Savannah morning news. [volume] (Savannah) 1868-1887, 1881-08-30

The Savannah, Florida ard west
ern Appear and Ask an Increase
of Rates.

The Savannah, Florida aud Western Rail-
way was again before the Railroad Commits.
sion yesterday asking for an increase of
rates. The road was represented by Col.
Halnes and Messrs. Taylor and Hardie,
with Captain Kingsbury, the attorney, while
Mr.. John TrIplett and DIR. stegall. OF
Thomasvllle, and Mr.. Rountree, of Quit
man, appeared for the people.
Senators Denmark, Westbrook, King aud
Harrell, aud Representatives Hammond,
Spence, Harold, Arlington, Sapp and Sweat
were also present, and participated In the
general discussion that was INDUCED In.
The proceedings were begun by Colonel
Haines, who read paper showing that the
increase In cost OF ties, fuel, wages, and
everything connected with the running of
railroads, had been greatly increased within
the past year, but that the roads rates had
been decreased. While the volume of bust
ness was much greater now than year ago,
and thus larger gross revenue was shown,
the roads expenses were much more
proportionately.
Colonel Hammond thought the people of
Townsville were willing to let the road
charge fifty five cents per hundred on cot
ton to Savannah, and had heard some ex
press a willingness to allow the road an adj
vance of fifty per cent. on STANDARD" rates
on other things.
Mr.. Spence thought that cotton rates
were high enough now. His constituents
wanted the Commissioners to fix rates and
not the railroads. They wanted the Com
mission.
Senator Denmark knew his entire con-
stituency favored the Commission, and
would stand by its decision, but thought II
increased rates were needed to build up
road they ought to be granted.
Representative Harrell thought Balm
bridge would favor an increase of rates IL
Colonel Haines said 1t was necessary, and
that they favored the Commission.
Colonel Barnett said the Commission was
anxious to hear the views Of the people
along the Savannah, Florida and Western
Railroad, and supposed their representatives
could do so, and he wished to hear from all
present.
Representative Sapp, Mr.. Triplett and DR..
StegaI, of Thomasville, wanted the North
eIn travel to come to their place. Their
people were willing to give the road in
creased rates, If the road demanded 1t, to
improve the road bed and pay dividends.
That everybody would sustain the Commits
sion, and had always been 10 favor OF its
continuance.
Mr.. Rouutree, of Quitmau, said his peo-
pie strongly favored the Commission, and
wanted them to give the road high rates to
improve It and pay dividends to its owners.
Mr.. Spence thought cotton should not
pay all the increase.
Colonel Haines said he did not care upon
what the increase fell If he could get the
total revenue he desired.
Representative Sweat said his section
paid very little OF the revenue of the road,
and would indorse any action Of the Com
mission in increasing rates If Colonel Haines
thought 1t was right.
Mr.. Harrell agreed with the others, that
the Commission would be sustained in any
action It took, and If the road needed an in
crease he supposed the. Commission would
grant what was right.
The Commission heard the various gen.
tlemen with the greatest attention, but have
not yet made public their decision.-AAd'ta
Constitution.