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over the same line, in the same direction, the manufactures or some other branch of indusshorter being included within the longer distance, as qualified therein, is limited to cases in which the circumstances and conditions are substantially similar.

Re Southern R. & Steamship Asso. 1 Inters. Com. Rep. 278.

The phrase "under substantially similar circumstances," in the fourth section, is used in the same sense as in the second section; and under the qualified form of the prohibition in the fourth section carriers are required to judge in the first instance with regard to the similarity or dissimilarity of the circumstances and conditions that forbid or permit a greater charge for a shorter distance. Id.

The judgment of carriers in respect to the circumstances and conditions is not final, but is subject to the authority of the Commission and of the courts to decide whether error has been committed or whether the statute has been violated. And in case of complaint for violating the fourth section of the Act, the burden of proof is on the carrier to justify any departure from the general rule prescribed by the statute by showing that the circumstances and conditions are substantialy dissimilar. Id. The provisions of section 1, requiring charges to be reasonable and just, and of section 2, forbidding unjust discrimination, apply when exceptional charges are made under section 4, as they do in other cases.

Re Southern R. & Steamship Asso. 1 Inters. Com. Rep. 278.

(c) Nor that it is designed to build up business or trade centers;

(d) Nor that the lesser charge on the longer haul is merely a continuation of the favorable rates under which trade centers or industrial establishments have been built up;

(e) The fact that long haul traffic will only bear certain rates is no reason for carrying it for less than cost at the expense of other traffic. Id. The fact that there is competition in the carriage of persons or property to or from a particular place is a circumstance that justifies a common carrier under section 4 of the Interstate Commerce Act to charge less for a long haul to or from said place than a short one included therein.

Ex parte Koehler (U. S. C. C.) 1 Inters.Com. Rep. 317.

Passes to families of employees. Section 2 of the Interstate Commerce Act in effect prohibits the giving of passes or free carriage to particular persons; and the exception allowed in section 22, in favor of officers and employees of the road, does not include the families of such persons. Id.

Defendant railway company has two lines of nearly equal length, one starting from Providence and the other from East Providence, which unite at Valley Falls, whence the main line runs into Massachusetts. The rate charged by defendant on coal shipped at Providence is the same as on coal shipped at East Providence The existence of actual competition, which as far as Valley Falls and the next station; but is of controlling force in respect to traffic im- beyond that point the rate on coal from Proviportant in amount, may make out the dissimi-dence is ten cents per gross ton more than on lar circumstances and conditions, entitling the coal from East Providence. Held: carrier to charge less for the longer than for the shorter haul over the same line in the same direction, the shorter being included in the longer, in the following cases:

(a) When the competition is with carriers by water which are not subject to the provisions of the statute;

(b) When the competition is with foreign or other railroads which are not subject to the provisions of the statute;

(c) In rare and peculiar cases of competition between railroads which are subject to the statute, when a strict application of the general rule of the statute would be destructive of legitimate competition. Id.

When the greater charge in the aggregate is made for the transportation of passengers or the like kind of property for a shorter than for a longer distance over the same line in the same direction, the shorter being included in the longer distance, it is not sufficient justification therefor that the traffic which is subjected to such greater charge is way or local traffic, and that which is given the more favorable rates is

not.

(a) Nor is it sufficient justification for such greater charge that the short haul traffic is more expensive to the carrier, unless when the circumstances are such as to make it exceptionally expensive, or the long haul traffic exceptionally inexpensive, the difference being extraordinary and susceptible of definite proof;

(b) Nor that the lesser charge on the longer haul has for its motive the encouragement of

(a) That this is an unjust discrimination; that if it is fair and reasonable for the defendant to make the charge to Valley Falls from the two termini the same, there can be no justification for making different rates to stations beyond, based upon the fact that the coal comes from one terminus rather than from the other;

(b) That the evidence fails to support the contention of defendant that the extra rate upon coal received at Providence is only a fair equivalent for the additional cost of handling it there;

(c) That under all the circumstances it is not admissible for defendant to impose upon its patrons at Providence, whose investments were made before the East Providence line was constructed, an additional charge because of the inconvenience attending the transaction of its business at that station, and for which they are in no way responsible.

Providence Coal Co. v. Providence & W. R. Co. 1 Inters. Com. Rep. 363.

The defendant railway company had for some time paid the cost of hauling coal which was shipped by complainant, from complainant's wharf to defendant's freight station in Provi dence, without any contract obligation to that effect, but now refuses so to do. Held, that defendant cannot be compelled to continue paying for such hauling; that what defendant did for a time as a favor or by way of encouragement, it might discontinue at pleasure, and that there is nothing in the nature of a binding usage about it. Id.

The right to make greater charges for short than for long hauls is exceptional and depends in every case upon the peculiar circumstances and conditions; and a ruling in reference thereto in the case of one carrier would not be applicable to another carrier differently circumstanced. Id.

Under the Interstate Commerce Act all charges | connections-such petitioner has no standing to made by the receiver of a railroad, in respect maintain the proceeding. Id. to such business as falls under the head of interstate commerce, for any service in the transportation of passengers or property, or for receiving, delivering, storing or handling property, must be reasonable and just; and such receiver may not discriminate in his rates, charges and facilities for or against either of two connecting steamship lines, but should give to both equal rates and facilities for trade | and travel, for equal service, from all points. Re Petition of Mallory, 1 Inters. Com. Rep. 294.

If several railroad companies join in making the joint tariff which constitutes the lesser charge on the longer haul, while one or more of their number makes the greater charge on the shorter haul, the case is within the fourth The complaint, in effect, asks from the Com-section of the Act; and those who make such mission an order that shall require the defend-greater charge are called upon to justify it. Id. ant roads to receive freights at Schenectady for transportation at Boston, at rates less than are now charged by the same roads for the transportation of like freights to Boston from stations nearer Boston, under substantially similar cir-name under which business was done), the sevcumstances and conditions.

Such order, if issued, would require the roads to depart from the general rule laid down in the fourth section of the Act.

While the Act authorizes the Commission to permit exceptions, it does not authorize it to require exceptions.

The Commission has not power to make rates generally, but only to determine whether rates imposed by the railroads are in conflict with the statute.

The question whether the rates now charged complainant are excessive is not raised by the complaint.

Thatcher v. Fitchburg R. Co. 1 Inters. Com. Rep. 356.

By the word "line" in the Act, a physical line is meant, not a business arrangement; and one line of road may be part of several lines.

Through business over the defendant companies' roads was done by the National Despatch Line (a fast freight line, neither a corporation nor an association of persons, but a

eral roads paying milage for the cars used, furnished to such line by a car company, and the earnings of such line being divided among the roads in agreed proportions. The tariff for the long haul traffic in question was made by the manager of the Despatch Line, who was the agent for all the roads over which it did business, and was acquiesced in by them. Held, that the defendant companies were responsible for the long haul rates. Id.

Held, that such peculiar facts are not found to exist as will justify the greater charge over the shorter line by the Central Vermont Roads.

Id.

Facts examined, and held:

That defendant receives a greater compensation for its haul from Indianapolis to Michigan City than it does for its haul from Frankfort to South Wanatah, and consequently does not on its own line charge more for the shorter haul;

Boston & A. R. Co. v. Boston & L. R. Co. 1 Inters. Com. Rep. 571. That defendant does not, and cannot, conWhere, in a proceeding against several control the fixing of rates by the crossing and innecting railroad companies for charging more tersecting lines, and has no option but to ac for a short than for a long haul, one of the com- cept those rates which are fixed, and prorate panies claims that its only participation in the upon them, or to cease to take grain altoalleged offense consisted in its sharing in the gether; low charges on the long haul, which were not in themselves alleged to be illegal, the complaint should not be dismissed as against such company, where its interest and the liability of the low rates on long haul traffic to be affected by changes made in the higher rates on short haul traffic is so great that in case such company had not been made a party, and should ask to be made a party, it would be proper to so order.

Boston & A. R. Co. v. Boston & L. R. Co. 1 Inters. Com. Rep. 571.

If it is desired to test the reasonableness of the through rate from Frankfort to New York, all the roads responsible for it should be made defendants. It is not enough to make the ini tial road defendant, unless that road has authority to make the rate for them all.

Allen v. Louisville N. A. & C. R. Co. 1 Inters. Com. Rep. 621.

Evidence examined, and held: the difference in the rates at Mazeppa, compared with the rates at Red Wing and Lake City should neither exceed 24 cents on 100 pounds, nor one third part of the rates made in the adjustment of charges from competing towns.

Raymond v. Chicago M. & St. P. R. Co. 1 Inters. Com. Rep. 627.

On complaint of millers and others on the Iowa and Minnesota Division, of unjust dis

Where, in a proceeding by one railroad company against other companies, for charging more for a short than for the long haul, it appears that the rates alleged to be illegal are local rates; that the petitioner does not pay or participate in paying them; that they are not com petitive rates to those imposed on the petition-crimination, held: er's road; and there is no allegation that such rates are excessive or unjust, and the sole grievance of the petitioner is that the defendant companies accept through traffic at lower rates than are made by the petitioner and its

(a) That the complaint is well founded; that the rate on wheat on that division is relatively too high; that while a reasonable differential may be allowed on that division, on account of greater distance and probable larger expense

of transportation and the greater stringency of the competitive forces on the River Division, the difference above the present rate on the River Division should not exceed 24 cents a hundred;

(b) That it is not a sufficient compliance with the Law that rates are reasonable in themselves; but they should be so relatively reasonable as to protect communities and business against unjust discrimination;

(c) That when the same carrier operates parallel lines, and for any cause accepts low rates on one line, it should furnish sufficient corresponding advantages to the patrons of the other lines to prevent undue prejudice and disadvantage, and to preserve the substantial equality contemplated by the statute. Boards of Trade Union v. Chicago, M. & St. P. R. Co. 1 Inters. Com. Rep. 608.

The operation of section 4 of the Act suspended, for ninety days, as to the traffic of the petitioner between certain points.

Re Detroit, G. H. & M. R. Co. 1 Inters. Com. Rep. 17.

Petitioning railroad company relieved temporarily from the operation of the fourth section, on certain conditions.

Re Atchison, T. & S. F. R. Co. 1 Inters. Com. Rep. 58.

The operation of the fourth section of the Act suspended, in its application to certain railroads and connecting steamship lines, for a period not greater than ninety days, until the Commission can make a complete examination of the matters alleged in the petition.

Re Southern R. & Steamship Asso. 1 Inters. Com. Rep. 15.

The circumstances and conditions touching the transportation of passengers and freight to and from the Republic of Mexico through El Paso, Texas, by the Texas & Pacific R. Co. are (within the meaning of section 4 of the Interstate Commerce Act) so substantially different from those surrounding transportation to other points on said railway as to justify said company in establishing lower rates at El Paso on freight transported for export into and received from Mexico and for delivery at El Paso than is charged at points between that city and the points where the freights originate and where the distance and haul are shorter.

Re Tex. & Pac. R. Co. (U. S. C. C. E. D. of La.) 1 Inters. Com. Rep. 30.

For proceedings of the Commission relating to complaints for violation of the Fourth Sec tion, applications for suspension, and orders suspending its operation, see Index infra, under title "Long and Short Haul."

RULES OF CONSTRUCTION.

Where English Statutes have been adopted, the settled construction of those statutes is incorporated in the Acts adopting them.

McDonald v. Hovey, 110 U. S. 619 (28 L. ed. 269); Cathcart v. Robinson, 30 U. S. 5 Pet. 265 (8 L. ed. 120); Pennock v. Dialogue, 27 U. S. 2 Pet. 1 (7 L. ed. 327); McCool v. Smith, 66 U. S. 1 Black, 459 (17 L. ed. 218); The Abbotsford, 98 U. S. 440 (25 L. ed. 168).

See Address by Senator Cullom, 1 Inters. Com. Rep. 300.

Transportation in a foreign country is not affected by the English Acts.

Branley v. South Eastern R. Co. 12 C. B. N. S. 63; Zunz v. South Eastern R. Co. L. R. 4 Q. B. 539; S. C. 38 L. J. Q. B. 209.

The Commission has no authority to call a railroad company to account for any wrong of which such company may have been guilty prior to April, 1887, when the Interstate Commerce Act went into operation.

Holbrook v. St. Paul, M. & M. R. Co. 1 Inters. Com. Rep. 323; Ottinger v. Southern P. R. Co. 1 Inters. Com. Rep. 607.

Where no overt acts of misconduct on the part of a defendant railroad company, which could support any judgment of the Commission or any mandatory order, are made to appear, the Commission has no discretion but to dismiss the complaint.

Holbrook v. St. Paul, M. & M. R. Co. 1 Inters. Com. Rep. 323.

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12. Affidavits, before whom taken. Applications to the Commission for special exception under the Act will be granted only after investigation of the facts, upon a verified petition formally presenting a case.

Re Southern P. R. Co. 1 Inters. Com. Rep. 16; Re Petition of R. Conductors, 1 Inters. Com. Rep. 18.

The Commission cannot make an order or give an opinion in advance of an actual complaint and hearing.

Re Inmates of Nat. Homes, 1 Inters. Com. Rep. 75; Re Petition of R. Conductors, and Re Theatrical Rates, 1 Inters. Com. Rep. 18.

A desire to obtain a construction of the Interstate Commerce Act is not sufficient to support a proceeding before the Commission.

Boston & A. R. Co. v. Boston & L. R. Co. 1 Inters. Com. Rep. 571.

But it is not held that a complainant must necessarily have a pecuniary interest in order to entitle him to be heard; and it seems, under the provisions of the Act, that when an infraction of the Act would constitute a public grievance, it may be the duty of the Commission to investigate it, when brought to its attention by a responsible party in a duly authenticated form. ld.

Held, that the persons composing the Vermont State Grange of the Patrons of Husbandry had such an interest that it was proper that they, as an association, should raise a question

as to the justice of the high rates complained | Leonardo. Union P. R. Co. 1 Inters. Com. of by them, and that the proceeding was main- Rep. 627. tainable upon their petition. Id.

When an important question is raised by the pleading in the case, the determination of which will affect others quite as much as the parties before the Commission, but the parties give their attention almost exclusively to the other questions, and neither by the evidence nor in argument supply the Commission with the information to enable it to be understandingly determined, the Commission will decline to decide it, and leave the parties to bring it forward again as they may be advised.

Rice v. Louisville & N. R. Co. 1 Inters. Com. Rep. 722.

An amendment to a complaint seeking to introduce new grievances and charges will not not be allowed.

Riddle v. Balt. & O. R. R. Co. 1 Inters. Com. Rep. 701.

Where complaint was served on receiver of defendant company, naming him as its president and alleging that the prior receivership had determinated, upon answer that the receivership still existed, leave was given to amend the complaint to show the existence of the receivership.

Reynolds v. Western, N. Y. & P. R. Co. 1 Inters. Com. Rep. 685.

A motion to dismiss a complaint denied, because: 1, no notice of motion had been given; and 2, because the object of the motion was to reach the merits of the case and have them passed upon summarily, instead of at the customary final hearing.

Associated Grocers of St. Louis v. Mo. P. R. Co. 1 Inters. Com. Rep. 321.

It is the desire of the Commission that the practice and proceedings shall be as simple as possible, and that final hearings be had forth with, without the interposition of dilatory motions, etc. Id.

Complaint dismissed, where complainant failed to appear at the hearing after notice thereof.

Jackson v. St. Louis, A. & T. R. Co. 1 Inters. Com. Rep. 599.

On a petition charging the exaction of unreasonable rates, the burden of proof is on the petitioner to sustain the charges by evidence which shows with reasonable certainty that they are in substance true.

Harding v. Chicago, St. P. M. & O. R. Co. 1 Inters. Com. Rep. 375.

Hence, petition charging that the rates on twine for harvesters, from Chicago to Hudson, was unreasonable, dismissed without prejudice, where the answer denied that the rate was unreasonable, and showed that it had been reduced, and neither party offered any evidence. ld.

The complaint charged unjust discrimina tion in exacting an extra rate for transporting cattle in a Burton stock car; the answer denied the fact of unjust discrimination, and no proof was given by either side. Held, that it is impossible for the Commission to say that if all the facts were before it, the greater charge could not be justified; and hence, as it is not suggested that further proceedings are desired, the case must stand dismissed, but without prejudice.

The Interstate Commerce Act contemplates that when a complaint is made against a carrier, on the ground of exorbitant rates, the carrier may change its rates before a hearing is had, so as to remedy the matter complained of, if it shall see proper so to do.

Fulton v. Chicago, St. P. M. & O. R. Co. 1 Inters. Com. Rep. 375.

Hence, petition dismissed without prejudice, where it appeared from a reply filed by the complainant to the defendant's answer, that the rates originally complained of had been reduced, and no complaint was made against such reduced rates. Id.

If, at a hearing before the Commission, of a complaint against a railroad company, the defendant avows a purpose to comply with the Law, the Commission must not only assume that the company will do so but must act upon that assumption until it has evidence that the purpose is not lived up to.

Holbrook v. St. Paul, M. & M. R. Co. 1 Inters. Com. Rep. 323.

Under the English Act, where the company admitted having made an undue preference, but asserted that the cause of complaint had been removed before the application for an injunction had been filed, so that it was not necessary that an injunction should issue, held, that the complainant was entitled to an injunction for the future.

Macfarlane v. N. B. R. Co. 4 R. & Can. Traf. Cas. 269.

But an attachment for disobedience to a writ of injunction was refused where it appeared by affidavits of the company that it was endeavoring to conform to the order of the court, although it appeared that the reformed scale of charges still operated in some respects inju riously to the interests of the complainants and advantageously to the other parties.

Ransome v. Eastern Counties R. Co. 4 C. B. N. S. 159; 1 Nev. & Mac. 116.

While the Commission will grant an application for rehearing for the correction of an error of law or fact, it will not direct a rehearing involving an expense to parties, unless satisfied that reargument may have the effect of changing the result. Where the relation of any carrier to the matter complained of is such that it is, in whole or in part, materially responsible for the alleged grievance, and has direct interest in any investigation of the subject matter involved, and the merits of the controversy cannot be investigated and determined in the absence of such carrier as a party, then that carrier should be made a party to the proceeding, and if not a party, no relief can be had against it.

Riddle v. Pittsburgh & L. E. R. Co. 1 Inters. Com. Rep. 773.

where neither by complaint nor by application The Commission will not express an opinion for relief is a case stated which will come within its jurisdiction.

Re Iowa Barb Steel Wire Co. 1 Inters. Com. Rep. 605.

The Commission has no power to construe, interpret or apply the Interstate Commerce Act in advance of an actual act or omission on the

part of a common carrier in contravention of | does not report evidence which is only cumuthe provisions of the Act.

Re Petition of R. Conductors, 1 Inters. Com. Rep. 18; Jurisdiction of the Commission, 1 Inters. Com. Rep. 73.

Upon petitions by railroad companies praying the Commission to "authorize the trunk lines to bill export freight to Boston at New York rates" etc., held, that as any legal ground for affirmative action on the part of the Commission was precluded by the fact that the parties bringing the practice to the attention of the Commission did so with explanations of its propriety and insisting upon its lawfulness, no order should be made on the petitions, but leave should be given to withdraw them.

Re Export Trade of Boston, 1 Inters. Com. Rep. 25.

The report and findings of the Commission upon the evidence relate only to the ascertain ment and presentation of all the material facts necessary to fairly and justly present the merits of the controversy; and the Commission

lative, or which is immaterial or irrelevant, or mere details of evidence already embraced in substantial facts stated, upon which the findings and conclusions of the Commission are made.

Riddle v. Pittsburgh & L. E. R. Co. 1 Inters. Com. Rep. 773.

Where the pleadings present issues of fact which cannot be disposed of by a decision which shall reach the merits without some evidence, and no evidence is presented, the case must be dismissed.

Leonard v. Union P R. Co. 1 Inters. Com. Rep. 627.

The Commission will not make an award of damages where the defendant is entitled to have the amount assessed by a jury.

Riddle v. New York, L. E. & W. R. Co. 1 Inters. Com. Rep. 787; Heck v. E. Tenn. V. & G. R. Co. 1 Inters. Com. Rep. 775; Councill v. Western & A. R. Co. 1 Inters. Com. Rep. 638; Heard v. Ga. R. Co. 1 Inters. Com. 719.

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