for the railroads recently, the traf-
fic officials have learned the letter of
the law and they propose to abide by 1t
/ In every way.
Different railroads have put different
constructions on certain clauses of the
act but these differences are of minor
Importance and will adjust themselves
later
Passes Abolished.
The most interesting feature of the new
law is the matter of free transportation
or passes. The bill abolshes interstate
passes entirely and is very strict In re-
gard to the issuing of them? 1t even
specifies that 1t Is an infringement of
the law to issue or to use an inter
state pass when 1t provides for trans
portation for even portion of an in
terstate trip.
Some of the railroads are putting the
pass clause of the act into effect to-
morrow night when the other sections
go into effect. but the law specifically
states that the pass clause shall not
go into effect until January l. 1907. Some
of the companies say however, that the
entire law may as well become effective
at once and have decided to shut off all
passes.
The passenger officials of several lines
in Atlanta have issued circular letter
to the newspapers of the state, inform
ing them that on and after August %
no passes or free mileage will be is
sued The matter of putting this clause
of the law into effect on August 2S is
optional with each railroad, but all must
comply with that clause after this year.
A number of letters have been re-
celved in Birmingham from high official
of railroads in reply to requests for
transportation, stating that they would
issue the passes, but that the time limit
was August Is, and that no passes would
| be issued after that date.
However other railroad men are issu-
ing passes just as freely as ever and are
putting the usual 80 go or 80 day limit
on them, but none of them are dated be-
| yond January 81. No instructions have
been received by the transportation men
of the various railroads in Birmingham
informing them that no passes must be
issued with time limit after tomorrow
night, but several traffic men have re-
ceived such instructions. especially in re-
/ gard to passes issued on newspaper con-
| tracts.
Traffic Men Busy.
| All the traffic men of the various rail-
roads are busy getting up their tariffs
from various points on the line, pub
fishing them and preparing to post them
at each station on the line, as provided
| by law The interstate commerce COM
mission has notified the railroad men
that they would not be held to the strict
! letter of the law in this matter for a
few days, the time has been limited
| in which to make provision for their
tariffs and files, and that the commission
would be lenient for a short while.
Special tariff cases. showing both pas
senger and freight tariffs, are being con-
structed for all the railroads and be-
ing placed in every station These files
or cases are placed where the public
can find them at any time with ease.
They show all tariffs and rates applying
from that station on interstate traffic.
The following is an epitome of the act
showing the things the law allows and
those it prohibits:
Things Forbidden.
| The law forbids-
Charging one person more than another
for transporting like kinds of traffic.
Giving any person. community or class
of traffic any undue advantage.
Restriction of interchange in traffic with
any connecting line.
Charging more for short than for long
| haul.
Pooling.
Changing rates without legal notice.
Devlations from tariffs filed with Inter
state Commerce commission.
Offering. giving. soliciting or receiving
|
by any device.
] Keeping records other than prescribed
| by commission, or altering or falsifyipg
| of records.
After May 1. 1908, no carrier may trans
port articles or commodities, except tim
Der, which it produces, or in which 1t has
any interest. other than Its necessary sup
plies.
Things Required.
The law requires
The printing, filing and posting of tar
| ifs, which must contain the established
rates. including terminal charges. etc
and any other rules, etc., which effect the
rates.
| Filing with Interstate Commerce COM
mission of all contracts or agreements
with other carriers which in any way eff.
! feet any such rates.
Carriers to furnish all instrumentalities
of transportation.
Connection with branch lines or private
sidings.
Preference to transportation of troops
| threatened war.
| Things Permitted.
The law permits
Reduced rates to ministers of religion.
Free or reduced rates of freight for the
United States, city or municipal govern
ments, charitable purposes, and fairs and
| expeditions.