[Federal Register Volume 61, Number 159 (Thursday, August 15, 1996)]
[Notices]
[Page 42424]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 96-20808]


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FEDERAL MARITIME COMMISSION

Fact Finding Investigation No. 22 Possible Rate Malpractices in 
Specified United States-Foreign Trades; Amendment to Order of 
Investigation

    On August 8, 1994, the Commission instituted this nonadjudicatory 
investigation into the practices of common carriers and other persons 
with respect to untariffed transportation activity and the possible 
payment of rebates and any other devices or means of providing, or 
allowing persons to obtain, transportation at less or different 
compensation than the rates and charges shown in applicable tariffs or 
service contracts. The Commission's Order of Investigation specified 
that the scope of the fact finding would be limited to trades between 
the United States and Europe, the Far East, South America, Central 
America, and the Caribbean. Investigative Officers named in the Order 
were Wm. Jarrel Smith, Jr., the former Director of the Commission's 
Bureau of Hearing Counsel, Vern W. Hill, the former Deputy Director of 
that Bureau, and three attorneys then assigned to the Bureau of Hearing 
Counsel.
    Since the commencement of this proceeding, Mr. Smith has retired 
and the Bureau of Hearing Counsel has been merged with the Bureau of 
Investigations to form the Bureau of Enforcement. Mr. Hill is now the 
Director of the Bureau of Enforcement and the other Investigative 
Officers named in the Commission's Order of Investigation are attorneys 
assigned to that Bureau. In view of Mr. Smith's departure, and the 
reorganization of the Commission's enforcement personnel, the 
Commission is amending its Order of Investigation to name the current 
Director and attorneys assigned to the Bureau of Enforcement as 
Investigative Officers.
    The Commission also has decided to remove the geographic limits on 
this investigation to permit inquiry into malpractices in any U.S. 
foreign trade. Recent reductions in the Commission's enforcement 
personnel, coupled with indications that malpractices are increasing in 
many trades, require increased efficiency in our investigatory and 
enforcement functions. The compulsory process and other powers made 
available to Investigative Officers in this fact finding proceeding 
should assist in achieving that goal.
    Therefore, it is ordered, That pursuant to sections 8, 10, 11 and 
12 of the Shipping Act of 1984, 46 U.S.C. app. 1707, 1709, 1710, and 
1711, and part 502, Subpart R of Title 46 of the Code of Federal 
Regulations, 46 CFR 502.281, et seq., the Commission's Order of 
Investigation served August 8, 1994 in this nonadjudicatory 
investigation is hereby amended as follows:

    1. In the first ordering paragraph, delete the words, ``in the 
trades between United States ports and point and ports and points in 
Europe, the Far East, South America, Central America or the 
Caribbean'' and insert, in lieu thereof, the words, ``in U.S. 
foreign trades.''
    2. In the second ordering paragraph, delete the first sentence 
and insert, in lieu thereof, ``That the Investigative Officers shall 
be Vern W. Hill, Charles L. Haslup, III, Paul J. Kaller, Peter J. 
King, Joseph B. Slunt, and Martha C. Smith of the Commission.''

    It is further ordered, That notice of this Order be published in 
the Federal Register.

    By the Commission.
Joseph C. Polking,
Secretary.
[FR Doc. 96-20808 Filed 8-14-96; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 6730-01-M