The 1906 Hepburn Act Increased The Power Of The ICC

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The 1906 Hepburn Act changed the relationship between the ICC and the railroads where before the ICC had the burden of proof for any railroad wrongdoing with railroads submitting annual reports to both the ICC and to congress. This did not work very long as soon the ICC was challenged in court and Elkins Act was passed. This helped more properly define the ICC’s power, and soon the Hepburn Act was passed which further increased the power of the ICC over the railroads. Shifting the burden of proof was a major factor in increasing the ICC’s power and relationship with the railroads. Before, the presumption of right was given to the railroads and when the railroads appealed a commission, they went to the ICC. This would tie up the ICC and the

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