Changes

The '''Hepburn Act''' enacted by Congress in June 1906, gave the [[Interstate Commerce Commission]] (ICC) the power to set maximum railroad rates and led to the discontinuation of free passes to loyal shippers. In addition, the ICC could view the railroads' financial records, a task simplified by standardized bookkeeping systems. For any railroad that resisted, the ICC's conditions would remain in effect until the outcome of litigation said otherwise. By the Hepburn Act, the ICC's authority was extended to cover bridges, terminals, ferries, sleeping cars, express companies and oil pipelines.  

The '''Hepburn Act''' enacted by Congress in June 1906, gave the [[Interstate Commerce Commission]] (ICC) the power to set maximum railroad rates and led to the discontinuation of free passes to loyal shippers. In addition, the ICC could view the railroads' financial records, a task simplified by standardized bookkeeping systems. For any railroad that resisted, the ICC's conditions would remain in effect until the outcome of litigation said otherwise. By the Hepburn Act, the ICC's authority was extended to cover bridges, terminals, ferries, sleeping cars, express companies and oil pipelines.  

Along with the [[Elkins Act]] of 1903, the Hepburn Act was a subset of one of President [[Theodore Roosevelt]]'s major 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.