The Bamberg herald. [volume] (Bamberg, S.C.) 1891-1972, 1906-05-24
RATE BILL PASSED
Measure Adopted in Senate
by Whooping Majority.
ONLY THREE NAY VOTES
More Power Given Interstate Com.
merce Commission and Peoples
Rights Are Safeguarded-5ad
Feeling Cissi2ated.


After seventy days Of almost con-
tinuous de]jberation, by a vote OF II
to the senate late Friday afternoon
passed the railway rate regulation
bill, thus placing upon the statute
books the law Strengthening the hands
of the interstate commerce commits
sion.
While this. new law is the embod-
iment of democratic principles, its
passage is in large measure due to
the activities and energies of Presi-
dent Roosevelt With but seven
votes against it in the house and but
three in the senate, this new law caI-
not be construed as partisan 1eglsI;,-
ton in any sense. 1t reflects the pop-
ular desire.
Supplementing, as this does, the
original interstate commerce law, un-
Ger which many abuses have been reg
ulated, and the anti-rebate law, under
which so many successful prosecu-
tions against rebating haye-especial-
ly within the past two years-been
conducted, this new law places in
the hands of the federal authorities
full power for the regulation Of all
abuses in interstate commerce that
has been complained of, including
now the power to fix and establish
just and reasonable rates, and this
new law represents an important ad-
vance In legislation.
Under it, the interstate commerce
commission is given full power to
regulate such determinations in in
terstate commerce as the shippers
of the country, have long been COM
planning, and justly, for without the
power to fix a just and reasonable
rate--the railroads rate having, upon
investigation, been found unjust and
unreasonable - the ct nmission has
been helpless.
AS it passes the senate the bill
in so far as it relates to the rate
making power of the commission, is
practically unchanged. The senate
has, however, added some important
features. By amendments it has re-
moved doubts where they occurred,
it has safeguarded the constitution
ality of the measure in several i'm
portant particulars; it has added pro-
visions aimed at the evil of railroads
owning and dealing in coal and other
products; it has put pipe lines, ex-
press companies, and sleeping car
companies within the purview of the
act. it has restored the Imprisonment
penalties, which had been stricken
out By the Elkins law; it has provid
ed additional and severe penalties
uLon consigners and consignees,w which
force Or take rebates from the rail-
roads, this provision being aimed par
ticularly at the great trusts such as
Standard Oil; it has given the COM
mission the power to compel railroads
to put in switches to connect with
the private tracks of shippers; it has
provided that the courts shall not
hold up the commissicn's rates on ex-
parte hearings, but no temporary in
junction or interlocutory decree shall
be granted until after five days no
tice to the commission and after a
hearing before three judges, this be-
Ing the Bacon amendment.
1t is expected that the house will
accept these senate amendments
without change, as they all tend to
strengthen the bill as it came frorl
the house.
With the final passage Of the bill
by the senate, peace and happiness
has been restored in that body.
All the factional differences and
bitterness developed in the heat of ne
gotiation ard debate have been forgot
ten.
The three negative votes were cast
by Senator Foraker, republican, Of
Ohio, and Senators Morgan and Pet
tus, democrats, Of Alabama.