Chap. 260.—An ACT to require the State Corporation Commission to fix and pre-
scribe storage, demurrage, and car service charges which may be collected bw
railroad and other transportation companies on freight transported, or to be
transported by them, and to be paid by them on freight delaved and cars not
promptly furnished or placed by them, with rules and regulations governing
same.
Approved May 16, 1903.

1. Be it enacted by the general assembly of Virginia, That from and
after the passage of this act power is hereby conferred on the State Cor-
poration Commission of the State of Virginia, and it is required to fix
and prescribe a schedule of rates for storage of freight in depots and for
demurrage or car service on freight in car load lots, to be charged by rail-
road and other transportation companies doing business in this State,
and to fix the time after the reception of freight at destination at which
such charges of storage, demurrage, or car service shall begin, with
power to vary the same according to the value and character of the
freight stored, the nature of the place of destination, the residence of
the consignee, and such other facts as, in its Judgment, should be consid-
ered in fixing the same.

2. That the State Corporation Commission shall fix and preseribe a

schedule of detention charges to be paid by railroad and other transporta-
tion companies to the consignee In case of delay in the delivery of freight
in carloads or less at destination, or where » shipments are held an un-
reasonable length of time at the station or siding at which they originate,
or at any intermediate point, and for earrving freights, express pac ‘k-
ages, and all other effects by and beyond the place of final destination
without authority from the consignee; and the commission shall also fix
and preseribe rules and regulations covering the placing of empty cars
and a schedule of detention charges to be paid by railroad companies to
consignors when cars are not placed for loading in accordance with said
rules and regulations after application has been made therefor, when
sald charges shall, when paid, be in full of any and all claims for dam-
ages growing out of such failure: provided, however, that the owner of
the fre Heht may, at his election, waive said charges and elect to claim such
actual damage as he may have sustatned mstead of such charges.

3. This act shall be in force from its passage.