The Washington times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1902-1939, 1906-01-30
HEPBURN BILL NOW
BEFORE THE HOUSE
Rate Measure to Be Voted
on Next Tuesday.
ITS TERMS ARE ENLARGED
Power 10 Initiate Rates Is Not Ac-
corded to the Interstate Commerce
Commission.

The most important of the ten sec
tious OF the Hepburn railroad rate bill
consideration OF which was begun in
the House today. and which will. after
full debate, be brought to vote
week from today, is section I. which
confers the power on the Interstate
commerce commission. to establish a
lust and reasonable. and fairly re
munerative rate, or rates, charge OF
charges, to be thereafter observed in
such cases as the maximum 10 be
charged"
The power to initiate rates is not
given. The section governing this
power. reads as follows:
Power to Change Rate.
That the commission is authorized
and empowered and it shall be its
duty. whenever. after full hearing upon
a complaint made, or upon complaint
Of any common carrier. If shall be OF
the opinion that any Of the rates. or
charges whatsoever, demanded, charged
. or collected by any common carrier or
carriers, subject to the provisions of
this act. for the transportation Of per
sons or property as defined in the first
section OF this act. or that any regu-
lations or practices whatsoever Of such
carrier or carriers affecting such rates,
are unjust or unreasonable, or unjustly
discriminatory or unduly preferential
or prejudicial. or otherwise in violation
of any Of the provisions Of this act to
determine and prescribe what will in
its judgment. be the just and reason
able and fairly remunerative rate or
rates, charge or charges to be there
after observed in such case as the
maximum 10 be charged: and what
regulation or practice in respect to
ID. E a., gr.
reasonable to be thereafter followed;
and to make an order that the carrier
shall cease and desist from such viola
ton TO the extent to which the commits
sion md the same TO exist, and shall
not thereafter publish, demand, or col
lect any rate 81 charge for such trans
portation in excess Of the maximum
rate or charge so prescribed. and shall
conform TO the regulation or practice
80 prescribed"
Terms Are Enlarged.
Section 1 is substantially section l of
the act of 1857, with an enlargement of
the definition of the word railroad. 8"
and the word transportation. " BY this
enlargement. it IS believed that the de
vices" resorted 10 by carriers, through
the use OF switches and cars owned nv
shippers. and so forth. can be obviated.
Under section ,, more prompt obed-
fence TO the law on the part OF the car
riers relating 10 tariff schedules is to be
secured, and there is also requirement
taat icing and other charges be stated
Ia their schedules Thirty days notice
OF the changing Of schedules is required
SO as to do away with Determinations
heretofore made through what is called
midnight tariffs.
Section relieves the commission of
reporting a finding of facts whenever an
investigation is made. A finding OF
conclusions is deemed sufficient
Section 4. after defining the powers
az the commission, provides that its
orders shall go into effect in thirty
days and remain in force, unless sus-
pended. modified. or set aside by the
commission, or "by "A court of COM
potent jurisdiction" for a term of three
years.
To Aid Compliments.
Section ) is intended 10 aid COM
plainants in whose behalf damages are
awarded on coFnutafnt hV tha aavnr.fs