New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1906-01-05
NEW RATE BILLS OFFERED
DIR. Hepburn's Broad Definition OF
TRANSFORMATION.

Washington, Jan 4-Representatfve Hepburn. of
Iowa, to-day introduced his railroad rate bill,
which had been anxiously awaited as Mr.. Hepburn
IS chairman of the Interstate and Foreign COM
rnerce Committee of the house The bill is similar
TO the Doiver bill, and embraces in modined
form many features OF the measures recently pre-
pared by the Interstate Commerce Commission It
is more comprehensive than any measure previous
" introduced. and in Mr.. Hepburn's opinion. 1t is
so framed that will satisfactorily regulate refrig
orator cars, do away with midnight tariffs and
abolish other alleged inJustces aimed at by the
pending bills The bill increases the Interstate Com
rnerce Commission to nine members, and fixes the
salary OF each at $4,000 Its most essential
departure from the other bills is its greatly en-
Iarged definition OF transportation" used in the
act The word is defined follows
Transportation shall include cars and other We
hicies and all instrumentalites and facilities Of
shipment or carriage irrespective OF oWnersniP
thereof, and all services in connection WIN Inc
cept delivery, elevation and transfer IN transIt;
ventilation, refrigeration or icing5 storage ana
handling OF property transported
After defining transportation. the bill providesi
And it shall be the duty Of every carrier sub
ject TO the provisions OF this act TO proVlqe sGc
and to establish through routes and Just and rsa-
sonable rates applicable thereto
This provision requiring railroads 10 furnish icing
and other facilities is regarded by M Hepburn
as strong feature Of the measure. 1t is also pro-
vided that the commission is 20 have authority to
fix a maximum rate. Midnight tariffs" are TO be
abolished by provision that no schedule is 10 De
changed without thirty days notice
A bill following the outlines of plan proposed
by Judge Grosscup. OF Chicago, for the settlement
OF complaints unjust rates and practices in rail-
road transportation was introduced to-day py
Representative Hogg, Of Colorado. 1t provides for
the abolition Of the present Interstate Commerce
Commission ana the substitution therefor OF
transportation commission. consisting CT three menu
bers in whom are be vested all the powers OF the
present commission and whom is cast the duty
Of proceeding in the nane Of the United states
In a special transportation court when they snail
have reasonable grounds for belief that the law Is
being violated for the purpose OF securing cor
rection OF the particular rate practice The sps-
ciaI court is to consist Of seven members 1nTee
are to be new appontees and four are to be desig-
mated from the existing circuit courts. The court
Is TO sit at such places the public convenience
requires and from the decision OF the court IN
general term appeals on points OF law ne py
writ Of certiorart to the Supreme Court OF tne
United States. The bill provides for the pu6hci1y
of accounts and methods of keeping the same ana
makes owners and operators of private cars sup D.
tect 10 the provisions Of the act The purpose OF
the bill IS preserve all the benefits Of the pres
emf commission IN the capacity OF aroiCrators IN
disputes between the carriers and users OF traFs
portation and 10 provide effective machinery Lor
the enforcement OF remedies against carrier VINO
fails TO lines marked out by thu transporta-
ton commission.