Savannah morning news. [volume] (Savannah) 1868-1887, 1885-05-28

Opposing an Increase BEFORE the Rail-
road Commission.

road Commission.
Mr.. Isaac G. Haas, OF the Savannah
| Board Of Trade, returned from Atlanta
yesterday, where he was in attendance
upon the meeting of the Railroad Com
mission. The meeting was held to hear
objections to the petition of the railroad
companies for an increase of freight rates
on corn, -four, wheat and meal. Argu-
ment was heard from the petitioners a
month ago, and the representatives pres
ent on Tuesday did not make any addi-
tiOnal statements.
Mr.. Haas, in opposing the concession Of
an increase stated that it would seriously
affect the trade of Savannah. New Or
leans. Montgomery. Mobile. Jacksonville
and Fernandina are striving for the busi-
ness which naturally belongs to Savan-
nah. This city has all 1t can do to hold
its share of the trade of Lower Georgia
and Florida. He declared the policy OF
the Central and Savannah, Florida and
Western short-sighted and narrow
minded. In referring to the comparative
table OF rates submitted 10 the commits
sion by the petitioners, Mr.. Haas admitted
that the list Of out OF Georgia roads
charged higher rates, but he stated that
he did not believe there was a dividend
paying Southern road in the list. While
they get higher rates they do not pay dlvi-
dends, from which the inference is drawn
that business thrives on low rates, and
the railroads carry more freight and made
more money than on high rates.
Mr.. Haas then read the following:
"The report of the General Manager of
the Georgia Railroad to the lessees shows
the result of the operations for the year
ending March 81, 1885: The freight earn
ipoG aboXN- 80 nor papF daoraasn
ger earnings 81 decrease, earnings from
all sources 2S5 decrease, expenses 3.l3
decrease, net earnings 2.36 decrease.
Since the year 1881 there has been steady
reduction of rates, eliminating in the
very low rate of 1,62 cents per ton per
mile for the year just closed. This re-
duction, Mai. Green thinks, is largely due
to the action of the Railroad Commission,
and unless a more generous policy is in
augurated it is simply question of time
when net earnings will be entirely dis
sipated'
he added 81 challenge % per cent. of
the merchants of Georgia to make as
gratifying a showing of the years bust
ness as that shows for the Georgia Rail
road. l am talking about the earnings as
compared with last year. | don't think
there are half a dozen merchants IN the
state whose earnings are so near the av-
erage. They tell us they are earning
nothing. II they were earning nothing
they could not pay dividends. Yet the
Central at the January meeting declared
a per cent. dividend" In concluding,
he asked that the injury that would be
done TO the business interests of Savan-
nah by an increase of rates be taken into
consideration.
Col John n. Dunn, of Atlanta, quoted
the rates In some other States in which
the railroads charge from less than 9 mills
in Ohio per ton per mile TO 1917 mills in
Connecticut. New Hampshire pays 16
mills. Massachusetts and PENNSYLVANIA
II mills, Illinois - mills, Iowa 12l5 mills,
Wisconsin 1715 mills and Michigan 90
mills. The Georgia roads charge 3 cents
ton per mile for the same classes of
freight which the Ohio roads voluntarily
carry for 9 OF cent per ton per mile.
Messrs. J. b. Park OF Greensboro, j. w.
Barrett of Dalton, and Mr.. Mobley of So
cial Circle, spoke in opposition to the in
crease. Mr.. Zachery, of Atlanta. offered
the following, signed by the President and
secretary Of the Millers' Association, and
a number of milling firms
WHEREAS. The railroads have extended to
us the reshpping privileges. thereby extend
ing our territory and affordng the relief de-
sired. our interests as manufacturers will not
be injured by small advance in local rates
II IN the sense OF Your honorable body the
revenue Of the railroads of Georgia demands
such increase.
The privilege of reshipment amounted
to this: 100 pounds meat can be shipped
from st. Louis to Atlanta for A. cents.
If the Atlanta merchant cannot sell it at
home, aud can find a purchaser at Savan-
nah, he is allowed 10 reload the meat, for
ward 1t to Savannah, and then get re-
bate of 10 cents, as the through rate from
st. Louis to this city is only b cents. Mr.
Haas does not consider the relief afforded
by the privilege sufficient Offset 10 the
increase asked for, ana does not think it
would be of any great advantage to
Savannah.
The commission held the matter under
Adjustment.