Page:United States Statutes at Large Volume 54 Part 1.djvu/973

 54 STAT.] 76TH CONG. , 3D SESS.-CH. 722-SEPT. 18, 1940 writing of its reasons for such suspension, may from time to time suspend the operation of such schedule and defer the use of such rate, fare, charge, classification, regulation, or practice, but not for a longer period than seven months beyond the time when it would otherwise go into effect; and after hearing, whether completed before or after the rate, fare, charge, classification, regulation, or practice goes into effect, the Commission may make such order with reference thereto, as would be proper in a proceeding instituted after such rate, fare, charge, classification, regulation, or practice had become effective. If the proceeding shall not have been concluded and an order made within the period of suspension, the proposed rate, fare, charge, classification, regulation, or practice shall go into effect at the end of such period: Provided,however, That this subsection shall not apply to any initial schedule filed prior to October 1, 1941, by any such carrier (other than a carrier subject, at the time this part takes effect, to the provisions of the Intercoastal Shipping Act, 1933, as amended, or the Shipping Act, 1916, as amended) insofar as such schedule names rates on traffic, or for services connected therewith, as to which such carrier was in bona fide operation on January 1, 1940. At any hearing involving a change in a rate, fare, charge, or classification, or in a rule, regulation, or practice, the burden of proof shall be upon the carrier to show that the proposed changed rate, fare, charge, classification, rule, regulation, or practice is just and reasonable. "(h) Whenever, after hearing, upon complaint or its own initiative, the Commission finds that any minimum rate or charge of any con- tract carrier by water, or any rule, regulation, or practice of any such carrier affecting such minimum rate or charge, or the value of the service thereunder, contravenes the national transportation policy declared in this Act, or is in contravention of any provision of this part, the Commission may prescribe such just and reasonable mini- mum rate or charge, or such rule, regulation, or practice as in its judgment may be necessary or desirable in the public interest and to promote such policy and will not be in contravention of any pro- vision of this part. Such minimum rate or charge, or such rule, regulation, or practice, so prescribed by the Commission, shall give no advantage or preference to any such carrier in competition with any common carrier by water subject to this part, which the Com- mission may find to be undue or inconsistent with the public interest and the national transportation policy declared in this Act, and the Commission shall give due consideration to the cost of the services rendered by such carriers, and to the effect of such minimum rate or charge, or such rule, regulation, or practice, upon the movement of traffic by such carriers. All complaints shall state fully the facts complained of and the reasons for such complaint and shall be made under oath. "(i) Whenever there shall be filed with the Commission by any such contract carrier any schedule (except a schedule referred to in section 322) stating a charge for a new service or a reduced charge, directly or by means of any rule, regulation, or practice, for transportation in interstate or foreign commerce, the Commission may upon complaint of interested parties or upon its own initiative at once and, if it so orders, without answer or other formal pleading by the interested party, but upon reasonable notice, enter upon a hearing concerning the lawfulness of such charge, or such rule, regulation, or practice, and pending such hearing and the decision thereon the Commission, by filing with such schedule and delivering to the carrier affected thereby a statement in writing of its reasons for such suspension, may from time to time suspend the operation of such schedule and defer the use of such charge, or such rule, regulation, or practice, but not 939 Suspension period. Proviso. Exceptions. 47 Stat. 1425 . 46 U. S. C.§I 843- 848; Supp. V, if 844- 848. 39 Stat. 728. 46U.S.C., ch.23; Supp. V, ch. 23 . Burden of proof. Revision of mini- mum rates. Undue preference. Complaints. Modification of schedules. Post, p.961. Hearing. Temporary suspen sion.

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