The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1914-06-15
COMMERCE BOARD TO
CONTROL SHIP RATES
Alexander Bill, Giving Broad
Powers of Regulation, to Be
introduced To-day.
REBATES ARE PROHIBITED
All Agreements Must Be Filed
for Commissions Approval
Heavy Penalties Fixed.

WASHINGTON. June IA bill designed
to regulate water carriers engaged in the
foreign and domestic commerce OF the
United States will be introduced in the
House tomorrow by Representative Alex
ander.
The legislation IL aimed at the steam
ship pool The Alexander bill represents
the result Of an inquiry into the activities
OF the alleged shipping trust conducted by
the Committee on Merchant Marine and
Fisheries.
In a statement made public tonight
Representative Alexander said that the
proposed legislation was the FIRST attempt
that had been made TO bring the vast
water transportation interests engaged In
American foreign and domestic commerce
under a comprehensive system Of Govern
ment supervision.
Powers Of sspervisicn.
Powers Of supervision over the water
carriers are conveyed to the Interste e
Commerce Commission. The commission
is empowered to regulate the division of
through rates between railroads and water
carriers. the issuance OF through bills OF
lading and access to their terminal facili-
ties by railroads to steamship lines on
equal terms.
The purpose OF the BILL said Mr.
the advantages which can be secured to
them by permitting the carriers in any
given trade to cooperate through some
form OF rate and trafic arrangement and
at the same time prevent the abuses the
commission found to exist"
The bill declares all deferred rebate
Arrangement whether in export. import or
domestic trade. to be illegal Copies of
all agreements and conference arrange
ments between steamship lines must be
filed for approval with the Interstate
Commerce Commission. Such agreements
as are approved by the commission shall
be excepted from prosecution under the
antitrust law. Those that are disap-
proved must he withdrawn or take the
risk of prosecution.
Discriminatory practices OF all kinds.
false bills, false classification and false
weighing are made unlawful under the
bill. Both foreign and domestic carriers
are prohibited from carrying retaliatory
measures against shippers by refusing or
threatening to refuse space when such is
available.
Rate cutting or injuring a competitor Is
prohibited. The commission is authorized
to Ieduce rates when they are sound TO be
unreasonably high or excessive.
Complaints by shippers.
Water carriers are required to observe
the same rules In the filing Of rates as
are enforced against railroads. The COM
mission Ii empowered to investigate all
complaints filed by shipperE In matter OF
| cargo. space accommodations or unfair or
discriminating contracts with shippers
or other unfair trea tment. and to order
the dscon,inuance OF all practices found
| to be In conflict with the law.
Three or four sections OF the bill have
| an important bearing on the relation OF
w a n p ri m I ia 40 mi
| full for any railroad 20 discriminate be-
| tween a rail and water route. Railroads
are prohibited from acquiring any interest
| directly or indirectly. In any canal in the
| United States or in any common carrier
! or forwarding company on such canal un-
| less such acquisition is approved by the
| Interstate Commerce Commission.
Railroads can also be required by the
| commission to account separately for the
! income, expenses and other financial and
property characteristics OF water carriers
in which 1t may be interested.
The penalties provided by tile bill are
severe. Any water carrier that fails to
| nle any agreement with any other water
tArrier when called on to do so by the
! commission is made liable to a fine OF
81 900 for each day during which such
| offence continues.
The bill contains a prohibition against
| the issuance Of free tickets or free pas
sage or transportation to passengers
/ violation OF this provision is made a mis-
demeanor punishable by a fine OF not les.
than 800 or more than $4,000.
Other prohibitions by the bill are made
misdemeanors punishable by fine not -
exceed 5000 for each offence. II thu
! offence constitutes an unlawful discrimi
nation in rates. fares or charges the per
son found guilty Is liable to Imprisonment
for a term not exceeding two years N
we'll as a fine Of $1,000. or both, In tn
discretion of the court
The Alexander bill will be referred 4
the Committee on Merchant Marine ant
Fisheries 1t is understood that no effor
will be made to pass II at this session o
Congress