New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1906-01-18
MR.. ELKINS'S RATE BILL
ENLARGES COMMISSION.
Unreasonable Charges To Be Cor
rected Through Resort to Courts.

Washington. Jan. Ex-senator Elkins. chair
man of the Committee on Interstate Commerce,
has made public the bill for the regulation Of
railroad rates which he purposes to offer for the
consideration of Congress. He does not say that
it is perfect, but declares it is the best he can
do. He says the railroads are not satisfied with
it and he has not learned what other interests
will think of it. The commission IS increased
from to nine members. Expenses Of It'll
cation are to be borne by the United States. The
bill has not been completed, but the section re-
lating to the fixing of rates embodies most Of
the important features and is follows:
That whenever the Interstate Commerce Commits
sion shall be of the opinion that reasonable grounds
exist for believing that any rate. fare or charge
carriers for any Transportation or other service
Subject to ga6 a PRe2so is Unjust and or
reasonable. or that any such carrier or carriers
engaged in any other practice be doing other
act in violation OF any pEoyison OF any OF sag
gate suit or proceeding in equity in the Gi5G {d
Of ny CARRIER q defendant IN the suit or proceeding
shall be located 70 restrain such carrier or carriers
or from continuing such unjust discrimination or
other unlawful act or practice The commission IN
ceeding upon It's own motion or upon the applicas-
the matter Complained Of and the commission shall
not be required before insttuttng any such sup or
therein or grant a hearing or make report. find
ing, Recommendation, decision or ordeT IN respset
shall have power before insituting any such suit or
proceeding to make such investigation as II may
Any suit or proceeding authorized By this to act
the matters Complained Of. and any. parties inter
sstsd in such matters ay oe ha and
such suit proceeding speeoy Without inc tSrt!
P Pn eo afS d 9Pon such notice to
defendants the court shall deem % eg!
and to this end the court may cause sVloence 10 OS
Safsh P sao6 snsn the
1t it be made to appear 10 me c4gr onaIajneg
Of in such suit proceeding is unjust and ., un
or that d the 2 rs ens Is IN any SUCH
other practice is doing any such otneT act IN
Seoree msndatory or otherwise restrain and enjon
such carrier from Or from continung such unjust
discrimination or such other unlawful act prac-
tce on or after nS dsH 50 ct the Of
the carrier on before SUCH aas 10 pGt m 1919
in substitution 70 that restrained Or required to be
In case any carrier shall fail. within the time
specified in such order or decree. to put In foIce
tom for that restrained Or required 70 be changed
in any such substt Itea rae rare or d @
rPeasonabe or otherwise unlawful. the commission
shall hd aS SeE s9T HR4h hearing or in its
cretion upon further evidence and hearing before
e eae to modfy the Original or substituted
F Fn fare for oe In ea hsreof Just and
rate prescribed in such order of the commission:
any original or substituted rate. fare or charge TO
greater extent tnan sha De IN or
o ofhe erii unlsw a1ii 1 thereof,
such order of the commission is take effect
not less than ten days after notice thereof to the
carrier and is effective one year. The carrier
bv that date must modify its published rates.
etc, and while such order is In effect is pro-
hibited from establishing putting in force any
cd change
arcass of that prescribed. Any carrier, officer,
commemorative or agent of a carrier. or any re-
ceiver trustee lessee agent of any OF them
who knowingly violates any such order of the
commission is to forfeit to the United States
81 600 for each day of violation. The court may
order the payment Of reasonable costs and coun-
sci fees Any injunction or other order or decree
in any such suit proceeding may be reopened'
modified or vacated by the court at any time
mon notice to the parties affected thereby.
Anv party to the proceeding may appeal from
= 6naI decree within sixty days to the Supreme
Court of the United States; but this Will not stay
- ,re-se6e the decree or the execution Of any
writ or process thereon unless the Circuit Court
or a Justice of the Supreme Court shall so order:
~ onnaaI is allowed to the Circuit Court or
tD2eals Every such suit shall have the same
nracedence as II brought by the United states.
Otber sections empower the commission TO
80 tba hooks of common carriers examined by
er+nert accountants; 10 employ special agents TO
tnTastieate suspected rebates and to provide pun
isbTnen+ for rebate giving or receiving accord
;ng 70 existing statutes; provide for the icing Of
rafriserator cars in transit and pubncatlon OF
tas for such service; prohibit the issuance OF
masses sale OF tickets or transportation OF pas
eengers at a less or greater compensation than
ragIIlarly established rates. provided this does
- iotareere with the use Of mileage commute
ton or excursion tickets or free passes or re
duced rates to persons employed In caring for
livestock in transit to ministers destitute or IN
dteent persous or charity patients, employees or
eIcjaIs of railroads and members Of their fam
lilies 49, =. -. TO-.
aeraements 10 establish maintain rates II first
annroved by the commission, and TO select the
connecting lines for forwarding shlpihents- E S
tstine statutes regarding procedure before the
commission concerning complaints are amended.
,mpAiE7 ON POLE MAY LIVE