Public Law 75–776

That so much of

Interstate Commerce Act, amendment.

Reduced transportation charges in cases of disaster, etc.

24 Stat. 387.

49 U. S. C. § 22.

paragraph (1) of section 22 of the Interstate Commerce Act, as amended, as reads as follows: “Nothing in this part shall prevent any carrier or carriers subject to this part from giving reduced rates for the transportation of property to or from any section of the country with the object of providing relief in case of earthquake, flood, fire, famine, drough ¹¹ So in original. epidemic, pestilence, or other calamitous visitation or disaster, if such reduced rates have first been authorized by order of the Commission (with or without a hearing); but in any such order the Commission shall define such section and shall specify the period during which such reduced rates are to remain in effect.” is amended to read as follows: “Nothing in this part shall prevent

Provisions governing reduction.

any carrier or carriers subject to this part from giving reduced rates for the transportation of property to or from any section of the country with the object of providing relief in case of earthquake, flood, fire, famine, drought, epidemic, pestilence, or other calamitous visitation or disaster, if such reduced rates have first been authorized by order of the Commission (with or without a hearing); but in any such order the Commission shall (1) define such section, (2) specify the period during which such reduced rates are to remain in effect, and (3) clearly define the class or classes of persons entitled to such reduced rates: Provided, That any such order may define the class

Proviso.

Order may specify classes benefited.

or classes entitled to such reduced rates as being persons designated as being in distress and in need of relief by agents of the United States or any State authorized to assist in relieving the distress caused by any such calamitous visitation or disaster. No carrier subject to the provisions of this part shall be deemed to have violated the provisions of such part with respect to undue or unreasonable preference or unjust discrimination by reason of the fact that such carrier extends such reduced rates only to the class or classes of persons defined in the order of the Commission authorizing such reduced rates.”