Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1910-04-01
Administration Measure Re-
ported by House Committee.
MANY CHANGES ARE MADE
Provision Creating a Commerce
Court Is Retained.
SPEEDY ACTION IS EXPECTED
Minority Condemns the Sections Re-
lating to Competing Lines and
Stocks and Bonds.

lating to Competing Lines and
Stocks and Bonds.
! The administration railroad BILL strip
ped Of many of its original features, but
still providing for the creation of com
merce court and the regulation of railway
agreements. consultations. securities
rates and routes. al as amendments tt
| the interstate commerce law. was report
ed to the House today by the interstate
commerce committee
| The bill was introduced January 10 by
| Representative Townsend of Michigan
| The original measure was drafted by At
| torney General Wickersham. who also is
| sponsor for several of the amendments
made by the committee. but the measure
contains as amendments liberal excerpts
| from the bill presented early in the ses-
sion by Chairman Mann of the committee
whose views are not in accord with the
administration BILL but who takes charge
Of the measure on the floor as committee
chairman. Mr. Mann will ask the House
next Monday to make the bill privileged
failing which he will seek suspension OF
tiS luiVS ~ CAPSuitS Soi'S'N>'NN'
The Majority Report.
The majority report says:
THE Hepburn law of 1906 vastly i'm
proved the law providing for regulative
control over railroad corporations engag-
ed In interstate and foreign commerce and
much enlarged the scope of the authority
conferred upon the interstate commerce
commission. Experience gained through
execution of the law shows that some
important matters which should be the
subject of government control are not
now within the scope of authority hereto
fore conferred on the commission.
THE original act to regulate commerce
was exceedingly important, the Hepburn
law was OF still greater Importance, but
the propositions involved In the substitute
bill reported by your committee are of
even greater Importance. While they do
not impose undue burdens upon the rail-
ways of the country or unduly interfere
with the power OF the railway managers
for the proper operation of the roads, yet
they to confer upon the shipping public,
the investing public and the people at
| large benefits of tremendous value
As to Commerce Court.
Referring to the commerce court COW
cred in the first three sections of the bill,
the report says it is supposed to cen
tralize the existing authority and juris-
diction Of circuit courts in one commerce
court, but without charging such juris-
diction or authority. The present juris-
diction of the United States courts to set
aside interstate commerce commission or
ders is believed by many to be limited to
the determination of jurisdictional facts
and to the question of confScation by the
taking of property without due compen-
sation.
An inhibition against purchase or lease
of capital stock of a directly or subst an
made in section IL. which also prohib-
its the same person serving on competing
directorates. 1t permits any corpora ton
| desiring 10 ACQUIRE interest in anothe!
similar corporation to make preliminary
agreement and then file petition with the
commerce court for permission to carry out
the agreement. The committee, however
is considering reporting committee
the commission instead of with the COM
merce court.
Railway Securities.
Railway security propositions are en-
bodied in the concluding sections They
prohibit railroads from issuing any stock
or bonds except upon application to the
| commission, which is to specify the re-
spective 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 rea-
sonabl value-at which such securities
may be sold The commission is author
| lied to issue certificates in relation &c
stocks and bonds and penalize officers OF
| stockholders who assent to prohibited is
| sues.
| Common carriers are authorized TO en-
| ter into agreements specifying freigh,
! classification and passenger and freigh,
| transportation charges. notwithstanding
/ existing laws, including the Sherman anti
/ trust law. If copy Of the agreement in
/ form and detail prescribed by the com
mission is flied with that body within
! twenty days after il is made and at leas,
| thirty days before the classification OF
however. is vested with full authority il
| the matter and may suspend their taking
effect
Forbids Pooling by Carriers.
| The carriers are expressly prohibit cd
| from making any agreement for pooling
or division of earnings, under penalty. A
| long and short haul ia embraced in tn.
bill. prohibiting greater rate for a
shorter than a longer distance rate for q
same line in the same direction. the
shorter being within the longer, or from
receiving a greater compensation as q
through rate than the aggregate Of the
local rates. though special exceptions are
| authorized.
| Other sections OF the bill forbid rebates
enlarge the scope Of complaints, author
| ize the commission to establish through
| routes and joint classifications and rates
| though exemptine water traffic and stree
| electric passenger railways not engag gee
! In geenrsl freight business, and call FOL
| reasonable facilities. representation ir
court proceedings, etc
| All Of the minority members OF thu
committee, in separate report. oppos.
the commerce court, the change in the
law requiring notice and hearings on re
strainng orders and the provision legaliz
ing agreements among carriers if filed
! even If not approved by the interstate
t! commerce commission. Further, they
think the commerce court should not b.
| authorized to legaliZe consolidation b,
permitting the acquisition OF one compel
ing line by another.
Object to Form of Introduction.
They condemn the manner in which tn,
bill was introduced, the executive de
partment having drawn bills and selected
sponsors to introduce them in eacl
house" They object to the repeal OF tn,
proviso in the act to regulate commerce
which forbids application of the act I,