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The purpose of this report is to provide in convenient form the material for a comparative study of State taxation, and as such it will doubtless prove to be of marked assistance to State legislators in those States where this question is being discussed.

THE LIBRARY OF THE COMMISSION.

In a former report attention was called to the gradual collection of a library of transportation, which the public as well as the Commission have opportunity to use. As was then stated, it was believed that the assembling here at the National Capital, in such form as to be easily accessible, of the great mass of literature relating to railroads and transportation in general was well worth the small outlay required. Existing as it does in great part in periodical articles, in pamphlets and documents, more or less fragmentary and fugitive, nevertheless it is the record of the growth and progress of one of the largest and most highly developed industries of the country, and as such must be of increasing interest and value.

This undertaking has been steadily pursued since the collection was begun, and the library has now reached such proportions and is so conveniently arranged as to be of special service to students of the legal and economic phases of transportation, as well as to those concerned with the history of railroads or with the practical details of their management. To meet increasing demands, the original limits of this work have been from time to time extended until it now covers, with some degree of completeness, nearly every branch of the subject to which it is devoted.

From the announcement of its existence the public interest in the collection has been manifested to a degree that would seem to amply justify the slight expense incurred for its maintenance. Its resources are in very general use by economists and writers, by students in the colleges and universities, and by practical railroad men from all parts of the country and even from foreign countries, while a large number have availed themselves of its facilities by mail when such a course was practicable.

Accessions to the Library during the past year number some four or five hundred volumes, besides several hundred pamphlets and documents (a large part of which involved no expenditure of money), upon various subjects connected with railroads, transportation, and internal commerce and the current periodicals devoted to transportation and cognate subjects both of this country and the principal foreign countries.

NATIONAL ASSOCIATION OF RAILWAY COMMISSIONERS.

The Fifteenth Annual Convention of the Association of Railway Commissioners was held in the city of Portland, Me., on July 14, 15 and 16, 1903. Representatives from nineteen States and from this

Commission were in attendance. The Association of American Railway Accounting Officers and the Street Railway Accounting Association of America were also represented.

Committee reports were presented on the following topics: Classification of operating and construction expenses of steam railways; form for report of electric railways; grade crossings; railroad statistics; railroad taxes and plans for ascertaining the fair valuation of railroad property; safety appliances and uniform classification and simplification of tariff sheets. These reports were adopted.

The convention, in adopting the report on "uniform classification," recommended that the Government, either through the Interstate Commerce Commission or by some other means, shall establish and put in effect a uniform freight classification, with such exceptions as to commodities as are necessary to meet the actual conditions applicable to different sections of the country, unless such classification shall be adopted and promulgated within a specified period by the carriers themselves.

The convention also adopted a resolution renewing its previous recommendation to Congress for such amendment of the interstate commerce law as will authorize the Interstate Commerce Commission, on complaint that any interstate rate is unreasonable or unjust, and after full hearing to ascertain what rate is reasonable and just in the particular case, to order the carrier to observe that rate for the future, subject to rehearing upon application of the carrier when the conditions may have changed.

A paper was read by Hon. J. V. Smith, chairman of the railroad commission of Alabama, entitled "The relation of business communities to the railroads in the upbuilding of our country and the basis upon which rates of transportation should be fixed."

The next convention will be held on the third Tuesday in November, 1904, in Birmingham or Montgomery, Ala., as the Alabama Railroad Commission may determine.

In conclusion the Commission takes pleasure in saying that the Department of Justice has promptly and cheerfully complied with every request for the prosecution of civil and criminal proceedings, and has in various ways materially aided the efforts of the Commission to enforce the regulating statutes.

All of which is respectfully submitted.

MARTIN A. KNAPP,
JUDSON C. CLEMENTS,
JAMES D. YEOMANS,
CHARLES A. PROUTY,
JOSEPH W. FIFER,

Commissioners.

APPENDIX A.

NAMES AND COMPENSATION OF ALL EMPLOYEES, TOGETHER WITH A STATEMENT OF APPROPRIATION AND EXPENDITURES.

1903.

APPROPRIATION, STATEMENT OF EXPENDITURES, AND PERSONS EMPLOYED BY THE COMMISSION.

STATEMENT OF APPROPRIATION AND AGGREGATE EXPENDITURES FOR THE INTERSTATE COMMERCE COMMISSION FOR THE FISCAL YEAR ENDING JUNE 30, 1903.

Sundry civil act, June 28, 1902.-For salaries of Commis

sioners, as provided by the "act to regulate commerce".. $37,500.00 For salary of secretary, as provided by the "act to regulate commerce"

3,500.00 For all other necessary expenditures to enable the Commission to give effect to and execute the provisions of said "act to regulate commerce"

To enable the Interstate Commerce Commission to keep informed regarding compliance with the "act to promote the safety of employees and travelers upon railroads," approved March 2, 1903, and to enforce the requirements of the said act...

Deficiency act, March 3, 1903.-To enable the Interstate Commerce Commission to give effect to the provisions of the "act to regulate commerce," and all acts and amendments supplementary thereto....

$41,000.00

209,000.00

35,000.00

20,000.00

Total..

305,000.00

Amount paid as salaries to Commissioners and secretary
Amount expended for all other purposes...
Amount expended under “safety-appliance appropriation”.

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Unexpended balance June 30, 1903..

6, 157. 08

DETAILED STATEMENT OF EXPENDITURES OF THE INTERSTATE COMMERCE COMMISSION FOR FISCAL YEAR ENDING JUNE 30, 1903.

Salaries of Commissioners and secretary
Employees:

$41,000.00

One statistician, 12 months, at $291.663 per month....
One assistant secretary, 12 months, at $250 per month.
One solicitor, 12 months, at $250 per month.....
One auditor, 12 months, at $208.333 per month..
One special agent, 12 months, at $208.333 per month...
One assistant statistician, 12 months, at $166.66} per
month.....

$3,500. 00

3,000.00

3,000.00

2,500.00

2,500.00

2,000.00

One assistant auditor, 12 months, at $166.66% per month.
One law clerk, 12 months, at $166.663 per month......
One confidential clerk, 12 months, at $166.663 per month.
One confidential clerk, 11 months, at $166.66% per month.
One assistant attorney, 1 month, at $166.663 per month.
One confidential clerk, 12 months, at $150 per month..

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