The Bemidji daily pioneer. [volume] (Bemidji, Minn.) 1904-1971, 1910-04-02
MANY CHANGES
IN RAILROAD BILL
Administration Measure Re-
ported to the House.
COMMERCE COURT REMAINS

Of the Provisions Of the Measure
introduced by Reprsse NATIVE Mann,
the Chairman-Stock and Bond ID.
sue Features Of Original Retained.
Washington, April 2.-The admins.
tration railroad bill, stripped of many
Of its original features, but still pro.
Nding for the creation of a commerce
court and the regulation Of railway
agreements, consultations, securities.
rates and routes, all as amendments
to the interstate commerce law, was
reported to the house by the inter-
state commerce committee.
The measure contains as amend
ments liberal excerpts from the bill
presented early in the session by
Chairman Mann, whose views are not
in accord with the administration, but
who takes charge of the bill on the
floor as committee chairman, though
personally opposed to many OF its pro-
visions. Mr.. Mann will ask the house
next Monday to make the bill privi-
legged, failing which he will seek sus-
pension of the rules to expedite con-
alteration
Referring to the commerce court, in
the first three sections OF the bill, the
report says 1t is proposed to central
ize the existing authority or jurisdic-
ton of circuit courts in one commerce
court, but without charging such jur-
isdiction or authority. The present
jurisdiction of the United States courts
to set aside the interstate commerce
commission orders is believed by
many to be limited to the determina-
ton OF turisdiotional facts and to the
question of confiscation by the taking
Of property without due compensation.
An inhibition against purchase or
lease Of capital stock of a directly or
substantially competitive railroad or
water line is made in section IL, which
also prohibits the same person serv-
Ing on competitive directorates. It
permits any corporation designing to
acquire interest in another similar cor
poration to make preliminary agree
ment and then file petition with the
commerce court for permission to car
~ out the agreement.
The committee, however, is consid-
ering reporting an amendment to have
the petition filed with the commission
instead Of with the commerce court.
Issuance Of Stocks and Bonds.
Railway security propositions are
embodied in the concluding sections.
They prohibit railroads from issuing
any stock or bonds except upon appli-
cation to the commission, which is to
specify the respective amounts of
stocks, bonds, etc., authorized to be
issued for the respective purposes to
which the proceeds are to be applied,
and stating the price-their reason
able value-at which such securities
may be sold.
Common carriers are authorized to
enter into agreements specifying
freight classification and passenger
and freight transportation charges,
Notwithstanding existing laws, includ-
ing the Sherman antitrust law, if
copy of the agreement in form and de-:
tail prescribed by the commission is
fled with that body within twenty
days after it is made and at least thir.
ty days before the classification or
charge goes into effect. The commits.
sion, however, is vested with full au-
thority in the matter and may sus-.
pend their taking effect.
The carriers are expressly prohibit,
cd from making any agreement for
pooling or division of earnings, under
penalty. A long or short haul clause
is embraced in the bill, prohibiting a
greater rate for shorter than a long.
or distance over the same line in the
same direction, the shorter being with
In the longer, or from receiving q
greater compensation as a through
rate than the aggregate of the local
rates, though special exceptions are
authorized. ?
Other sections of the bill forbid re.
bates, enlarge the scope Of complaints.
authorize the commission to establish
through routes and joint classified.
lions and rates, though exempting wa,
ter traffic and street electric passen.
ger railways not engaged in general
freight business, and call for reason
able facilities, representation in court
proceedings, etc. -
Your tongue is coated.
Your breath IS foul. &: