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Along with the [[Elkins Act]] of 1903, the Hepburn Act was a major part of one of President [[Theodore Roosevelt]]'s key goals: railroad regulation.  

Along with the [[Elkins Act]] of 1903, the Hepburn Act was a major part of one of President [[Theodore Roosevelt]]'s key goals: railroad regulation.  

The final version was close to what Roosevelt had asked, and easily passed Congress with only three dissenting votes.<ref> Morris, p 446</ref>  The most important provision gave the ICC the power to replace existing rates with "just-and-reasonable" maximum rates, with the ICC to define what was just and reasonable.  The Act made ICC orders binding; that is, the railroads had to either obey or contest the ICC orders in federal court. To speed the process, appeals from the district courts would go directly to the U.S. Supreme Court.   

The final version was close to what Roosevelt had asked, and easily passed Congress with only three dissenting votes.<ref>Morris, p 446</ref>  The most important provision gave the ICC the power to replace existing rates with "just-and-reasonable" maximum rates, with the ICC to define what was just and reasonable.  The Act made ICC orders binding; that is, the railroads had to either obey or contest the ICC orders in federal court. To speed the process, appeals from the district courts would go directly to the U.S. Supreme Court.   

Anti-rebate provisions were toughened, free passes were outlawed, and the penalties for violation were increased. The ICC staff grew from 104 in 1890 to 178 in 1905, 330 in 1907, and 527 in 1909.  Finally, the ICC gained the power to prescribe a uniform system of accounting, require standardized reports, and inspect railroad accounts.<ref>Stone p 12</ref>

Anti-rebate provisions were toughened, free passes were outlawed, and the penalties for violation were increased. The ICC staff grew from 104 in 1890 to 178 in 1905, 330 in 1907, and 527 in 1909.  Finally, the ICC gained the power to prescribe a uniform system of accounting, require standardized reports, and inspect railroad accounts.<ref>Stone p 12</ref>

Scholars consider the Hepburn Act the most important piece of legislation regarding railroads in the first half of the 20th century.  Economists and historians debate whether it crippled the railroads, giving so much advantage to the shippers that a giant unregulated trucking industry--undreamed of in 1906--took away their business.<ref>Martin 1978</ref>

Scholars consider the Hepburn Act the most important piece of legislation regarding railroads in the first half of the 20th century.  Economists and historians debate whether it crippled the railroads, giving so much advantage to the shippers that a giant unregulated trucking industry—undreamed of in 1906—took away their business.<ref>Martin 1978</ref>

   

   

==Further reading==

==Further reading==