The river press. [volume] (Fort Benton, Mont.) 1880-current, 1906-05-23

assume that senators who heretofore
were opposed to rate legislation, have
been converted to a different view OF
| the matter and made an honest effort
to give every interest a square deal.
The main provisions of the rate bill,
according to a press summary of the
measure, are to this effect:
Its principal purpose is to enable
the interstate commerce commission 70
fix rates. The provision comforting
this authority is found in the fourth
section of the bill, which amends sec.
ton 10 of the interstate commerce law
SO as to accomplish this result. That
section directs the commission TO in.
vestigate complaints Of unjust and IN.
reasonable charges by common a r
riers in the transportation of persons
or property, or of regulations or of
practices affecting such charges. 1t
also authorizes an inquiry as to
whether the rates or practices are
''unjustly discriminating or unduly
preferential or prejudicial, or other.
wise in violation of the act," and in
cas any of these conditions are found
to exist the commission is empowered
to determine and prescribe what will
be the just and reasonable maximum
rate. and what regulation or practice
is just, reasonable and fair.
Further, authority is given the com.
mission to enforce its orders, and they
are to 90 into effect within thirty
days, unless suspended, modified or
set aside by the commission, or by a
court of competent jurisdiction. Other
powers conferred by this section are
to apportion joint fares, establish
through routes and maximum joint
rates, and prescribe their division,
and to determine the compensation to
be paid to shippers doing service for
carriers.
Section Ii of the present law is so
changed as to provide for an award
of %pecuniary damages to complainants
found entitled, and in case payment is
not promptly made in accordance with
this award the beneficiary is author
lied to file suit in q United States cir.
cult court to compel compliance. A
penalty of 5000 for each otfense in
disobedience of the order Is imposed,
and the penalty is to accumulate at the
rate of 81, 600 a day ia case of con.
tinuOus violation. Orders other than
those for money payments are to be
enforced by the federal courts through
writs of mandamus or Injunction, and
Ia case OF appeal to the supreme court
these cases are to be given preference
over all others except those of a
criminal character.
The bill was amended by the senate
80 as to give the United States circuit
court jurisdiction to entertain suits
brought to annul or change the orders
OF the commission and to provide
against the granting Of interlocutor,
DEGREES without the hearing and max
ing appeals from such orders direc|
to the supreme court.
Senate amendments include oil pipe
lines, express companies and shipping
car companies under the head O,
common carriers" and make then
amenable to the requirements of thu
bill. Other senate notifications pro
hibit the issuance of passes or tn,
granting of special favors to one class
OF passengers over another; prohibi
railroad companies from transporting
commodities produced by themselves
require such companies to put Il
, switches at the reasonable request o
shippers; prohibit the granting or &C
, ceptance of rebates, and reinstate tn
> Imprisonment penalty for violation Q
the law.
There are also changes in the la,
! relative to the reports to be require
' OF common carriers, and u penalty @
800 u day is imposed for failure t
> comply with the report requirement.
The commission Is given access t
' the accounts Of the companies atfecte
. by the act, but examiners are forbid
I den, under penalty of heavy fine an
- long Imprisonment, from divulgin
the facts ascertaincd. Fines Of $40
y for each failure to keep proper q,
counts is provided. a Justification {
accounts is made punishable by fir
D and imprisonment.
Made Political Dust.
NEW YORK. Ma 1l.-While fher