Yorkville enquirer. [volume] (Yorkville, S.C.) 1855-2006, 1883-01-25
THE RAILROAD COMMISSIONERS.
From the Atlanta Constitution, 18th.

Ex-Governor Jeter and Hon. l.. }. Walker,
railroad commissioners for South Carolina,
are to hold conference with the Georgia
commission for the purpose OF considering the
interest of the railways and the people OF the
two States
We rejoice to hear the rumor and hope it
is true. We also seriously trust that the
present status of the Richmond and Danvllle
towards the people Of Georgia will attract the
serious consideration of these commissioners.
We cannot speak for South Carolina, Out the
complaints coming up continually from the
people of Georgia are grievOus and numerous
especially with regard to passenger and mall
transportation facilities.
These grievOuS complaints have been III
formally brought before the Georgia commls-
sion, time and again, since the withdrawal OF
the passenger train leaving this city in the
early morning. Tie Commission insists they
have no power to make time tables for the
railroads, and hence cannot order such chan
ges in the running of trains as the wants OF
the public demand.
One of the commissioners, however, says
that one thing is very clear to his mind,
namely, that the law requires them to make
s'just and reasonable rates, which means
fair conversation to the road for the service
and benefits rendered the public In this
case the public deny that the Richmond and
Danville Road render any benefits worthy OF
the compensation charged in the carrying OF
passengers. The commissioners, we have al
ways understood, contend that three cents
mile is just and reasonable compensation
for carrying passengers with safety, comfort
and reasonable dispatch, and the rate that
gives the road more income than any other
either above or below that figure. If the fig
ure is placed below three cents, the income
might possibly not compensate fairly for the
work DONE If it is placed above three cents
IL mile, you reduce and circumscrlbe traVel
until the income would fail to pay expenses.
The commissioner before alluded to says
that so far as the Richmond and Danville is
concerned, in view of the statements of mul-
titudes of its patrons, it has become serious
question in his mind whether or not the
public are receiving service and benefits worth
even two cents a mile.
The complaints against the Airline, as
we have said, are important enough to de-
serve the private consideration OF the two
commissions, but apart from any action that
may be taken in regard to this particular mat
ter, both Georgia and South Carolina are to
De congratulated upon the fact that the com
missions have met for consultation.
This meeting is in the direction OF sug-
gestion recently made in the Constitution IN
regard to the regulation of transportation be-
tween the States independently of Congress.
In this view of the case, the meeting between
the two commissions is of vast Importance.
1t is clear that by consultation and the ad-
iustment of rates, the problem of regulating
Interstate transportation as between Geor-
gia and South Carolina can he easily solved.
As a matter of fact, it ceases to be a problem
the moment that States with railroad commits
sions take it in hand. This is what Georgia
and South Carolina are about to DO.
From the Constitution, 18th.
The railroad commissioners of South Carroll
ma reached the city yesterday at 2 O'Clock, the
party consisting OF Ex-Governor Bonham, ex-
Governor Jeter and Capt. l.. J. Walker. They
were met by Major Campbell Wallace and Col.
l.. n. Trammell, and were escorted to the Of
flee of the railroad commission. A considera-
BILE portion of the afternoon was spent Ill con-
sultation, which will be resumed to-day. In
answer to an inquiry one of the commissioners
said to Constitution reporter last night 1--we
are here to consult with the Georgia commits
sion, which is regarded as very able one, ana
to examine into the methods of your commits
sion. Our commission has just been created.
In 1878 South Carolina appointed one commits
sioner, Ex-Governor Bonham, and it is largely
due to his influence and work that The present
commission law was passed. He did not have
near the power that is vested in the Georgia
commission or in the present commission OF
three. The South Carolina Commission laws
are similar to those of Georgia to very con-
siderable extent, and the provisions of the two
are about the same The Georgia Commission
laws, as well as the commission, stand high in
the estimation Of the people of South Caro-
lima, and there is no doubt that the two COM
missions can work together to advantage"
The Constitution of Friday, speaking of the
visit of our Railroad commissioners to Allan
ta, says: "The South Carolina commission
ers made careful examination of the forms
and methods of the Georgia commission, and
expressed the belief that they would be very
materially benefited by the information which
they gathered. During the day they visited
Governor Stephens"
Capt. Legare j. Walker, the railroad COM
missioner from Charleston, said to the re-
porter s'We are satisfied that the two COM
missions will work together with profit to the
people, whom we are endeavOring to serve.
Of course we have not formulated our plans
vet. You remember that it was nearly a year
before the Georgia commission was in work
ing order and had it's rates in operation. we
will have to lay our foundation before we
can build successfully"
In regard to a national railroad commission,
Capt. Walker said 81 have not investigated
the subject sufficiently to be able to give an
opinion that would be of much value. There
is no doubt that the people are taking an in
terest in the formation Of State commissions,
and they are multiplying and bid fair to be-
come permanent factors in the government
of the several States The tendency is to-
ward cooperation between the several State
commissions, and that may effect the desired
result. Our commission has very great power
and has the authority to regulate the rates OF
freight coming into or going out of the State.
That is power which has not been granted
the Georgia commission yet"
Greenville Correspondence Charlotte Journal.
The newly appointed board of railroad COM
missoners of this State are on visit to Allan
ia for consultation with the Georgia commits
soners AS an outcome of this consultation
will be the probable reduction of passenger
fare on the Air Line to three cents mile in
this State and two cents in Georgia, on the
ground that those are ''just and reasonable
rates'' for the service and benefits rendered
the public by this road. insufficient and con-
sequently overloaded trains, slow and al
ways behind time schedule, and an unjust dis
elimination against all the growing towns OH
the line of the road, are ''just and reason
ablen sources of complaint on the part of the
public against the Clyde syndicate.
Correspondence Of the YOrkviIle Enquirer.
NOTES FROM HOODTOWN.
HooDTowN, January Christmas and the
New Year holidays have passed without any
unusual occurrence in our midst.
On Christmas evening there was nice
Christmas tree placed in the Methodist church