The Rice belt journal. (Welsh, Calcasieu Parish, La.) 1900-19??, 1907-09-27

corporate interests and money power
of the state. Hence we have deemed I
it wise and best to submit to the peo- ,
pie of our state, these suggestions and
recommendations, with the hope and
request, that if they meet your views
and approval, you commit your diff
ferent candidates for the next leglsla-
ture to support the legislation herein
indicated.
The most important legislative act
now needed as regards the regulation
of cOrposations is the act to confer on
the Interstate Commerce Commission
the power to revise rates and regula-
tions, the revised rate to 60 at once
into effect, and stay in effect unless,
and until the court of review reverSes
J it.
No words could be more applicable
to the present needs of additional leg
islation to increase the powers of the
Railroad Commission of louisiana
} and the first recommendation of the
J commission is Intended to cover Just
! such an act.
First. An act should be passed
submitting to the people of the state,
at the first general election to be held
after its passage, an amendment to the
} constitution, so as to make the orders
\ of the commission effective on the date
( fixed by the commission, the order to
remain in effect until reversed by the
= courts.
} When the commission issues an or
} der. that order is either right or it IS
= wrong. If it is right, the public
should receive all the benefits which
Z it gives them. If the order deprlves
Z the carrier of it's property without due
y process of law, and is therefore un-
, lust, the order may be Immediately en-
= Joined by a proper showing to a court
= of competent jurisdiction. What, then
< is the use of the double remedy
y Certainly the people are entitled tt
v full protection from their legally ere
. ated bodies, and the mere statemen
- nv q carrier that sit is dissatisfied
n with an order of the commission Is to'
< Aimsy an excuse upon which to de
X prive the people of their rights.
" The law should be framed so as t.
% make the orders of the commission i'm
mediately effective, or effective at
Of, future date to be determined by tn
,lic commission, and remain in effect unit
nm. reversed by the courts.
ne Second. 1t has been the commo
ing practice of all carriers in Louisian;
whenever the commission issues a
rol order involving large sums of none
;al- in the payment of rates, either for Il
With transportation of passengers orfreig
,eat to Immediately file a suit against tt
rod commission to have their orders d
ons clsred illegal. The time consumed
md the trial of these cases varies fro
and two to FIVE years. The greater t
,on- amount involved, the longer the tri
met is drawn out and the more the pub
bod suffers. No bond is required fro
erv- the carriers and as the cases are &C
,ult. Quoted by their paid attorneys, a
their evidence furnished by their pt
N at employees, the litigation is conducI
suo- with but a trihing additional expel
,om- to them. The commission must W
itch, upon the pleasure OF these corpo
dor tons, who consume many months
orce taking testimony. An act should
ions passed fixing time limit whiting VIII
the suits may be brought to set aside
ders of the commission. Such an
mon. is, therefore, imperative.
this Third. There has been much CT
oh. plant from industrial companies,
I fpll Individuals, desiring shipping fac
wa ties at their plants, OF thear lnabl
mon. to secure such facilities from
,ower railroad companies. The conn
sion's power in regard to reQuir
con. railroad companies to build
past tracks anu swiInes' !, INV. :''.. ="
avan providing of side track facilities
leois. stations" consequently the conn
giv. sion has been forced to decline ju
tbam diction oyer such complaints 1.-THE
cerful preme cour' Vi Ao"i'"
ID At passed upon the matter), and owI
.,s NJ of large indusir'al ola"'G eos'
: tbs spur tr%cha' -"'y ..,''' 4''o"'0 !"