The Tacoma times. [volume] (Tacoma, Wash.) 1903-1949, 1910-01-07

(By United Press Leased Wire. }
WASHINGTON, d. c.. Jan. 7.
On the subject of interstate
commerce in a special message
sent to congress today, President
Taft, after calling attention to
the fact that a large number OF
|orders issued by the interstate
commerce commission have been
appealed from. says:
"1t would not be proper to. at
tempt to deprive any corporation
of the right of review by a court
of any order or decree which, if
undisturbed, would rob it of a
reasonable return on its invest
ment or would subject it to bur
dens that unjustly discriminate
against it and in favor of other
carriers similarly situated.
Too Much Confusion.
What is of supreme import
ance is that the decision of such
a question will be as speedy as
the nature of the circumstances
will admit, and that a conformity
of decision can be assured so as
to bring about an effective, sys-
tematic, scientific enforcement of
the commerce law rather than
conflicting decisions and uncer-
tainty of final results.
Recommends New Court.
For this purpose 1 rec
ommend the establishment of
a court of the United States,
to be composed of five judges, q
designated for such. purpose
from among the circuit judges
of the United States, to be
known as the United States
court of commerce, which
court shall be clothed with
original and exclusive juris-
diction over the following
classes of cases:
First, all cases for enforce
ment, otherwise than by adjudi-
cation and for the collection of
penalty or by the infliction of
criminal punishment of any or
der of the interstate commerce
commission other than for the
payment of money.
Second, all cases brought to
enjoin, set aside, annul, or sus-
pend, any order or requirement
of the interstate commerce COM
mission.
"Third, all such cases as under
section three of the act of Febru-
airy. 10, 1908, known as the FL
kins act. are authorized to be
maintained in a circuit court of
the United States.
Fourth, all such mandamus
proceedings as, under the provi-
sions of section 20 or section 23,
of the interstate commerce law
are authorized to be maintained
in the circuit court of the United
States"
Selection of Judges.
The president recommends the
appointment of five circuit judges
from the districts having the
largest volume of business.
The president recommends that
regular annual sessions of the
court be held in Washington, but
that the court be empowered to
meet anywhere. He says that
the orders should be made final
and subject only to review by the
supreme court .of the United
States.
Could OyerruIe Commission.
He recommends giving the
court pc-yer to, suspend orders of
the interstate commerce commits
sion which are under review.
pending final hearing.
Quote Rates i'm Writing.
=. He suggests that the railroads
be required to quote rates in
writing on the application OF any
shipper, with fine of $3.50 for
any misquoting.
He recommends the emp ,wer-
ing of the interstate commerce
to inquire into the
reasonabIeness Of rates.
May Prevent Increases.
It is recommended that the
Interstate commerce COM
mission be empowered to
postpone the operation of
any proposed increase OF
rates, and IL the commits
sion finds the increase un-
reasonable, 1t may forbid the
Increase or fix innxiTcura
beyond which the roai may
not go.
Hhe message recommends def