Show Townser sd champion of Roosevel ts position explains new features of EoS arged duties of Comi nerce commission washington dec C the esch townsend railroad rate bill which passed the house at its last session has been rewritten and was read in the house today by townsend the bill embraces ail of the features of iha former measure but is drawn so as to specify the things which may be done by the interstate commerce commission in addition it has a publicity feature and gives the commas over refrigeration and terminal charges it also directly prohibits the carrier from granting any the privilege of collecting his product and then getting a special rate under the short term provision tor changing rates As explained today by air townsend the bill expresses tho ideas of the president in his message and will enacted into law amend the commerce law so as to make it more effectual in securing exact justice between the carriers shippers producers and consumers it amends the substantive law so as to embrace within the powers 0 the commission all interstate earners of interstate ter state and foreign commerce abeth ed by railroads or partly by railroads and partly water and included specifically in tha term transportation vehicles ventilation refrigeration elevation transfer storage and all other facilities and instrumentalities of shipment and carriage as well as terminal eiding and industrial tracks thus giving the commission authority over the so called private car and other agencies it enlarges the interstate commerce commission to seven members increases the of their terms of office to seven years and their salaries to this is done at the presidents suggestion as tho increased authority of the committee will increase its duties and responsibilities and require the best men obtainable this commission will compel the establishment of joint and through rates for interstate traffic and abolish tho custom as U la somo cases ot bia ng shipments within the bounds of a and then compel a reshipment it seeks to abolish the so called midnight rato evil by enlarging the time in which a published or scheduled rate can be changed to sixty days k and compels the carrier to itemize its schedules and rates in accordance with the instructions of the commission this schedule must also show the division of charges between so called trunk or through lines and terminal or industrial roads the bill also provides that the commission shall decide and within ninety days after bearing al cases brought before it it contains practically the same provision of the aseh townsend bill which authorizes the commission upon complaint and full hearing to determine whether a rate or regulation Is reasonable or unreasonable and if unreasonable io substitute the reasonable maximum rate to its stead and it may order both a maximum and minimum rate in cases involving the relation of rates when it finds that course necessary to enforce the of differential charges and such order of the com shall go into effect within thirty days after it is made this same provision applies also to joint rates and where the carrier parties to such joint rates tail to agree on tho division of the same the commission may determine the share of each cai sier |