THE RISE OF STATE CONTROL 19

VI. — To award damages either in addition to, or in sub-
stitution for, other relief, subject to certain restrictions.
VII. — Upon applications for through rates, to substitute for
the rate proposed any rate they deem just and reasonable.^

It ordered a complete and compulsory revision, by all Rail-
way and Canal Companies, of their maximum rates, subject to
approval of the Board of Trade and of Parliament. It also
gave formal sanction to terminal charges, but restricted them
within maximum limits. It made the law regarding the pub-
lication of rates and of "undue preference" more stringent,
and extended the rights of the traders in the matter of through
rates. And finally it empowered the Board of Trade under
certain circumstances to act as mediators between aggrieved
traders and the Companies, to obviate, if possible, the need
of going before the Railway Commission or an ordinary Court
of Law.
By way of retaliation for reduction in certain maximum rates
made during the revision provided for in the Act of 1888, the
Companies made a wholesale increase in other rates. This led
to an Act in 1894, giving the Railway Commission power, upon
proof of their unreasonableness, to cause a return to the rates
in practice before the increase. But of this we shall have to
speak more fully.
