Wausau pilot. [volume] (Wausau, Wis.) 1896-1940, 1906-07-10

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 is.hmian 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 routes 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 are prohibited from engaging il
production or any other business than trans
portation, such as coal mining, but pipe
lines are excluded from this provision.
1t provides that ali rates shall be just
and reasonable and it gives the interstate
commerce commission full power, upon com
plant and after full hearing, to fix 9
reasonable and just maximum rate which
shall take effect within thirty days and
shall remain in force for two years unless
changed by the commission or set aside by
the courts. 1t increases the number OF
commissioners from four to seven. make:
their terms seven years and raises theil
salaries to $4,000.
Violations of the orders OF the commits
sion, If knowingly committed, may be pun
ished by fine of $4,000 day, each day
constituting separate Offense and enforce
ment OF the orders of the commission MAY
be secured either through injunctions oil
mandamus.
1t provides for a limited review by the
courts of the orders of the commission
but no injunction or decree restraining the
enforcement of an order may be granted ex
cept after not less than five DAYS notice tc
the commission. Either party may take APP
peals from the orders of the commission
from the lower ederal court to the Su
preme Court.
The railroad bill further provides the
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 kept
by common carriers and may have access
to the same at all times.
Common carriers are required within rea
son to make switch connections with lateral
branches and private side tracks and tC
furnish cars without discrimination. If this
provision is violated shippers NAV bring
complaint before the commission. All com
mon carriers are required to file with the
commission copies of all contracts and agree
ments for shipment of property made with
other companies. 1t limits free Transports
tion to certain specified persons, and it pro
hibits rebates and determinations of all
kinds. Every person or corporation. wheth
or 81 on fsttc I,r
is found guilty of giving, receiving or soic
iting rebates or determinations may be
fined from 1000 to $4,000 and imprisoned
for not more than two years. The act is
to go into effect within sixty days
Pure Food.
The pure food bill defines adulterated anC
mislabeled articles of food and drugs anC
prohibits their introduction from one state
or territory into any other state or terri
tory. 1t stipulates that the bureau of chem
istry of the Department of Agriculture shall
examine specimens Of food and drugs tC
determine whether they are misbranded OF
adulterated. If drugs differ from standards
in strength, quality or purity as fixed in
the national fOrmulary they will be held tC
be adulterated. Confectionery will be de
clared adulterated if it contains any color
Ing matter or ingredient deeterous tC
health, and food will be held adulterated
If it contains any substance reducing its
quality Or strength. Preservatives may be
applied externally when directions for their
removal are printed on the package As
to labels, the law provides that drugs OF
foods will be considered misbranded if they
are falsely described by their labels. On
imported goods, false labels will prevent ad
mission into the United States The law
provides that the Secretary of Agriculture
shall determine the wholesomeness or un
whoiesomeness of preservatives, but does not
set any standards for fNbd. Wherever he
finds that the law is being violated in any
n no nj ~ tn ri y
the facts to the United States District At
tOrney for the district in which the viola
ton occurred, and the District Attorney
will then proceed against the offender as
against any other violator of a federal
statute.
Meat Inspection.
The meat inspection law provides for gov
eminent inspection of all meats and meat
products put on the markets by the pack.
ing houses of the country Cattle sheep
signs of disease before they are slaughtered
If they are found TO be diseased they are
to be slaughtered separately, and the car
casses are to be given a special examina-
ton by the government inspectors. All
:arcasses found to be sound, healthful and fl
for human food are to be tagged Inspected
and passed" Otherwise they will be tagged
inspected and condemned" and in that
event must be destroyed in the presence OF
the government inspector.
second inspection may be had after
the first to see if the meat has become
unfit for human food since the saughtering
and a third inspection must be made of all
meat food products, the inspection to fol
low the product into the can other recep.
tacle in which it is marketed, until the
same Is sealed.
All slaughtering and packing establish
ments must be inspected by expert sani
tary inspectors and kept in perfect sanitary
condition according to rules and regulations
drawn up by the government, and govern
ment inspectors are given the right to enter
any part of any establishment at any and
all times. AS to labels, all meat food prod
ucts which are marketed in cans, canvas OF
other receptacles must have attached to ii
a label which shall state the contents, the
tagging TO be done under the supervision
of a government inspector.
Panama Canal.
The Panama canal act provides for a
lock type of canal. instead of a sea-level
water way BY joint resolution supplies
are to be purchased in the American market
unless the President determines that the
bids of domestic producers are eXtOrtionate
and unreasonable For continuing the work
on the canal S42.300,000 has been appro
priated, $16.500.000 being deficiency appro
priations and S26.000,000 for work during
the fiscal year 1907. In addition steps are
being taken for the issuance of the canal
bonds authorized by the Spooner act, which
may be issued from time TO time TO the
extent of S130,000. 900. These bonds are to
have the rights and privileges of other
per cent bonds of the United States.
Joint Statehood.
The statehood bill merges Oklahoma and
Indian territories into one State, and pro
vides that the seat of government shall ne
10 vote on a site for a capital Tie az
stipulates that the new State is TO be ad