that every unjust and unreasonable charge is prohibited and unlawful. The act creates a Commission and declares that it is authorized and required to execute and enforce the provisions of this act; that the Commission shall investigate, inquire into, report, and order the discontinuance of all violations of these or other provisions of the law, and shall execute the law by petition to the court to enforce such order, which the act requires the court to do whenever the order is lawful." We believe that the commission has tried to carry out this act to the best of its ability. But through the interpetration of the law, by virtue of judicial decision, it has ceased to be a body for the regulation of inter-state carriers. And the Commission says, "That the people should no longer look to this Commission for a protection which it is powerless to extend." Mr. Justice Harlan dissenting from the opinion of the court in the Troy Case, says: "Taken in connection with other decisions defining the powers of the Inter-State Commerce Commission, the present decision, it seems to me, goes far to make that Commission a useless body for all practical purposes, and to defeat many of the important objects designed to be accomplished by the various enactments of Congress relating to inter-state commerce. The Commission was established to protect the public against the improper practices of the transportation companies engaged in commerce among the several states. It has been left, it is true, with power to make reports and to issue protests. But it has been shorn, by judicial interpretation, of authority to do anything of an effective character. It is denied many of the powers which, in my judgment, were intended to be conferred upon it. Besides, the acts of Congress are now so construed as to place communities on the lines of inter-state commerce at the mercy of competing railroad companies engaged in such commerce." The hardships of unreasonable charges either fall upon the farmer who produces the product transported, or upon the consumer; and the middleman, who actually pays the freight, very little, if any, of the loss falls upon him. Also under the present law the only person who can sue the carriers and recover judgment for excessive freight rates is the person who actually pays the freight. The real loser can by no possibility recover any part of this extortion. We believe that this body should take up again this matter and have the law so amended that it shall be so plain that neither the Inter-State Commerce Commission nor the courts can misunderstand or misinterpret its meaning. It is hard to understand many of the discriminations as made by the railroads: Patrons in Massachusetts who are buying feed and flour by the car load find it costs 60 cents per ton more for mixed feed in 200 pound sacks on a 20-ton car, than for a 20-ton car of flour. Also 6 cents per barrel more for flour if it is shipped with feed than in full car lots; also that it costs the farmer $1.80 per ton more for hay shipped from Michigan than it does the regular dealer. The Inter-State Commerce Commission in its eleventh annual report recommended that certain amendments be made to the law. And in its twelfth annual report it makes a renewal of these recommendations. We approve the recommendation of the Worthy Master as to enlarging the powers and duties of the Inter-State Commerce Commission, giving it and charging it with the duty of fixing maximum rates of fare and freight on all inter-state railways. We would further recommend that the Legislative Committee of the National Grange be instructed to prepare a Bill in conformity with the above recommendation and urge its passage by Congress. Resolved: That the ninth recommendation of the Worthy Master's address in regard to "The speedy construction of the Nicaragua canal by the United States," is recommended for adoption. Your Committee recommends the adoption of the following, offered by Bro. W. M. Hilleary of Oregon: "Resolved: That the National Grange of the Patrons of Husbandry, reaffirms its frequently expressed conviction of the urgent importance of the completion and ownership by the United States, of the Nicaragua Canal and making it an available highway of commerce. "Resolved: That the Legislative Committee of this Grange make every effort to impress upon the Congress of the United States the urgent necessity of making appropriations for this purpose, especially in view of the opportunities for increased interchange of business and trade between the Atlantic and Pacific sea coasts, which call for shorter routes for the agricultural and manufacturer's products to the markets of the world." Resolved: That the tenth recommendation of the Worthy Master's address in regard to "The speedy construction of a ship canal connecting the Mississippi river with the Great Lakes, and the Great Lakes with the Atlantic ocean," is approved. "WHEREAS, The interests of the whole country, the reinforcement of our Navy, the enlargement of foreign markets for our surplus products, the increased employment of our workingmen in the mine, foundry, factory and shipyard, and the training of able seamen, would all be promoted by the restoration of our merchant marine to its former position on the seas of the world, therefore "Resolved: That in the opinion of this organization it is the duty of Congress at the earliest day possible to enact such legislation as will enable American built mail carriers and freighters to successfully compete with the subsidized and bountied merchant ships of foreign countries in the carrying of our imports and exports." The foregoing resolution, offered by Bro. O. Gardner of Maine, is respectfully referred back to the National Grange for action. W. C. JEWETT, Committee. On motion of Bro. T. C. Atkeson of West Virginia, the consideration of the resolution on the subject of subsidies to the merchant marine, which was referred back to the Grange by the adoption of the report of the Committee on Transportation, was made the special order for 10 o'clock, Wednesday, 22d inst. On motion of Bro. T. C. Atkeson of West Virginia, it was ordered that the installation of officers of the National Grange be made the special order for 7:30 o'clock P. M., Wednesday, 22d inst. At 5:25 o'clock P. M., the labors of the day were closed. ARMORY HALL, Springfield, O., Nov. 21, 1899. At 7:30 o'clock p. m. there was held a meeting of the Priests of Demeter. All officers were in their places and business transacted which has special reference to the work of the Assembly, a record of which was preserved for future reference. GEO. B. HORton, Annalist. SEVENTH DAY. WEDNESDAY, November 22, 1899. The Grange reassembled in Armory Hall at 9:30 o'clock a. m., and was opened for work in the fourth degree. Worthy Master Aaron Jones presided and Sister Cordelia Atkeson, of West Virginia, occupied the chair of Worthy Ceres, pro tem. The roll was called by the Worthy Secretary and a quorum of members responded. Tuesday's Journal was read and approved. Under the call for reports of Standing Committees, Bro. George W. Baird, Chairman, presented the report of the Committee on Mileage and Per Diem, following, which was adopted: Worthy Master:-Your Committee on Mileage and Per Diem, would respectfully report as follows: |