Railroads

The Elkins Act of 1903 was the beginning of new and effective railroad legislation. Heavy fines could now be imposed on both the railroads that gave rebates and on the shippers that impsoed them.



Even more effective was the Hepburn Act of 1906, in which bribe-infested free passes were now severely restricted. The Interstate Commerce Comission was expanded, now to include express companies, sleeping-car companies and pipelines. This marked the first time the comission was given real power to nullify existing rates and stipulate naximum rates.