The diamond drill. (Crystal Falls, Iron County, Mich.) 1887-1996, 1906-06-02
RATE BILL PASSES SENATE
ONLY THREE VOTES CAST IN
OPPOSITION TO MEASURE
Brief Digest of Authority Conferred
on Interstate Commission by
the Bill.

senate. Friday AT ds53 passed the rail-
road rate bin by Ias practically unani-
nous vote OF "a 70 3. The three, mega.
tive votes were east by Senators For
aker Republican, Of. Ohio, aud Morgan
and Pettus. Democrats. Alabana;
There was somewhat larger Attendance
OF senator's than usual, but the attend
ance In the galleries. was by no means
abnormal, and there was no manifesto
ton or any kind when the result was
announced. There )Fas. however. an
almost genefai'sigh OF relief among the
senators.
The principal purpose OF the bill Is
20 permit the interstate commerce
commission 10 fix rates.
A provision comforting this au;hori-
~ is found in the fourth section OF the
bill which amends section IL OF the
Interstate commerce law so as 10 ac-
complish this result That section di-
reefs the commission 10 investigate
complaints OF unjust and unreasonable
charges on the part OF the common
carriers in the transportation OF per-
sons or property or OF regulations or
OF practices affecting such charges. II
also authorizes an inquiry as 10
whether the rates or practices are
'unjustly discriminatory or unduly
preferential or unpreiudlcial or other
wise in violation or the act" and IN
case any OF these conditions are found
to exist the commission IS empowered
20 determine and prescribe what will
be the just and reasonable maximum
rate and what regulation or practice Is
just, reasonable and fair.
Other powers conferred by this sec
ton are: To apportion Joint fares.
establish through routes and maxi
mum Joint rates and prescribe their
division and 10 determine the compen-
sation TO be paid 10 shippers doing
service for carriers
Section 10 OF the present law Is so
changed as 10 provide for an award OF
pecuniary damages TO complainants
found entitled thereto. and IN case
payment Is not promptly made I'm ac-
cordance with this award the bene-
hclary. Is authorized 20 file alit in a
United States circuit court % compel
compliance The finding Of tbe com
mission Is 20 be received ~ prima
facie evidence OF the facts In such
suits and the petitioner Is Alisolyed
from All liability. for costs. &c.
|. Mnothtr-prdvsio6 rcfiders Iesql the
service Of the orders OF the eommis-
Sion through the mails .snd provide
that these orders shall take eject so
days after service unless Suspended or
modified by the commission Ir sus-
peuded or set ASIDE by tho coHfts. a
ienalty OF 5000 for each ofepse in
disobedlencc OF the order Is imposed.
and the penalty IS 70 aGctmulate at
the rate Of s5.60o a day in case on con-
tinuous violation Orders other than.
those for money payments are'to be
enforced by the federal courts through
writs Of mandamus or Injunction. In
case of appeal To the supreme court
these cases ane to be given precedence
over all others except those of a Grim
,inaF charsctet.
The bill was amended by the senate
so ms 70 give Ono United States circuit
courts. jurisdiction 10 entettain suits
brought 20 annul or change rhe orders
II; tie ooppl;slon and 10 provide
against the granting Of introductory
DEGREES without hearings and making
appeals from such orders direct to.the
supreme. court, -.
other provisions extend the dehni-
ton. o5 the. ,yord railroads so as 10
milo ltfnclude switches. spurs. tracks,
tcynRay fertltties, frelgln depots.
yards and grounds and delnos the
word "transportation" so as 10 make Il
embrace cars and other facilities Tor
shipment or carriage. "irrespectve OF
ownership or Of any contract" the In
tehtion being 10 make the railroads
responsible Tor all special car service
II 81 made the duty or carriers 10 fur
nish car service upon reasonable re-
quest
State amendments include oil pipe
lines, express companies and shipping
car companies under the head OF com
mon carriers" and make them amen
able 90 the requirements OF the bill
Other senate notifications prohibit
the issuance OF passes or the granting
OF special fayors 20 one class Of pas
sengers over another, prohibiting rail
road companies from transporting
commodities produced by themselves
require such companies 10 put IN
switches az the reasonable request OK
shippers. prohibits the granting or ac-
ceptanco Of rebates and reinstate the
Imprisonment penalty for violation or
the law
The commission Is given access "a
the accounts OF the companies affected
by the act. but examiners are forbid
den under penalty Of heavy fine and
long imprisonment from divulging the
facts ascertaincd Fines OF $500 for
each failure to keep proper accounts
Is provided
Archbishop ireland in Paris.
Paris. ~ Archbishop Ireland and
Bihsop James McGolrick arrived here