Daily press. [volume] (Newport News, Va.) 1896-current, 1910-01-08

(which they are held bound TO know
the legal rate applicable to any pro-
lposed shipment, without, as matter
Iof fact. having any certain means OF
lactually ascersaining such rate.
VI think that the Law slouid pro-
vide that n carrier, upon written re-
Guest by an intending shipper. Should
quote In writing the rate OF charge APP
rlicable 10 she proposed shipment un-
der any schedules or tariff to which
such cdrrier is a party. and II the
PARTY making such request suffer dam
age in consequence OF mlsstatement
of the rate, the carrier shall be liable
TO a penalty in some reasonable
amount. say two hundred and fifty
dollars, TO accrue to the United States
and to be recovered in civil acton
brought by the appropriate districs
Iattorney.
To Initiate Investigations.
Under the existing law the com
mission can only act with respect TO
an alleged excessive rate or unduly
discriminatory practice by carrier
on a complaint made by some indi-
vidual affected thereby. see no
reason why the commission should
not be authorized 20 act on its own
initiative as well as npOn the com
lplaint OF an individual In Investigate
ing the fairness OF any existing rate
or practice: and ! recommend the
amendment OF the law to so provide.
and also that the commission shall
be fully empowered. beyond any
question. to pass upon the assifica-
tons Of commodities for purposes OF
fixing rates, in like manner as il may
lncw do with respect TO the Mkt
I mum rate app..cable to any trans
portatiOn.
Under The existing law the commits
lsion may not investigate an increase
in rates until after 1t shall become
defective .. therefore recon-
mend that the Interstate Commerce
Commission be empowered when
ever any proposed increase OF rases
is filed at Cnce. either on complaint
or of its own motion, TO enter upon
an investigation into the reasonable
ness Of such change, and that 1t be
further empowered. in its discretion,
TO postpone the effective date Of such
proposed increase for period not
exceeding sixty days beyond the date
when such rate would take effect.
Right to Select Route.
The claim Is very earnestly ad-
yanced by some large associations or
shippers that shippers of freight
should be empowered to direct the
route over which their shipments
should pass to destination, and In this
} connection it has been urged that the
: provisions of section Is OF the inter
state commerce act, which now en-
movers the commission, after hearing
on COMPLAINT, to establish through
routes and maximum point rates to be-
charged etc, when no reasonable or
satisfactory through route shall have
been already established, be amend
cd so as 20 empower the commission
to take such action, even when one
existing reasonable and satisfactory
route already exists, II it be possible
TO establish routes. This seems to-
be a reasonable provision.
, As to COMPETITIVE Lines.
Il The Republican platform Of 1908 de-
clared in favor of amending she inter
, lstate-commission law, but so as al
, ways to maintain the principle Oh
Icompetition between naturally com
peting lines. and avoiding the common
control of such lines by any means
! whatsoever One of the most potent
means CT exercising such controi mas
been through the holding OF stock OF
, one railroad company by another com
, pany owning a competing line.
II however. recommend that the law
shall be amended so as to provide
that from and after the date or lbs
passage no railroad company subject
TO the Interstate commerce act snail,
directly or indirectly. acquire any IN
iterest of any kind in capital Stock.
or purchases or lease any railroad OF
any other corporation which completes
with il respecting business to when
the Interstate commerce act apples.
Bu3 especially for he protection OF
the minority stOckhC lders In Secur-
ing to them the best market Tor tSeir
stock I recommend that such 3ronl-
tbition be coupled with a proyiso tnat
IL shall nos operate 10 prevent any
corporation which at the date oil the
passage of such act, shall own not
less than ne-half OF the entire issue
and outstanding capital stock OF any
railroad company. from acquiring all
or the remainder of such stock; nor
20 prohibit any railroad company
which ar the date of the enactment
/. lof the law is operating a railroad on
any other corporation under lease,
executed for term of noe less than
twenty-five Years. from acquiring the
Ieversionary ownership OF the de-
missed railroad but that such pro-
visions shall not operate to authorize
! or validate the acquisition. through
sock ownership or otherwise, OF q
| competing line OF interest therein In
violation OF the antitrust OF any other
! law.
Over Issue OF Stocks.
b The Republican platform OF lsosl
: further declares IN favor OF such ma
!, ticnal legislation and supervision as