The morning news. [volume] (Savannah, Ga.) 1887-1900, 1891-07-14
ATLANTA'S COAL RATES.
OPENING OF THE HEARING BE-
FORE THE COMMISSION.

Patrick Calhoun Picked Up Very
Sharply by Chairman Trammell-
He Alluded to the Attack on the
Railroads as Secret, Insiduous ana
Pohtical-The Hearing Not Finished.
ATLANTA, GA. July l3.-The railroad
commission was kept busy to-day with the
coal rate investigation. Chairman Tram
nell opened the proceedings by making
statement Of the position Of the commission.
| He concluded: 1T is not only necessary for
the protection of the people, 1T becomes
absolutely necessary for the future protec'
ton and the welfare Of the shareholders of
! the railroad that the commission should
pursue this course, when Interstate rates
threaten to imperil TO the extent that the
rates now under discussion do, the manu-
featuring interests of this country. and it
requires no argument from me to show that
while che railroads may increase their reve-
nuss by such policy, for the present, they
will be largely the losers in the future by
Gripping the great and growing manufact-
uring interests of this country, which is de-
pendent more than any one thing else upon
cheap rates on coal 1t is proper that |
should add that upon investigation the
commission find the local rates on coal too
high, and that they should be reduced"
MR.. HAAS ARGUMENT.
Sol Haas was the main witness for the
railroads His general evidence was that
coal was being hauled at a positive loss, the
roads looking for their return incidentally
in the development of manufacturing and
dependent industries, and further that no
city in the United States so far removed as
Atlanta from coal fields had better rates.
The monotony of the discussion was
broken by lively tilt between Patrick Cal
houn and Chairman Tranmeu.
II don't know" Mr.. Calhoun said, who
is responsible for this covered attack, but |
do believe that the purpose is secret, insid-
ious and political | do not believe Mr..
Thomas or Mr.. Brown are responsible
for it, and l attach no blame to tnem for
giving their impressions to the public, but
do know that the farmers and Justice of
these rates have been hid from the people of
this state under the cloak of prejudice and
passion. The great and grave question
which l would have this commission"
THE CHAIRMAN AROUSED.
Fright there, Mr. Calhoun" Chairman
Trammell interrupted. do you propose to
make the insiuuation that the commission
has acted otherwise than justly them"
Not at ALL" Mr.. Calhoun assured the
to let no word escape me that could be con
strued to reflect upon this commission, for |
entertain the very highest respect for every
gentleman upon it, but wish to say that |
was greatly surprised when you read de-
cision before giving us an opportunity to be
heard"
at was not a decision" Chairman Tram
NELL again warmly interrupted, land it so
plainly states it.
Then am very glad to have that in
depreciation put upon it,, Mr.. Calhoun re-
piled.
at doesn't require an Interpretation,
said Mr.. Trammell.
THE COMMISSIONS THREAT.
I'VE were notified" continued Mr.. Cal
houn, ito be here this afternoon at 5
o'clock to consider a reduction OF the
through rates, and are told that If we don't
agree to it the local rates will be lowered
"These are the views of the commission"
the chairman answered.
Joseph Brown made an explanation of
the Savannah agreement, and explained
how the correspondence between Mr.
Thomas and Mr.. Haas arose. He said that
the morning newspaper here had attempted
four times to get an expression from him i'll
regard to the through rate and failed, and
4hat he had only made answer to the ques-
ton as to whether he would raise the local
rate or not. That answer was mo, because
he didn't see how the road could justify
itself before an "alliance legislature This
created some amusement.
Gen. +. P. Alexander of the Central and
f. Fitzgerald of the East Tennessee roads
also testified for the roads on the general
line of Mr.. Haas evidence
The investigation will be continued
Wednesday. The complaint or the oil
dealers set for hearing to-day was post =
poned until tomorrow.