Page:United States Statutes at Large Volume 54 Part 1.djvu/968

 934 PUBLIC LAWS-CH. 722-SEPT. 18, 1940 [54 STAT. the business of one or more such carriers, and the Commission shall keep itself informed as to the manner and method in which the same are conducted. The Commission may obtain from such carriers and persons such information as the Commission deems necessary to carry out the Recommendations provisions of this part; and may transmit to Congress from time to to congress. time, such recommendations (including recommendations as to addi- tional legislation) as the Commission may deem necessary. Classification of "(c) The Commission may establish from time to time such just and groups of arriers reasonable classifications of groups of carriers included in the terms 'common carrier by water', or 'contract carrier by water', as the special Rules, regulations, nature of the services performed by such carriers shall require; and such and requirements. and requiremens. ust and reasonable rules, regulations, and requirements consistent with the provisions of this part to be observed by the carriers so classified or grouped, as the Commission, after hearing, finds necessary or desirable in the public interest. Undue disadvan- " (d) Whenever it shall appear from complaint made to the Commis- sion or otherwise that the rates, fares, regulations, or practices of persons engaged in transportation by water to or from a port or ports of any foreign country in competition with common carriers by water or contract carriers by water, cause undue disadvantage to such carriers by reason of such competition, the Commission may relieve such carriers from the provisions of this part to such extent, and for such time, and in such manner as in its judgment may be necessary to avoid or lessen such undue disadvantage, consistently with the public interest and the national transportation policy declared in this Act. Noncompliance " (e) Upon complaint in writing to the Commission by any person, or upon its own initiative without complaint, the Commission may investi- gate whether any water carrier has failed to comply with any provision of this part or with any requirement established pursuant thereto, and if, after notice of and hearing upon any such investigation, the Com- mission finds that any such carrier has failed to comply with any such provision or requirement, it shall issue an appropriate order to compel such carrier to comply therewith. Whenever the Commission is of opinion that any complaint does not state reasonable grounds for action on its part, it may dismiss such complaint. "RATES, FARES, CIARGES, AND PRACTICES; THROUGHI ROUTES Prescribed require- "SE. 305. (a) It shall be the duty of every common carrier by men. water, with respect to transportation subject to this part which it undertakes or holds itself out to perform, or which it is required by or under authority of this part to perform, to provide and furnish Rates, tickets, bills such transportation upon reasonable request therefor, and to estab- olading, etc. lish, observe, and enforce just and reasonable rates, fares, charges, and classifications, and just and reasonable regulations and practices, relating thereto and to the issuance, form, and substance of tickets, receipts, bills of lading, and manifests, the manner and method of presenting, maringng, packing, and delivering property for transpor- tation, the carrying of personal, sample, and excess baggage, the facilities for transportation, and all other matters relating to or con- nected with such transportation in interstate or foreign commerce. Charges. All charges made for any service rendered or to be rendered in the transportation of passengers or property as aforesaid, or in connec- tion therewith, shall be just and reasonable, and every unjust and unreasonable charge for such service or any part thereof is prohib- ited and declared to be unlawful. Through route. (b) It shall be the duty of common carriers by water to establish reasonable through routes with other such carriers and with common carriers by railroad, for the transportation of persons or property, and just and reasonable rates, fares, charges, and classifications appli-

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