The Globe-republican., 1910-03-10
TO HELP SHIPPERS.
CONGRESSMAN Madison Introduces an I'm.
portant Amendment to the Inter-
state Commerce Law.

state Commerce Law
Congressman Madison has introduced
bill to amend the interstate commerc
law. His bill Is known as FL r. 1857
and 10 now In the hands Of the commit
tea on Interstate and Foreign Commerce
By his bill MIR. Madison makes pro
vision for the quick settlement of claim
against transportation companies on &C
count of loss 10 shipments. Heretofore
and at the presenUtime, such claims ar
often subjected to delays that are yer!
annoying and many hesitate TO file claim
on account of the difficulties and trouble
in getting them. Mr.. Maoison's bill, !
it becomes law, will greatly benefi
claimants, who are in most instances
are small shippers and have small claims
Mr.. Madison's bill penalties the trans
portation companies to the extent of at
torney's tees If settlement Is not mad,
within ninety days. We give below thu
most important Improvements to th'
present law as provided in Mr.. Madison
bill.
s'That any common carrier, railroad
or transportation company receiving
property for transportation from poln
in one State or Territory of the United
States, or the District Of Columbia, Il
any other STATE or Territory Of tht
United States, or the District Of Colum.
bia, or from one place in a Territory t
another place in the same; Territory,
shall Issue receipt or bill Of ladinR
therefor, and shall be liable to the law.
ful holder thereof for any loss, damage
or injury to such property caused by II
or by any common carrier, railroad, OF
transportation company to which such
property may he delivered, or over
whose line or lines such property may
pass, and no contract, receipt, rule, OF
regulation shall exempt such common
carrier, railroad, or transportation CON-
pany from liability hereby imposed
Provided, That nothing In this section
shall deprive any holder Of such receipt
or bill Of lading Of any remedy or right
OF action which he has under existiBg
law.
"That upon claim in writing being
made, as hereinafter provided, by the
lawful holder OF such receipt or bill Of
lading for the payment Of the amount Of
said loss, damage, or injury, said COM
mon carrier, railroad, or transportation
company shall adjust and pay said claim
within ninety days from the date Of the
presentation of said claim: Provided,
That said written claim shall contain a
statement Of the place of shipment aud
destination Of the property concerning
which said claim is made, the names Of
the coneignor and consignee, the date Of
shipment, a brief description of said
property, statement as to whether the
claim is for loss, damage, or injury of or
to the property. the amount claimed, and
the post office address Of the claimant.
Said claim shall be delivered to some
freight or station agent of said carrier,
railroad. or transportation company in
some town or city in which it traDsacts
business as a common carrier, or to one
Of Its general agents or officers in city
In which It's general Offices are located.
"If any carrier, railroad or transporta-
tion company shall fail to adjust and pay
a claim within ninety days after the same
has beeu M d as herein provided, and
lbe claimant, or his assignee, shall there
after obtain q judgment for the ful
amount Of said claim il any court OF
competent jurisdiction, whether court
Of the United Sates, or Of some State,
Territory, or the District OF Columbia,
the jury trying the case, or the court If
the trial is before the court without a
jury, shall determine what ia a reasonable
attorneys fee for the plaintiffs attorney,
If he has employed an attorney In said
cause, and the same shall be taxed and
collected as part Of The costs Of the suit.
"That the common carrier, railroad. or
transportation company issuing such
receipt, or bill of ladlng, shall be entitled
to recover from the common carrier, rail-
road, or transportation company on
whose line the loss, damage, or injury
shall have been sustained the amount Of
such loss, damage, or injnry as 1t may
be required to pay to the owners Of such
property, as may be evidenced by any
receipt, judgment, or transcript thereof. >
Continued from first naCa.