The Rich Hill tribune. (Rich Hill, Mo.) 1903-1911, 1906-05-24
RAILROAD RATE BILL PASSES SENATE
Only Three Senators Voted Against the Meas
ure as Amended.
Some Criticism of the President was INDUCED in ON the Last Day
of Debate, but it was Generally Acknowledged that His
Initiative Made Railroad Legislation Possible
A Synopsis of the Bill as IL Stands

accomplish this result. That section
directs the commission to investigate
complaints Of unjust and ~unreason-
able charges on the part Of the COM
mon carriers in the transportation OF
persons or property or OF regulations
or Of practices affecting such charges
II also authorizes an inquiry as to
whether the rates OF practices are
'unjustly discriminative or unduly
preferential or %preiudicial or other
wise in violation OF the act and In
case any Of these conditions are found
to exist the commission Is empowered
20 determine and prescribe what will
be the Just and reasonable maximum
rate and what regulation OF practice
IS just. reasonable and fair. Further,
authority is given the commission TO
enforce its orders and they are 10 go
into effect within 80 days and continue
In force for two years unless sus-
pended, modified or set aside by the
commission or by a court OF competent
jurisdiction. Other powers conferred
by this section are ito ]appOrtlon
joint fares, establish through routes
and maximum joint rates and pre-
scribe their division and % deter
mine the compensation 90 be paid &c
shippers doing service for carriers.
Section 10 Of the present law Is 50
changed as TO provide for an award
OF |pecuniary damages 20 complainant
found entitled and in case payment is
not promptly made in accordance with
THIS award the beneficiary IS author
lied TO file suit in a United States cir
cult court 10 compel compliance The
finding OF the commission IS to be re-
Ceiyed as prima facie evidence OF the
facts ia such suits and the petitioner
Is absolyed from an liability Tor costs
Another provision renders legal the
service OF the orders OF the commits
sion through the mails and provides
that these orders shall take effect SO
days after service unless suspended
or set aside by the courts. a penalty
OF $1,000 for each onense IN disobcdi-
cnce OF the order Is imposed. and the
penalty IS 10 accumulate NJ the rate of
$1,000 a day ia case of continuous vi
olation. Orders other than those faI
money payments are 10 be enforced
by the federal courts through wriis
OF mandamus or injunction and ia case
Of appeal 20 the supreme court these
cases are 90 be given preference over
all others except those OF a criminal
character.
The bill was amended by the senate
SO as to give the United States circuit
courts jurisdiction 20 entertain suits
brought to anuul or change the orders
of the commission and to provide
against the granting OF in]terlocutory
/ DEGREES without hearing and making
appeals from such orders direct 20 the
supreme court.
Other provisions extend the iedni-
ton Of the word railroads 80 as TO
make Il include switches. spurs. tracks.
/ terminal facilities. freight depots.
yards aud grounds and defines the word
transportation" 81 as 10 make it
! embrace cars and other facilities for
shipment or carriage. irrespective q
ownership or OF any contract the In
. NHANANNNH N"lNn NI NfANNN INV ANAAA haAAN
responsible for an special ear service.
Il Is made the duty Of carriers 10 fur
nish special car service upon reason
ablc request
Senate amendments include Oh pine
lines. express companies and shipping
/ car companies under the heat OF "com-
mon carriers" aud make them amen
able 20 tho requirements OF the bin.
| other senate notifications prohibit
I the issuance of passes or the granting
OF special fayeTs 90 one class OF pas-
sengcrs over another. p~rohibititg rail-
road companies from transporting
! commodities produced ny themselves:
require such companies 20 pat IN
switches at tho reasonable request Of
shippers. prohibits the granting OF
acceptance OF rebates and reinstato the
imprisonment penalty for violation OF
the law.
There are also changes On the law
relative 20 the reports 90 be required
OF common carriers. and a penalty OF
500 a day Is imposed for failure to
comply with the report requirement
The commission Is given access 10
the accounts Of the companies affected
by the act, but examiners are forbid
den under penalty OF heavy fine and
long imprisonment from divulglng the
facts asceruined Fines OF $500 for
each failure 90 keep proper accounts
is provided, a Ratification OF accounts
Is made punishable by fine and im-
/ Drisonmeut.
Circuit and district courts Of the
United States are given jurisdiction
over an complaints by the commission
Of failure to comply with lts orders
and such courts are required to issue
writs OF mandamus compelling such
compliance.
Indicted Grand JurT Foreman.