Democratic Sentinel, Volume 11, Number 17, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 27 May 1887 — THE INTERSTATE COMMISSION. [ARTICLE]

THE INTERSTATE COMMISSION.

In response to the request of General J. C. Black, Commissioner of Pensions, on behalf of the inmates of the National Homes for Disabled Yolunteer Soldiers for half-fare rates when traveling from one home to another, the Interstate Commission lias made a long written reply. In presenting Ihe case Gea Black said this had been the habit of the roads before the passage of the law, and that the trunk lines were willing to continue the practice, but that some other lines wanted to first have a ruling by the Commissioa After setting forth these facts the opinion says: The meritorious character of this application and the patriotic and humane reasons urged in support of it are lully appreciated and admitted. But the Commission is not referred to any provision of the uct that authorize s it to make un order or express an opinion on an ex-parte application of this nature. In the absence of such authority, an order or opinion would have no validity or weight whatever The fourth section of tho act, relating to long and short hauls is the only one that copiers discretionary powers upon the Commission to make orders lor relief in special cases, anil then only upon the application of 1 arriers. The twenty-second section of the act defines theenses in the transportation of propertv and persons to which tho act si all not apply, and ministers of religion and officers and employes of railroads are iho only persons specified. The statute as enacte 1 must be deemed to express tile deliberate will of the lawmaking body, and the commission is powerless to enlarge or restrict the 6copo. Nor can a construction bo given to it not warranted by language adopted. The trunk lines, according to the petition, have taken the responsibilitV of assuming that the allowance of the halfrates desired does not constitute unjust discrimination. Every enrrier has tne same right to assume its own construction of this provision. The commission can not prematurely impose any construction upon a carrier, however much some particular constrm tion may be desired. Construction is a judicial act involved in thexlocision of some controverted question. With the highest respect for yourself and those you represent, the ccmmishicn regrets that it has 110 power to comply with the requests of the petition. *