The Birmingham age-herald., 1907-03-04

To regulate railroads and other com
 mon carriers in this State; to secure
 reasonable rates and adequate service,
 and prevent unjust discrimination in
 their public service, and prescribe pen
 alties for violation thereof
 Section L Be it enacted by the Legis- lature of Alabama. That all railroads heretofore constructed or which may be hereafter constructed in this state are hereby declared public highways, and all railroad companies, or individuals engag- ed in the transportation of persons or freight over railroads for hire are here " declared common carriers.
 Sec. ?. Every common carrier defined In the preceding section shall print in plain type and file with the Railroad Commission within a time to be fixed by said commission, schedules, which shall be open to public inspection, show ing all rates, fares and charges for the transportation of passengers or property and any service in connection herewith, which it has established, and which are in force at the time between all points in this State upon it's line and any line controlled or operated by It. The schedules printed as aforesaid shall plainly state the places upon it's line or any line con trolled or operated by it in this State, between which passengers and property will be carried, and there shall be filed herewith the classification of freight in fot ?. Every common carrier shall pub fish with and as part of such schedules all rules and regulations that in any manner affect the rates charged or to be charged for the transportation of passengers or property, also it's charges for delay in loading or unloading cars, for track and car service, or rental and for demurrage, switching, terminal or transfer service in connection with the transportation of persons or property. Two copies of such schedule shall be filed and kept on file for the use of the pub lie and posted in a conspicuous place in every depot, station and office of such common carriers where passengers or freight are received for transportation, in such form and place as to be accessi- ble to the public and conveniently in spected. When passengers or property are transported over connecting lines in tl.ls State, operated by more than one company or association, and the several companies operating such lines establish joint rates, fares and charges a schedule of point rates shall also in like man. be printed and filed with the com- mission, and filed and posted in a con- spicuous place in every depot, station and office of such railroads or other com mon carrier where such passengers or property are received for transportation. All freight traffic issued by any such carriers relating to interstate traffic in this State shall be filed in the office of the Railroad Commission within thirty days after the passage and publication of this Act, and all such tariffs hereafter issued shall be filed with the commits sion when issued.
 Sec. 3. No change shall thereafter be made in any schedule including schedule of joint rates, or in any classification, except after ten days notice to the Rail- road Commission, and approved by it, and all such changes shall be plainly in- dicated upon existing schedules. or by filing rev schedules in lieu thereof ten days prior to the time the same are to take effect; Provided that the Railroad Commission, upon application by any railroad, may prescribe a less time within which a reduction may be made. Copies of all new schedules shall be filed and posted as hereinbefore provided in every depot, station and office of such rai- road in this State ten days prior to the time the same are to take effect, un- less the commission shall prescribe a less time.
 Sec. f. Whenever a change is made in any existing schedule including schedule of joint rates, notice shall be posted by the common carrier in a conspicuous place in every depot, and station and office stating that changes have been made in the schedule file specifying the class of commodity affected and the date when the same will take effect
 Sec. 5. It shall be unlawful for any railroad to charge, demand. collect or receive a greater or less compensation for the transportation of passengers or prop erty, or for any service in connection herewith than is specified in such printed schedules of joint rates, as may at the time be in force, except as provided by law, or the Railroad Commission, and the rates. fares and charges named therein shall be the lawful rates when approved by the Railroad Commission, but the Commission may prescribe such changes in the form in which the schedules are issued by the railroads as may be found expedient.
 Sec. 6. Every railroad operated in this State shall file with the Railroad Com mission within the time to be fixed by the Commission copies of all contracts which relates to the transportation of persons, or property, or any service in connection herewith made or entered into by 1t with any other railroad company, car company or equipment company, ex- press or other transportation company.
 Sec. z. Every railroad shall, on or be- fore the first day of September in each year. and oftener If required by the Rail road Commission, file with the commits sion a verified list of all railroad tickets, passes, mileage books issued free or for other than actual bona fide money con sideration at full established rates during the preceding year, ending June the 3Oth. together with the names of recipients thereof, the amounts received therefor, and tho reason for issuing the same This provision shall not apply to the sale of tickets at reduced rates, authorized by the law or rates open to the puh-