Chap. 279.—An ACT to authorize the. governor and the attorney-general to
secure the services of associate counsel to assist the attorney-general in
representing the interests of the Commonwealth in certain litigation affect-
ing the classification of freight and the schedules of transportation rates
recently formulated by the State corporation commission, and to provide
compensation for such counsel.

Approved March 15, 1906.

Whereas there is now pending before the State corporation commission
certain litigation wherein is attacked the validity and reasonableness of
the classification of freight and schedules of transportation rates recently
formulated by the State corporation commission ; and

Whereas other litigation of like nature may hereafter be instituted ; and

Whereas the result of such litigation vitally affects the interests of the
people of this Commonwealth; and

Whereas the other official duties of the attorney-general make it im-
possible for him to give the time and attention which the importance of
such litigation demands; therefore,

1. Be it enacted by the general assembly of Virginia, That the gov-
vrnor and the attorney-general be, and are hereby, authorized to retain
and employ associate counsel to assist the attorney-general in represent-
ine the interests of the Commonwealth in the case now pending before
the State corporation commission under the title of Commonwealth of
Virginia, at the relation of the State corporation commission versus
Atlantic coast line railroad company and others; and further assist the
attorney-general in any appeal or appeals which may be taken in said
case and in any other litigation growing out of or in any way affecting
the classification of freight and schedules of transportation rates recently
formulated by said commission, or any changes in or additions to the
~ame hereafter made by said commission.

2. The sum of five thousand dollars is hereby appropriated for the
purposes set forth in the foregoing section; and the said sum, or so much
thereof as the attorney-general and the governor may deem necessary for
the compensation of said associate counsel, shall be paid out of any funds
in the treasury, not otherwise appropriated, upon a warrant or warrants
drawn from time to time and signed by the governor.