Richmond planet. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1883-1938, 1906-05-26
EFFECT OF THE
RATE BILL
VIII be More Reaching Than
Any Law of Recent Years.
RESTRICTIONS on CARRIERS


Washington. MAY 23.-With the rail
road rate bill out of the way pressure
for the adjournment of congress is
beginning to be fclt The house com
mittee having sent the bin Co confer
ence. IL IS believed an adjournment
viii soon be reached
The most important provision OF the
act conicrs on the interstate commerce
commission the authority. on COM
plant. TO oxamin. into any charge or
practice OF carrier alleged 90 bee un-
just. and when such allegation is sus-
tanned 90 prescribe what shall be a
Just and reasonable maximum rate or
charge. regulation or practice.
The act defines as common carriers
owners OF pipe lines engaged In the
transportation of ou cr other cOmmod-
fly. except water and natural or arti-
fetal gas. also Sleeping car and ex-
press companies and all forms OF pri-
waite cars. terminals. switches and
spur tracks.
Free Passes Forbidden.
The issuance ol passes or free trans
portation in any form To- an persons.
except employees or carriers and their
families and certain exempted classes.
IS forbidden. and penalty OF not less
than Sl00 nor more than $4,000 Is pro
vided. not only iar the person issuing
such free Transportation but also for
the person applyiuc for OF accepting IL.
Common carrier are prohibited on
and after May I. f19S. from transport
lnr across and state or territorial line
any article or commodity other than
timber and tho manufactured products
thereof manufactured mined or pro
duced 10y 90 or under its authority.
They are required 90 construct and OPP
crate upon reasonable terms sidetrocks
and switch lines and to furnish cars
Tor the movement or traffic without
discrimination and Co furnish equally
good accommodations 90 an persons
paying tho same fare.
Carriers must print and post in con
spicuous places an tariffs and charges.
and such charges cannot be changed
without 3N days notice Co the public
and 60 tho Interstate commerce com
I mission. except where the commission
valves such notice. They are required
in time OF war or threatened war. on
demand of the president 90 give pref
ercnce and precedence 90 the Transport
taton OF troops and munitions OF war.
Every person. company or corporation.
whether carrier or shipper. Is prohib-
itet from Offering. granting. giving So
4 hciung. accepting OF receiving any re-
bate. preference or discrimination.
Heavy Penalties For Violations.
Heavy penalties. and in some In
stances Imprisonment are prescribed
for violation OF the provisions Of the
act individuals and corporations alike
20 be held guilty OF misdemeanor for
any violation willfuliy committed. and
q the corporations and individuals are
/ held responsible for the acts OF any
i agent Failure 10 publish tariff entails
a fine OF NOT less than $1,000 and not
more than 100000
Granting OF accepting OF rebates or
Kindred destinations entails fine
d or not less than $1,000 and not more
than $4,000. and the Individual guilty
Z or such act is liable 10 Imprisonment
4 Tor not moro than two years In addition
/ 20 the me, IN the discretion OF the
. court
any shipper VINO williully accepts a
rebate or examination must In addi-
4 ZION 20 lhe ABOVE penalues' pay 10 the
3 Onl'su states Jhree tunes the value OF
& sue" rebate OF discrimination and the
"''o'h'y general Is required 10 brlng
/ ol'l' sun 10 recover TINS penalty when