it created, was in direct response to the public's request for regulation of the railroad industry. This was the first law created to restrain an industry's practices in the United States.
The reason for it, if not made clear by reading the transcript of the Interstate Commerce Act below, was that the railroad industry, especially after the Civil War, was in the hands of a very few people who put profit before all other considerations, including safety and service.
Transcript of Interstate Commerce Act (1887)
Forty-Ninth Congress of the United States of America;
At the Second Session,
Begun and held at the City of Washington on Monday,
the sixth day of December, one thousand eight hundred and
eighty-six
An act to regulate Commerce.
Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the United States
of America in Congress assembled, That the provisions of this act shall
apply to any common carrier or carriers engaged in the
transportation of passengers or property wholly by railroad, or partly by
railroad and partly by water when both are used, under a common
control, management, or arrangement, for a continuous carriage or
shipment, from one State or Territory of the United States, or the District
of Columbia, to any other State or Territory of the United States, or
the District of Columbia, or from any place in the United States to an
adjacent foreign country, or from any place in the
United States through a foreign country to any other place in the United
States, and also to the transportation in like manner of property
shipped from any place in the United States to a foreign country and carried
from such place to a port of trans-shipment, or shipped from a foreign
country to any place in the United States and carried to such place
from a port of entry either in the United States or an adjacent foreign
country: Provided, however, That the provisions of this act shall not
apply to the transportation of passengers or property, or to the
receiving, delivering, storage, or handling of property, wholly within one
State, and not shipped to or from a foreign country from or to any State
or Territory as aforesaid.
The term "railroad" as used in this act shall include all bridges and
ferries used or operated in connection with any railroad, and also
all the road in use by any corporation operating a railroad, whether
owned or operated under a contract, agreement, or lease; and the term
"transportation" shall include all instrumentalities of shipment or
carriage.
All charges made for any service rendered or to be rendered in the
transportation of passengers or property as aforesaid, or in connection
therewith, or for the receiving, delivering, storage, or handling of such
property, shall be reasonable and just; and every unjust and
unreasonable charge for such service is prohibited and declared to be unlawful.
Sec. 2. That if any common carrier subject to the provisions of this
act shall, directly or indirectly, by any special rate, rebate,
drawback, or other device, charge, demand, collect, or receive from any
person or persons a greater or less compensation for any service rendered,
or to be rendered, in the transportation of passengers or property,
subject to the provisions of this act, than it charges, demands, collects,
or receives from any other person or persons for doing for him or them
a like and contemporaneous service in the transportation of a like
kind of traffic under substantially similar circumstances and conditions,
such common carrier shall be deemed guilty of unjust
discrimination, which is hereby prohibited and declared to be unlawful.
Sec. 3. That it shall be unlawful for any common carrier subject to the
provisions of this act to make or give any undue or unreasonable
preference or advantage to any particular person, company, firm,
corporation, or locality, or any particular description of traffic, in any
respect whatsoever, or to subject any particular person, company, firm,
corporation, or locality, or any particular description of traffic, to
any undue or unreasonable prejudice or disadvantage in any respect
whatsoever.
Every common carrier subject to the provisions of this act shall
according to their respective powers, afford all reasonable, proper, and
equal facilities for the interchange of traffic between their respective
lines, and for the receiving, forwarding, and delivering of passengers
and property to and from their several lines and those connection
therewith, and shall not discriminate in their rates and charges between
such connecting lines; but this shall not be construed as requiring any
such common carrier to give the use of its tracks or terminal
facilities to another carrier engaged in like business.
Sec. 4. That it shall be unlawful for any common carrier subject to the
provisions of this act to charge or receive any greater compensation in
the aggregate for the transportation of passengers or of like kind of
property, under substantially similar circumstances and conditions, for
a shorter than for a longer distance over the same line, in the same
direction, the shorter being included within the longer distance; but
this shall not be construed as authorizing any common carrier within the
terms of this act to charge and receive as great compensation for a
shorter as for a longer distance: Provided, however, That upon application
to the Commission appointed under the provisions of this act, such
common carrier may, in special cases, after investigation by the
Commission, be authorized to charge less for
longer than for shorter distances for the transportation of passengers or
property; and the Commission may from time to time prescribe the extent
to which such designated common carrier may be relieved from the
operation of this section of this act.
Sec. 5. That it shall be unlawful for any common carrier subject to the
provisions of this act to enter into any contract, agreement, or
combination with any other common carrier or carriers for the pooling of
freights of different and competing railroads, or to divide between them
the aggregate or net proceeds of the earnings of such railroads, or any
portion thereof; and in any case of an agreement for the pooling of
freights as aforesaid, each day of its continuance shall be deemed a
separate offense.
Sec. 6. That every common carrier subject to the provisions of this act
shall print and keep for public inspection schedules showing the
rates and fares and charges for the transportation of passengers and
property which any such common carrier has established and which are in force
at the time upon its railroad, as defined by the first section of this
act. The schedules printed as aforesaid by any such common carrier
shall plainly state the places upon its railroad between which property and
passengers will be carried, and shall contain the classification of
freight in force upon such railroad, and shall also state separately the
terminal charges and any rules or regulations which in any wise change,
affect, or determine any part or the aggregate of such aforesaid rates
and fares and charges. Such schedules shall be plainly printed in
large type, of at least the size of ordinary pica, and copies for the
use of the public shall be kept in every depot or station upon any
such railroad, in such places and in such form that they can be
conveniently inspected.
Any common carrier subject to the provisions of this act receiving
freight in the United States to be carried through a foreign country to any
place in the United States shall also in like manner print and keep for
public inspection, at every depot where such freight is received for
shipment, schedules showing the through rates established and charged by
such common carrier to all points in the United States beyond the
foreign country to which it accepts freight for shipment; and any freight
shipped from the United States through a foreign country into the United
States, the through rate on which shall not have been made public as
required by this act, shall, before it is admitted into the United States
from said foreign country, be subject to customs duties as if said
freight were of foreign production; and any law in conflict with this
section is hereby repealed.
No advance shall be made in the rates, fares, and charges which have
been established and published as aforesaid by any common carrier in
compliance with the requirements of this section, except after ten days'
public notice, which shall plainly state the changes proposed to be
made in the schedule then in force, and the time when the increased rates,
fares, or charges will go into effect; and the proposed changes shall
be shown by printing new schedules, or shall be plainly indicated upon
the schedules in force at the time and kept for public inspection.
Reductions in such published rates, fares, or charges may be made without
previous public notice; but whenever any such reduction is made, notice
of the same shall immediately be publicly posted and the changes made
shall immediately be made public by printing new schedules, or shall
immediately be plainly indicated upon the schedules at the time in force
and kept for public inspection.
And when any such common carrier shall have established and published
its rates, fares, and charges in compliance with the provisions of this
section, it shall be unlawful for such common carrier to charge,
demand, collect, or receive from any person or persons a greater or less
compensation for the transportation of passengers or property, or for any
services in connection therewith, than is specified in such published
schedule of rates, fares, and charges as may at the time be in force.
Every common carrier subject to the provisions of this act shall file
with the Commission hereinafter provided for copies of its schedules of
rates, fares, and charges which have been established and published in
compliance with the requirements of this section, and shall promptly
notify said Commission of all changes made in the same. Every such common
carrier shall also file with said Commission copies of all contracts,
agreements, or arrangements with other common carriers in relation to
any traffic affected by the provisions of this act to which it may be a
party. And in cases where passengers and freight pass over continuous
lines or routes operated by more than one common carrier, and the several
common carriers operating such lines or routes establish joint tariffs
of rates or fares or charges for such continuous lines or routes,
copies of such joint tariffs shall also, in like manner, be filed with said
Commission. Such joint rates, fares, and charges on such continuous
lines so filed as aforesaid shall be made public by such common carriers
when directed by said Commission, in so far as may, in the judgment of
the Commission, be deemed practicable; and said Commission shall from
time to time prescribe the measure of publicity which shall be given to
such rates, fares, and charges, or to such part of them as it may deem
it practicable for such common carriers to publish, and the places in
which they shall be published; but no common carrier party to any such
joint tariff shall be liable for the failure of any other common carrier
party thereto to observe and adhere to the rates, fares, or charges
thus made and published.
If any such common carrier shall neglect or refuse to file or publish
its schedules or tariffs of rates, fares, and charges as provided in
this section, or any part of the same, such common carrier shall, in
addition to other penalties herein prescribed, be subject to a writ of
mandamus, to be issued by any circuit court of the United States in the
judicial district wherein the principal office of said common carrier
is situated or wherein such offense may be committed, and if such
common carrier be a foreign corporation, in the judicial circuit wherein
such common carrier accepts traffic and has an agent to perform such
service, to compel compliance with the aforesaid provisions of this section;
and such writ shall issue in the name of the people of the United
States, at the relation of the Commissioners appointed under the provisions
of this act; and failure to comply with its requirements shall be
punishable as and for a contempt; and the said Commissioners, as
complainants, may also apply, in any such circuit of the United States, for a
writ of injunction against such common carrier, to restrain such common
carrier from receiving or transporting property among the several
States and Territories of the United States, or between the United States
and adjacent foreign countries, or between ports of transshipment and
of entry and the several States and Territories of the United States, as
mentioned in the first section of this act, until such common carrier
shall have complied with the aforesaid provisions of this section of
this act.
Sec. 7. That it shall be unlawful for any common carrier subject to the
provisions of this act to enter into any combination, contract, or
agreement, expressed or implied, to prevent, by change of time schedule,
carriage in different cars, or by other means or devices, the carriage of
freights from being continuous from the place of shipment to the place
of destination; and no break of bulk, stoppage, or interruption made by
such common carrier shall prevent the carriage of freights from being
and being treated as one continuous carriage from the place of shipment
to the place of destination, unless such break, stoppage, or
interruption was made in good faith for some necessary purpose, and without any
intent to avoid or unnecessarily interrupt such continuous carriage or
to evade any of the provisions of this act.
Sec. 8. That in case any common carrier subject to the provisions of
this act shall do, cause to be done, or permit to be done any act,
matter, or thing in this act prohibited or declared to be unlawful, or shall
omit to do any act, matter, or thing in this act required to be done,
such common carrier shall be liable to the person or persons injured
thereby for the full amount of damages sustained in consequence of any
such violation of the provisions of this act, together with a reasonable
counsel or attorney's fee, to be fixed by the court in every case of
recovery, which attorney's fee shall be taxed and collected as part of the
costs in the case.
Sec. 9. That any person or persons claiming to be damaged by any common
carrier subject to the provisions of this act may either make complaint
to the Commission as hereinafter provided for, or may bring suit in his
or their own behalf for the recovery of the damages for which such
common carrier may be liable under the provisions of this act, in any
district or circuit court of the United States of competent
jurisdiction; but such person or persons shall not have the right to pursue both
of said remedies, and must in each case elect which one of the two
methods of procedure herein provided for he or they will adopt. In any such
action brought for the recovery of damages the court before which the
same shall be pending may compel any director, officer, receiver,
trustee, or agent of the corporation or company defendant in such suit to
attend, appear, and testify in such case, and may compel the production of
the books and papers of such corporation or company party to any such
suit; the claim that any such testimony or evidence may tend to
criminate the person giving such evidence shall not excuse such witness from
testifying, but such evidence or testimony shall not be used against such
person on the trial of any criminal proceeding.
Sec. 10. That any common carrier subject to the provisions of this act,
or, whenever such common carrier is a corporation, any director or
officer thereof, or any receiver, trustee, lessee, agent, or person acting
for or employed by such corporation, who, alone or with any other
corporation, company, person, or party, shall willfully do or cause to be
done, or shall willingly suffer or permit to be done, any act, matter, or
thing in this act prohibited or declared to be unlawful, or who shall
aid or abet therein, or shall willfully omit or fail to do any act,
matter, or thing in this act required to be done, or shall cause or
willingly suffer or permit any act, matter, or thing so directed or required
by this act to be done not to be so done, or shall aid or abet any such
omission or failure, or shall be guilty of any infraction of this act,
or shall aid or abet therein, shall be deemed guilty of a
misdemeanor, and shall, upon conviction thereof in any district court of the
United States within the jurisdiction of which such offense was committed,
be subject to a fine of not to exceed five thousand dollars for each
offense.
Sec. 11. That a Commission is hereby created and established to be
known as the Inter-State Commerce
Commission, which shall be composed of five Commissioners, who shall be
appointed by the President, by and with the advice and consent of the
Senate. The Commissioners first appointed under this act shall continue in
office for the term of two, three, four, five, and six years,
respectively, from the first day of January, anno Domini eighteen
hundred and eighty-seven, the term of each to be designated by the
President; but their successors shall be appointed for terms of six years,
except that any person chosen to fill a vacancy shall be appointed only
for the unexpired term of the Commissioner whom he shall succeed. Any
Commissioner may be removed by the President for inefficiency, pneglect
of duty], or malfeasance in office. Not more than three of the
Commissioners shall be appointed from the same political party. No person
in the employ of or holding any official relation to any common carrier
subject to the provisions of this act, or owning stock or bonds
thereof, or who is in any manner pecuniarily interested therein, shall enter
upon the duties of or hold such office. Said Commissioners shall not
engage in any other business, vocation, or employment. No vacancy in
the Commission shall impair the right of the remaining Commissioners to
exercise all the powers of the Commission.
Sec. 12. That the Commission hereby created shall have authority to
inquire into the management of the business of all common carriers subject
to the provisions of this act, and shall keep itself informed as to the
manner and method in which the same is conducted, and shall have the
right to obtain from such common carriers full and complete information
necessary to enable the Commission to perform the duties and carry out
the objects for which it was created; and for the purposes of this act
the Commission shall have power to require the attendance and testimony
of witnesses and the production of all books, papers, tariffs,
contracts, agreements, and documents relating to any matter under
investigation, and to that end may invoke the aid of any court of the United States
in requiring the attendance and testimony of witnesses and the
production of books, papers, and documents under the provisions of this
section.
And any of the circuit courts of the United States within the
jurisdiction of which such inquiry is carried on may, in case of contumacy or
refusal to obey a subpoena issued to any common carrier subject to
the provisions of this act, or other person, issue an order requiring
such common carrier or other person to appear before said Commission (and
produce books and papers if so ordered) and give evidence touching the
matter in question; and any failure to obey such order of the court may
be punished by such court as a contempt thereof. The claim that any
such testimony or evidence may tend to criminate the person giving such
evidence shall not excuse such witness from testifying; but such evidence
or testimony shall not be used against such person on the trial of any
criminal proceeding.
Sec. 13. That any person, firm, corporation, or association, or any
mercantile, agricultural, or manufacturing society, or any body politic or
municipal organization complaining of anything done or omitted to be
done by any common carrier subject to the provisions of this act in
contravention of the provisions thereof, may apply to said Commission by
petition, which shall briefly state the facts; whereupon a statement of
the charges thus made shall be forwarded by the Commission to such
common carrier, who shall be called upon to satisfy the complaint or to
answer the same in writing within a reasonable time, to be specified by
the Commission. If such common carrier, within the time specified, shall
make reparation for the injury alleged to have been done, said
carrier shall be relieved of liability to the complainant only for the
particular violation of law thus complained of. If such carrier shall not
satisfy the complaint within the time specified, or there shall appear to
be any reasonable ground for investigating said complaint, it shall be
the duty of the Commission to investigate the matters complained of in
such manner and by such means as it shall deem proper.
Said Commission shall in like manner investigate any complaint
forwarded by the railroad commissioner or railroad commission of any State or
Territory, at the request of such commissioner or commission, and may
institute any inquiry on its own motion in the same manner and to the
same effect as though complaint had been made.
No complaint shall at any time be dismissed because of the absence of
direct damage to the complainant.
Sec. 14. That whenever an investigation shall be made by said
Commission, it shall be its duty to make a report in writing in respect thereto,
which shall include the findings of fact upon which the conclusions of
the Commission are based, together with its recommendation as to what
reparation, if any, should be made by the common carrier to any party or
parties who may be found to have been injured; and such findings so
made shall thereafter, in all judicial proceedings, be deemed prima
facie evidence as to each and every fact found.
All reports of investigations made by the Commission shall be entered
of record, and a copy thereof shall be furnished to the party who may
have complained, and to any common carrier that may have been complained
of.
Sec. 15. That if in any case in which an investigation shall be made by
said Commission it shall be made to appear to the satisfaction of the
Commission, either by the testimony of witnesses or other evidence, that
anything has been done or omitted to be done in violation of the
provisions of this act, or of any law cognizable by said Commission, by any
common carrier, or that any injury or damage has been sustained by the
party or parties complaining, or by other parties aggrieved in
consequence of any such violation, it shall be the duty of the Commission to
forth with cause a copy of its report in respect thereto to be delivered
to such common carrier, together with a notice to said common carrier
to cease and desist from such violation, or to make reparation for the
injury so found to have been done, or both, within a reasonable time, to
be specified by the Commission; and if, within the time specified, it
shall be made to appear to the Commission that such common carrier has
ceased from such violation of law, and has made reparation for the
injury found to have been done, in compliance with the report and notice of
the Commission, or to the satisfaction of the party complaining, a
statement to that effect shall be entered of record by the Commission, and
the said common carrier shall thereupon be relieved from further
liability or penalty for such particular violation of law.
Sec. 16. That whenever any common carrier, as defined in and subject to
the provisions of this act, shall violate or refuse or neglect to obey
any lawful order or requirement of the Commission in this act named, it
shall be the duty of the Commission, and lawful for any company or
person interested in such order or requirement, to apply, in a summary way,
by petition, to the circuit court of the United States sitting in
equity in the judicial district in which the common carrier complained of
has its principal office, or in which the violation or disobedience of
such order or requirement shall happen, alleging such violation or
disobedience, as the case may be; and the said court shall have power to hear
and determine the matter, on such short notice to the common carrier
complained of as the court shall deem reasonable; and such notice may be
served on such common carrier, his or its officers, agents, or
servants, in such manner as the court shall direct; and said court shall
proceed to hear and determine the matter speedily as a court of equity, and
without the formal pleadings and proceedings applicable to ordinary
suits in equity, but in such manner as to do justice in the premises; and
to this end such court shall have power, if it think fit, to direct and
prosecute, in such mode and by such persons as it may appoint, all such
inquiries as the court may think needful to enable it to form a just
judgment in the matter of such petition; and on such hearing the report
of said Commission shall be prima facie evidence of the matters therein
stated; and if it be made to appear to such court, on such hearing or
on report of any such person or persons, that the lawful order or
requirement of said Commission drawn in question has been violated or
disobeyed, it shall be lawful for such court to issue a writ of injunction or
other proper process, mandatory or otherwise, to restrain such common
carrier from further continuing such violation or disobedience of such
order or requirement of said Commission, and enjoining obedience to the
same; and in case of any disobedience of any such writ of injunction or
other proper process, mandatory or otherwise, it shall be lawful for
such court to issue writs of attachment, or any other process of said
court incident or applicable to writs of injunction or other proper
process, mandatory or otherwise, against such common carrier, and if a
corporation, against one or more of the directors, officers, or agents of
the same, or against any owner, lessee, trustee, receiver, or other
person failing to obey such writ of injunction or other proper process,
mandatory or otherwise; and said court may, if it shall think fit, make an
order directing such common carrier or other person so disobeying such
writ of injunction or other proper process, mandatory or otherwise, to
pay such sum of money not exceeding for each carrier or person in
default the sum of five hundred dollars for every day after a day to be
named in the order that such carrier or other person shall fail to obey
such injunction or other proper process, mandatory or otherwise; and
such moneys shall be payable as the court shall direct, either to the
party complaining, or into court to abide the ultimate decision of the
court, or into the Treasury; and payment thereof
may, without prejudice to any other mode of recovering the same, be
enforced by attachment or order in the nature of a writ of execution, in
like manner as if the same had been recovered by a final decree in
personam in such court. When the subject in dispute shall be of the value
of two thousand dollars or more, either party to such proceeding
before said court may appeal to the Supreme Court of the United States,
under the same regulations now provided by law in respect of security for
such appeal; but such appeal shall not operate to stay or supersede the
order of the court or the execution of any writ or process thereon; and
such court may, in every such matter, order the payment of such costs
and counsel fees as shall be deemed reasonable. Whenever any such
petition shall be filed or presented by the Commission it shall be the duty
of the district attorney, under the direction of the
Attorney-General of the United States, to prosecute the same; and the costs and
expenses of such prosecution shall be paid out of the appropriation for the
expenses of the courts of the United States. For the purposes of this
act, excepting its penal provisions, the circuit courts of the United
States shall be deemed to be always in session.
Sec. 17. That the Commission may conduct its proceedings in such manner
as will best conduce to the proper dispatch of business and to the
ends of justice. A majority of the Commission shall constitute a quorum
for the transaction of business, but no Commissioner shall participate
in any hearing or proceeding in which he has any pecuniary interest.
Said Commission may, from time to time, make or amend such general
rules or orders as may be requisite for the order and regulation of
proceedings before it, including forms of notices and the service thereof,
which shall conform, as nearly as may be, to those in use in the courts of
the United States. Any party may appear before said Commission and be
heard, in person or by attorney. Every vote and official act of the
Commission shall be entered of record, and its proceedings shall be public
upon the request of either party interested. Said Commission shall have
an official seal, which shall be judicially noticed. Either of the
members of the Commission may administer oaths and affirmations.
Sec. 18. That each Commissioner shall receive an annual salary of
seven thousand five hundred dollars, payable in the same manner as the
salaries of judges of the courts of the United States. The Commission
shall appoint a secretary, who shall receive an annual salary of three
thousand five hundred dollars, payable in like manner. The Commission
shall have authority to employ and fix the compensation of such other
employees as it may find necessary to the proper performance of its
duties, subject to the approval of the Secretary of the Interior.
The Commission shall be furnished by the Secretary of the Interior with
suitable offices and all necessary office supplies. Witnesses summoned
before the Commission shall be paid the same fees and mileage that
are paid witnesses in the courts of the United States.
All of the expenses of the Commission, including all necessary expenses
for transportation incurred by the Commissioners, or by their employees
under their orders, in making any investigation in any other places
than in the city of Washington, shall be allowed and paid, on the
presentation of itemized vouchers therefor approved by the chairman of the
Commission and the Secretary of the Interior.
Sec. 19. That the principal office of the Commission shall be in the
city of Washington, where its general sessions shall be held; but
whenever the convenience of the public or of the parties may be promoted or
delay or expense prevented thereby, the Commission may hold special
sessions in any part of the United States. It may, by one or more of the
Commissioners, prosecute any inquiry necessary to its duties, in any part
of the United States, into any matter or question of fact pertaining to
the business of any common carrier subject to the provisions of this
act.
Sec. 20. That the Commission is hereby authorized to require annual
reports from all common carriers subject to the provisions of this act,
to fix the time and prescribe the manner in which such reports shall be
made, and to require from such carriers specific answers to all
questions upon which the Commission may need information. Such annual reports
shall show in detail the amount of capital stock issued, the amounts
paid therefor, and the manner of payment for the same; the dividends
paid, the surplus fund, if any, and the number of stockholders; the funded
and floating debts and the interest paid thereon; the cost and value of
the carrier's property, franchises, and equipment; the number of
employees and the salaries paid each class; the amounts expended for
improvements each year, how expended, and the character of such improvements;
the earnings and receipts from each branch of business and from all
sources; the operating and other expenses; the balances of profit and loss;
and a complete exhibit of the financial operations of the carrier each
year, including an annual balance sheet. Such reports shall also
contain such information in relation to rates or regulations concerning fares
or freights, or agreements, arrangements, or contracts with other
common carriers, as the Commission may require; and the said Commission may,
within its discretion, for the purpose of enabling it the better to
carry out the purposes of this act, prescribe (if in the opinion of the
Commission it is practicable to prescribe such uniformity and methods of
keeping accounts) a period of time within which all common carriers
subject to the provisions of this act shall have, as near as may be,
a uniform system of accounts, and the manner in which such accounts
shall be kept.
Sec. 21. That the Commission shall, on or before the first day of
December in each year, make a report to the Secretary of the Interior,
which shall be by him transmitted to Congress, and copies of which shall
be distributed as are the other reports issued from the Interior
Department. This report shall contain such information and data collected by
the Commission as may be considered of value in the determination of
questions connected with the regulation of commerce, together with such
recommendations as to additional legislation relating thereto as the
Commission may deem necessary.
Sec. 22. That nothing in this act shall apply to the carriage,
storage, or handling of property free or at reduced rates for the United
States, State, or municipal governments, or for charitable purposes, or
to or from fairs and expositions for exhibition thereat, or the
issuance of mileage, excursion, or commutation passenger tickets;
nothing in this act shall be construed to prohibit any common carrier from
giving reduced rates to ministers of religion; nothing in this act shall
be construed to prevent railroads from giving free carriage to their
own officers and employees, or to prevent the principal officers of any
railroad company or companies from exchanging passes or tickets with
other railroad companies for their officers and employees; and nothing in
this act contained shall in any way abridge or alter the remedies now
existing at common law or by statute, but the provisions of this act are
in addition to such remedies: Provided, That no pending litigation
shall in any way be affected by this act.
Sec. 23. That the sum of one hundred thousand dollars is hereby
appropriated for the use and purposes of this act for the fiscal year ending
June thirtieth, anno Domini eighteen hundred and eighty-eight,
and the intervening time anterior thereto.
Sec. 24. That the provisions of sections eleven and eighteen of this
act, relating to the appointment and organization of the Commission
herein provided for, shall take effect immediately, and the remaining
provisions of this act shall take effect sixty days after its passage.
Approved, February 4, 1887.