The Ogden standard. [volume] (Ogden City, Utah) 1902-1910, 1910-04-01
CHANGES IN
I HE BILL
Administrations Rail-
road Measure Scarcely
Recognizable


tration railroad bill. stripped OF many
OF its original features but still pro
yiding for the creation of a com
merce court and the regulation OF rail-
way agreements. consultations, Sc
curities, rates and routes, all as am-
endments TO the interstate commerce
law, was reported 10 the house to-
day by the interstate commerce com
mittee.
The bill was introduced by Repre-
sentative Townsend of Michigan, jan
uardy 10, The original measure was
drafted by Attorney General Wicker
sham. who also is sponsor for sew
eral of the amendments made by the
committee. but the measure contains
as amendments liberal excerpts from
the bill presented early in the ses-
sion by Chairman Mann OF the COM
mlttee whose Views are not In ac-
cordance with the administration, but
who takes charge of the bill on the
floor as committee chairman though
personally opposed TO many OF It's
provisions.
Mr., Mann will ask the house. next
Monday, to mike thefT1h privileged
falling which he will seek suspension
of the rules 10 expedite consideration.
The majority report says;
The Hepburn law Of 1906 vastly
improved the law providing for reg
rlativc control railroad corporations
engaged in interstate or foreign com.
mercc and much enlarged the scope
OF the authority conferred upon the
interstate commerce commission. EX-
periencc gained through execution or
the law shows that some important
matters which should be- the subject
of government control are not now
within the scope of authority hereto
fore conferred on the commission
The original act to regulate com
merce was exceedingly important,
the Hepburn law was OF still greater
importance but the propositions In
volvcd IN the substitute bill report
ed by your committee are OF even
greater importance While they do
not impose undue burdens upon the
railways of the country or unduly in
tcrfere with tho power OF the ralh
way managers for the proper opera
ton of the roads. yet they do confer
upon the shipping public. the Invest,
ing public and the people at large
benefits OF tremendous value"
Referring to the commerce court,
covered in the first three sections OF
the bill. the report says it is pro-
posed TO centrallze tho existing au.
thorlty and jurisdictian OF circuit
courts In one commerce court but
without enlarging such jurisdiction or
authority The present jurisdiction
OF the United States courts to set
aside the interstate commerce COM
Dission orders is believed by many
to he limited to the determination of
JUTisdictional facts and TO the queS-
tion OF confiscation by the taking OF
property without due compensation,
An inhibition against purchase or
lease or capital stock OF directly OF
substantial competitive railroad or
water line Is made in section II,
which also prohibits the same per
son serving ON competing dlrectorates.
II permits any corporation design
Ing 10 acquire interest in another
similar corporation to make a prelim-
mary agreement and then To file 4
petition with the commerce court for
permission to carry out the agree
ment. The committee. however, Is
considering reporting committee
to have the petition filed
with the commission instead Of with
the commerce court
Railway securities propositions are
en- bodied in the concluding sections
They prohibit railroads from issuirg
any stock or bonds except upon appll- |
cation to the commission which Is to |
specify the respective amounts of |
stocks. bonds. etc. authorized TO be /,
issued for the respective purposes 10
which the proceeds are to be applied |
aud stating the price-their reason
able value-at which such securities |
may be sold The commission is au.
Ihorized TO Issue certificates in rela-
ion TO stocks and bonds and To pen
,lize officers or stockholders who as
sent 10 prohibited issues
Common carriers arc authorized 10
enter into agreements specifying
freight classification and passenger
md freight transportation charges.
existing laws, lnclud-
nS the Sherman aDti-trust law, jf q
.opy OF the agreement In form and dc.
nil prescribed by the commission Is
lied with that body within 20 days
after It Ia made and at least thirty
lays before the classification or
changes go into effect The com
however, is vested with full
authority In the matter and may sus
'eud their taking erect
The members are expressly prohibit
ID from making any agreement OF
'ooling or division OF earnings, under