Savannah morning news. [volume] (Savannah) 1868-1887, 1884-03-03
HIGH AND LOW RATES.
Mr.. Haynes Argument before the Rail
road Commission Last week.-Mrs.

aIr. Haynes Argument before the RAN
road Commission Last week.-Mrs.
Views of transportation.
In an interview yesterday with ;. u.
Haynes, Esq, the representative oil
Of the Savannah Board of Trade
before the Railroad Commission last
week in discussing the petition OF
the Central Railroad to restore the
rates in existence prior to 1882
on classes c. d and f. covering -four,
grain. hay and meal, Mr.. Haynes stated
to a MORNING NEWS reporter that at the
time the reduction was made BIZ the
commission it was great benefit TO
this section and territory tributary
to Savannah. In his argument be-
fore the commission he stated that
business had adjusted itself to the present
rates, and that TO make a change now
would create a serious disturbance. He
admitted that the present rates were low
enough. but as low as they are they had
been met BY other cities competing for
Savannah's trade in Southwest Georgia
and Florida. and he asked if Ourrates were
NtUDlEU AUull We lU44 TIT DAAoAhNoof anu
with the same rates to other competing
points. particularly New Orleans. He
stated that some seVen-eighthS OF the busl-
ness Of Savannah is transacted in South
west Georgia and Florida. The question
was asked of the Central authOri-
ties if Savannah was not the most
important patron that the company had,
and if we lost patronage in the section to
which goods We're sent, would not the
eli FThaE~ hq1
taken the view that they would be losers
in the end. In other words, he said our
increase in business is given to the Cen
tral Railroad. which received the dement,
of One-third of the freight hauled on the
ground of the low rates in operation on
two Savannah roads. The savannah,
Florida and Western Railway shares
q prosperous business, which has
apparently been doubled if not trebled IN
the past few wears. and with this increase.
the result Of low rates, he asked: lis not
this road fully compensated for the reduc-
tiOu made by the commission in 1oo2:'
As to the Central Railroad, the people
along that line have also been benefited
bv low rates. but they are apparently
poorer than ever, and neither high nor
low rates affect their condition. If
the low rates do not, high rates will
not and this was "a problem for the Cen
trail Railroad management to solve.
The business Of railroads is like that Of
merchants done on small margins. An
income must be made by economy and
development of the country and wealth
along the lines of road. Mr.. Haynes
laid particular stress on the fact that the
naval stores and lumber trades prohted
by low rates. The amount Of capital IN
vested in these Industries in Savannah is
about 81. 600 600. The lumber and naval
stores trade is at a low point, and it is i'm
possible to yet a new dollar for one invest
ed. He added that at this time to advance
rates would be a hardship. At the con-
clusi0n of Mr.. Haynes argument Maj.
Wallace remarked that he saw good rea-
sons why the existing rates should not be
disturbed. The Central authorities yielded
so much of the ground that they finally
asked for an increase on the first 30 or 100
miles, but this was not granted. Mr..
HAYNES said he stood alone in his position.
Macon, although disposed at first to OPP
pose the advance, afterwards through in
f1uence brought to bear on the delegates
by the railroad authorities. were forced to
withdraw their paper, which contained
strong reasons in support Of his position.
Atlanta stated that it was a problem it
could not solve and had no suggestions to
make. Augusta did not show up at all, 1t
being said that its large interests in the
stock Of the company eXerted on influence
which required a nOn-attendance.