The Wenatchee daily world. [volume] (Wenatchee, Wash.) 1905-1971, 1907-02-01
INCREASE POUERssOF
RAILROAD COMMISSION
COMMISSION HAS JUSTIFIED IT.
SELF AND THERE IS NO
CHANCE OF IT BEING
DISCONTINUED

TOdu COLlmISSlOu HAS JuStiueu ltSeii
and have given an absolute quietus
to any proposal to discontinue it,
So says Senator Paulhamus of
Pierce county, chairman OF the rail-
roads committee, the man who forced
the resignation of John S. McMillin,
and who has conducted the commits
sion investigation.
"Fairchild's speech before the
joint session yesterday was able"
continued Senator Paulhamus. ct
was likewise convincing; | believe
the present commissioners are really
and sincerely in sympathy now with
the commission idea, whatever their
opinions may have been when they
assumed Office. The amendments
they now propose to the commission
them and vote for any others these
commissioners may want l see no
objection anywhere to an enlarge
ment of the commissions power
The Amendments.
The commissions amendments are
to be discussed by the joint railroads
committee today. They will he rec
commended for passage.
The proposed amendments are:
To employ rate expert at $4,000
a year and track and safety appli-
ipcnorfnr 80 nn0
To add to the commission S author
ity the power to make a rate and to
establish as permanent any existing
rate or classificat on. Once estab-
lished neither sl,aa1 - hanged sesre
or the order of the commission.
These powers also extend to joint
rates. When appeal is made the
courts shall hear and decide the case
without the Intervention of jury.
The commission is to be empow-
cred to make rules governing demur
rage charges, to order and prescribe
penalties for railroads for failure to
load and transport freight cars and
to say what shall be a reasonable
days haul These rules shall be
published twenty days before they
are to go into effect. Either railroad
or shipper may object. THE commits
sion shall then hear the objections.
If deemed valid the rules shall stand.
In that case appeal may be taken at
once to the superior courts, and if
necessary carried by the objector or
by the commission to the state sup.
rene court.
Other Strong Features.
Lack of rate insufficiency Of
train service, trackage, railway con-
nections, siding or equipment may
be cause for complaint to the COM
mission in addition to the causes now
provided for in the law.
Power to obtain the construction
cost of roads and the earning capac-
ity on interstate business to be added
as is also the power to COMPEL roads
to furnish this data
The commission shall further pre- -
cribe the manner in which railroads
shall keep their records ard the com
mission shall have authority to gain
access to these records.
The commission may also grant
railroads the right to give speclal
rates to students.
Demurrage is defined by the
amendment to be payment to rail
road by shipper in cases of delays
of loading cars. and reciprocal Re
murrage' as fines assessed against
railroad in favor OF the shipper for
delay in transmission or delivery of
cars for loading.
No Lobby is Present.
The entire absence of any railroad
lobby in the lassic corridors of
Olympia is a feature of the session.
Two years ago w. w. Cotton of Port
land, the O. R. & N. counsel, told the
Washington legislature that his pres
ence was not required at the Oregon
legislature when railroad bills were
being discussed.
They killed bill down there