Daily capital journal. (Salem, Oregon) 1903-1919, 1906-11-19
oregon
| RAILROAD
COMMISSION
Bill Prepared Providing For
lis Creation and Defining
Its Duties

A bill will be offered and its pas.
age urged upon the legislature OF
Dregon at It's next session to control
ommon carriers in this state. and
|or that purpose to create an Ore
Ion railroad commission that shall
have power to regulate the railroads
Flthln the state. In response TO the
bubble demands for such a law, the
transportation committee of the
Portland Chamber OF Commerce has
trawn q bill, and copies of the same
have been submitted to the governor,
hembers Of the legislature and OFF,
ars Of various public bodies. who
| aye been asked to examine and
bake suggestions concerning It, in
rlting, by November %.
IA J. y. Teal. attorney for the COM
jhittee, in letter submitting copies
u the bill 10 state. officers, says:
a HThat the business of the common
barriers Is Of so public a character.
fnd the interest Of the general pub
lc therein so vital as to warrant and
emand proper supervision, to pre-
ent extortion and unjust discrimlna-
Ion, cannot be doubted, either as a
4natter Of law or policy. Today Ore
BON stands practically alone, being
pne OF a small group of less impor-
|ant states making no effort TO regu-
late the rates or practices of their
fommon carriers"
What IL Provides For.
II provides for reciprocal demur-
fage, requires that adequate equip
lnent be furnished and adequate SER
ice rendered. and that all charges
7or transportation of persons and
property must be reasonable and
ust' Unjust and unreasonable
fharges are decided unlawful. and
Ms provision applies also 10 joint
|a'es Discrimination, giving and
accepting rebates are prohibited un-
per heayy penalties, as is the giving
pI an undue and unreasonable prefer
fhee and the taking of compensation
0'her than specified in the lawful
''hedules. An anti-pass provision is
Incorporated, excepting from its op-
sration the privileged persons listed
"a either the interstate or Wisconsin
lets.
Every railroad is required, under
NE provisions of section 90 file on
ae hrst Monday in February each
rear a verified list OF railroad passes.
mileage books and tickets issued free
! Tor any other than actual bona
'ae money consideration at full es-
aohshed rates during the preceding
var together with the names OF the
seipients thereof the amounts re-
e'Fed therefor and reasons for Issu-
ng same.
section Fl of the bill gives wide
Autude to the railroads in the is
aAhee Of free transportation 10 EN-
l0Ses for charity. making excursion
o'her reduced rates, etc.
hemedy for Car Shortage.
me committee in considering a |
.meay for the car shortage evils
sat nave cursed Oregon and infiict-
untold injury upon its industries
the last few years. has accepted
! 'eeiprocal demurrage plan. Their
e'nod does not. however, contem-
a'e any Incorporation of rigid rules
- uemurrage penalties in the law
The railroad commission is
oe furnished with a flexible law
- VIII authorize and direct 1t to
leeiproeal demurrage rules and
I. s1'atlons' and carry them into ef
~ " Is feared that TO incorporate
~ me law specific figures and rules
y u, prove TO be unconstitutional.
49,. ne courts, in so declaring. might
'oate the entire act.
One Sweeping Section.
lion s''on IL OF the proposed law Is
-. sssse sweeping terms: I
-'ery railroad Is hereby required
'nfniSh reasonahl. .~.on.e. .a-.