The Ogden standard. [volume] (Ogden City, Utah) 1902-1910, 1910-05-11
BILL PASSES BY
Big MAJORITY

WASHINGTON. May 10-Without
single dissenting Republican vote,
the house today passed the railroad
bill one OF the chief measures Presi-
dent Taft wished enacted at the pres
ent session of congress- by 2Oo to 126,
Fourteen Democrats joined Tie ma
jority.
President TAFT tonight said he was
deeply eratiHed ovor the passage oi
the measure He was especially pleas
cd with the comfortable margin by
which the commerce court feature was
kent in the bill for he regards this
court as probably the most important
step In the proposed law.
Referring 10 the clause providing for
the physical valuation Of railroads.
Mr. TAFT pointed ont that power now
practically rests with the Interstate
commerce commission and that the
difficulty In carrying ont such a plan
always has been found in the enor-
nous cost Of the undertaking
WASHINGTON, May l0.-When all
amendments adopted by the house
while In committee OF the whole had
been agreed 10. Mr.. Adamson 81 Geors
ela senior Democratic member of tho
minority of the committee. represent
Ing tho bill moved to recommit "
with instruction that II he reported
back with the commerce court clause
stricken out. This motion was de-
feated 1871 TO l76.
The bill makes many changes In
the existing law that. II accepted
by the senate will greatly affect inter-
state commerce.
The court Of commerce ia created
10 admdicatc cases on appeal from
the interstate commerce commission.
1t is provided this court shall be
organized by the Justice Of the SUI
preme court, future appointments TO
membership on tho court To be made
by them.
Stock and bond issues Of railroad
are controlled by the bill. Under this
clause, n railroad before issuing any
additional stock, must obtain an order
from the commission which must
among other things. fX the price at
which the securities of the road may
he sold A similar provision is carried
in respect 10 railroads organized
made that upon the reorganization
OF a railroad through court proceed.
ings. stocks and bonds cannot he
issued for more than a fair value OF
the property.
The long and short haul clause of
the measure provides railroad can.
not, without first gaining permission.
charge more for short haul tnan
for long haul over the same line.
The Interstate commerce commits
sion also is given authority whenever
a new rate Is proposed to suspend the
taking on of that rate during con.
sideration OF It's reaSonableness.
AS amended the bill proposes to
bring the telephone and telegraph
companies under the control of the In
terstate commerce commission. It
provides for the valuation OF railroad
property to aid The commission in the
consideration OF railroad rates and
gives To the commission authority
over classification. regulations and
practices OF railroads.
Under its terms railroad company
must quote a freight rate accurately
upon demand Of shipper and the
shipper is given the right to route his
freight whenever it passes over more
than one railroad. The commission
itself Is authorized TO establish
through routes. whereas under the
present law II cannot make new
through route II such route is al
ready established.
Severe penalties arc provided
against shippers. who through false
claims for damages or loss OF prop
crty obtain secret rebates.
Speaking Of the bill as it passed the
house today. Mr.. Mann. chairman OF
the committee on interstate and for
eign commerce, said;
Under the existing conditions
through the non-obscryance OF the eX-
listing long and short haul clause, a
very large proportion OF the freight OF
the country is carried by the long
distance around instead OF being car.
red by the most direct route. whore
as. IL the railroads are compelled to
cease doing that each would carry the