The morning news., 1889-04-11
HALF CARS FOR NEGROES
THE GEORGIA ROAD DENIES THAT
THERE IS DISCRIMINATION.

A Witness Testiflss that the Roads
Accommodations Are Ample for
Both Races-The Use of Compart-
mont Cars a Matter of Economy
Claims of the Complainant's Counsel.
WASHINGTON, April 10.-The interstate
commerce commission to-day heard the
case OF William Fl. Heard VS.. the Georgia
Railroad Company. The petitioner COM
plains that in travelling over the defend
ants road from Augusta to Atlanta. he was
compelled to accept second-class accomoda-
lions, IN that he was obliged TO occupy a
compartment car, although he had pur-
CEASED ticket allowing him hrst-class ac-
comodations. The complainant In his petit
tion prays that whole cars be furnished for
the use of colered people on the defendants
road, the same as are furnished to whita
people, or that the smokers car be located
in some portion of the train other tina in
the compartment car, which colored avel-
ers are required to occupy.
DISPOSITIONS READ.
Dispositions concerning the condition of the
Accommodations ON the road were read by the
attorneys on both sides. j. W. Cromwell.
counsel for the complainant, thea began
his argument. He did not desire to argue
the case atlength, he said inasmucn as the
facts In the case were practically the same
as those in the previous complaint againt
the defendent, and at which time, the com
mission issued an order requiring the COM
pany to cease and desist from subiecting the
colored passengers to unreasonable preIu-
dice aud disadvantage regarding accommo-
dations.
VIOLATION ALLEGED,
The counsel, no wever, desired to saw that
the sixteenth section of the interstate COM
merce act had not been understood or had
been di5regarded by the company This
section provides that whenever any com
mon carrier subject to the provisions Of the
act shall violate or refuse, or neglect to
obey or perform any requirement of the in
terstate commission, it shall be lawful for
the commission or for any company or per
son interested In such order or requirement.
to apply by petition to the circuit court al
leging such violation and disobedience; and
the court shall have power to hear and do
termine the matter, etc.
AMPLE ACCOMMODATIONS
Before proceeding to answer the argu-
ment, j. B. Cumming, counsel for the rail-
road company, called as a witness w. NJ
Martin, who testified to ample accommoda-
tions on the Georgia road for the white
and colored passengers, except between
Augusta and local po mt on the line.
where the cars were frequently crowded,
but whore the white and colored passengers
Jared alike. Mr. Cumming then took up in
detail the charges made by the complainant,
and denied that there was any attempt at
discrimination.
QUESTION OF ECONOMY.
The use of compartment cars on which
the complainant was obliged to ride was a
question OF economy with the company.
Half car is sufficient for the amount Of
travel. The looks Of the company showed
that the amount of space furnished for col
ored people was in excess of that furnished
for white people 1t was not race ques-
tion, and the Q was no indignity or slight
to the colored people in Furnishing them
with half cars After further argument.
the commission took the case under advise
ment.