The act also expressly authorizes the United States Circuit courts to restrain by injunction or other appropriate process any departure from published rates, or any discrimination forbidden by law, without prejudice to the bringing of suits for damages or other action under the Commerce Act. And it further declares that “in proceedings under this act and the acts to regulate commerce, the said courts shall have the power to compel the attendance of witnesses, both upon the part of the carrier and the shipper, who shall be required to answer on all subjects relating directly or indirectly to the matter in controversy, and to compel the production of all books and papers, both of the carrier and the shipper, which relate directly or indirectly to such transaction; the claim that such testimony or evidence may tend to criminate the person giving such evidence shall not excuse such person from testifying or such corporation from producing its books and papers, but _no person shall be prosecuted or subjected to any penalty or forfeiture for or on account of any transaction, matter, or thing concerning which he may testify or produce evidence, documentary or otherwise, in such proceeding_.” This is considered one of the best railroad measures so far enacted. It is said by many that direct rebates have practically ceased since its passage, and some declare that it has stopped all sorts of discriminations. While Mr. Bacon, an important witness from Milwaukee, was speaking to the Senate Committee, 1905, of which Senator Elkins was chairman, the following conversation took place regarding the Elkins Act.[160] “SENATOR ELKINS. The Pennsylvania Railroad has not given a rebate since the act was passed, and they do not want to. It has been a benefit to the railroads, don’t you think so? “MR. BACON. It has benefited the railroads, by millions of dollars. “SENATOR ELKINS. I mean the good railroads. “MR. BACON. It will undoubtedly effect a saving of upwards of a hundred million dollars a year.” Mr. Prouty of the Interstate Commission said to the Boston Economic Club in March, 1905: “The Elkins Bill is one of the most beneficent measures touching railway regulation of recent times. I have no words of commendation too strong for that measure; but this bill, which has very largely stopped the payment of rebates, as such, was a railroad measure, conceived by the railroads, passed by the railroads, and in the interest of the railroads, and no one thing in recent times has put into the treasuries of railways of this country more money than that same enactment.”