The President's Message and Proposed Amendments to the Interstate Commerce ACT (Paperback)

This historic book may have numerous typos and missing text. Purchasers can download a free scanned copy of the original book (without typos) from the publisher. Not indexed. Not illustrated.1906 Excerpt: ... what process and what moans could that fact have been developed that that arrangement was made, and wherein and how does this present law give any additional means for finding that out? That is what I want to know. Mr. Bird. Each of the competitors of the lines adopting such practices has an army of men all over, the field watching the drift of business and the causes for its changing its direction. One man has a bit of testimony here, and another a bit there, and so on all around the circle, no one item of which may amount to anything; but it becomes forcible when it is put together and collated and spread out before you until you have information which will surely lead to the designation of the person whom the commissioners may examine and from whom they may get the information. Mr. Corliss. They never succeed against an individual? Mr. Bird. I do not think they could against an individual. Mr. Corliss. They never have except where the individuals volunteered the information to the Commission. Mr. Bird. They never have in any case of which I am advised. Mr. Corliss. Therefore the present act requiring punishment for violations amounts to little or nothing. There has never been a punishment where there has been an imprisonment? Mr. Bird. No, sir; and I think very few convictions of any kind. The Chairman. Excuse me for having interrupted you. Mr. Bird. The next question which I was asked to consider to-day, was presented by the Chairman, lie said: I would like to have yon inform the committee, if you will, -what are the elements of cost that are considered by you when you make a schedule of rates? i 1 have been engaged in the preparation of tariffs for many years, and I have never yet on any occasion been able to prepare a schedule of rates with any referen..