hope; but that it will prove an utter failure can not fairly be assumed. In the language of the report, before quoted (as applied to the Senate bill), this measure is not offered as a panacea for all the evils growing out of the management of the transportation system of which the people have for years complained and for which they are disposed to seek a legislative cure. Indeed, as we have already said, "that a problem of such magnitude, importance and intricacy can be summarily solved by a master stroke of legislative wisdom is beyond the bounds of reasonable belief." * * * * * * "Neither is it simply a tentative measure intended to pave the way for additional legislation. Its practical operation * * may demonstrate that some of its features are inexpedient, or unjust to the corporate carriers of the country or prejudicial to the public interests." "The provisions of the bill are based upon the theory that the paramount evil chargeable against the operation of the transportation system of the United States, as now conducted, is unjust discrimination between persons, places, commodities, or particular descriptions of traffic. "The underlying purpose and aim of the measure is the prevention of these discriminations, both by declaring them unlawful and adding to the remedies now available for securing redress and enforcing punishment, and also by requiring the greatest practicable degree of publicity as to the rates, financial operations and methods of management of the carriers." How far, if at all, the enforcement of this Federal law regulating transportation corporations will affect the legislative supervision of railroads by the several States, is a matter beyond the present knowledge of this Commission. Of course such influence, if it shall be found to exist, will be indirect and merely incidental, and can not possibly reach farther than to make it necessary to so amend the State enactments as to put them in harmony with the Federal law. J. P. THOMPSON, Ch'n. I. A. SPALDING, Railroad Commissioners. COMPLAINTS. DISCRIMINATION. W. S. Johnson, etc., vs. The Louisville and Nashville Railroad. HENDERSON, KY. W. S. Johnson, wholesale and retail druggist, complains of discrimination in favor of Evansville, especially in the matter of bridge charges. For instance, freights from the north and east to Henderson have an additional or extra amount added, varying, according to classes of freight, from seven to twelve cents per hundred pounds; whilst the charges for same classes of freight from Evansville to points south of Henderson have only three cents added. It is understood that these extra charges are added for toll over the bridge. W. S. JOHNSON. W. W. Blackwell, of the firm of P. A. Blackwell & Co., wholesale and retail dealers in hardware and agricultural implements, has read the foregoing statement of W. S. Johnson and indorses its correctness. W. W. BLACKWELL. F. H. Frayser, of the firm of sale grocers, has also read W. concurs in its correctness. Wilhoyte & Frayser, whole- George G. Ellis, wholesale and retail grocer, concurs in the statement of W. S. Johnson, and states further, that the rate of freight on groceries—such as sugar, coffee, rice, and molasses -from New Orleans to Henderson, is from seventeen to twenty-one cents per hundred pounds; and that the same rates are charged on the same character of goods from New Orleans to Evansville by the Louisville and Nashville Railroad Company. GEORGE G. ELLIS. REFUSAL TO FURNISH CARS. The Co-operative Mining and Manufacturing Company, of Hopkins County, vs. The Louisville and Nashville Railroad. EARLINGTON, Ky. We come to you asking for information, having been directed to you as the proper person to assist us. We opened a mine about two miles above this place (Earlington) in June, and formed a company under the style and name of the Co-operative Mining and Manufacturing Company, of Hopkins county, Kentucky, and are regularly chartered by the General Assembly of Kentucky as such. The Louisville and Nashville Railroad, we believe, are doing us an injustice; they do not furnish us transportation for our coal to market, although we have repeatedly asked them to furnish us the same. The letter I received from the general manager says that they have not got the cars to give us, and that our output is not large enough to make a proper division, as we have not the capacity; while, on the other hand, we claim that they give the St. Bernard and Hecla Coal Company cars and keep them from us. The Hecla runs every day, and we have had but eleven flats since last Thursday. If it is within your power to help us, we would respectfully ask you to do the same, for which you will receive our heartfelt thanks. We are struggling to make a living; but this work is keeping us back. All we ask is to have a few of the many cars coming by us to this point. If you can give us any advice how to proceed with the railroad, will be much obliged. We are now about fifty flats behind our orders, and can not make any contracts for the summer. Please answer and oblige. Yours, S. PLATT, Secretary, Co-op. M. and M. Co., H. C., Ky. OVERCHARGE. R. D. Barker vs. The Louisville and Nashville Railroad. I was and have been for some time engaged in business as undertaker here, and also as agent for the McCormick Reaper Company, and consequently have a considerable amount of shipping done by rail. The distance from Louisville to this point is forty-seven miles by rail, and the company are charging me forty-five cents per one hundred pounds on freight; I think an amount too steep. I therefore determined to call your attention to such excessive charges, and do hope you will give the matter you attention. They may in answer say that they charge because of the bulk; but in advance I will say that the machinery shipped is taken apart, and so packed and boxed as to require no more space than is required for solid freight. I do feel that these great monopo lies, while of much convenience, should not be permitted to charge such freights as to deprive men from engaging or continuing in business. Hoping to hear from you soon and to hear that this evil will be redressed, I remain, most respectfully, you obedient servant, R. D. BARKER. Copies of the foregoing complaints were forwarded to the Louisville and Nashville Railroad Company by the Secretary of the Commission on the 28th of December, 1886, and on the 17th of the ensuing January he received a reply from Mr. J. M. Culp, General Freight Agent of that company, as follows: LOUISVILLE AND NASHVILLE RAILROAD, Clarence Egbert, Esq., Secretary to State Board Railroad DEAR SIR: I have your favor of the 28th December. I regret that I have not been able to answer it sooner, but absence from home and press of work has delayed reply until now. After making apology for the delay in replying, beg to say: The complaint of the merchants at Henderson has had atten |