The morning news. [volume] (Savannah, Ga.) 1887-1900, 1893-10-29
FACIAL BLEMISNES.

shown that the commission not only did
not and could not prevent the discumina-
tiOns complained of, but actually sane
toned them. See Rule 6, put into force
March l, 1850, and amended to death in
April, 1880.
In its third semi-annual report, made
May 1. 1881, the commissioners say in re-
gard to Rule 8: This rule has given, per-
haps, more discomfort to the railroad au-
thorities, and more satisfaction TO
the public, than any other rule
or regulation adopted by the
commission. Even the termini af-
fected have to a large extent, however,
admitted the reasonableness and pro-
priety of the rule. 1t has done all that is
within our power to equailzo ana dlstrlo-
ute burdens and benefits within the state.
Were its application general, it would
largely remove the coils of unjust dis
ordinations affecting the public interest,
and act as fly wheel, giving quietness
and reliability to rates, and steadying all
railroad operations"
What a pity the Georgia commission
then and there could not have obliterated
state lines, and taken charge of all inter
state commerce.
The commissioners go on and say, as to
Rule 6, 1.-The notifications we are com
PEELED to make arose from the fact that
the legislature of Georgia could only con-
troll the railroads within her own bor-
ders. OF course it could not interfere with
business without her limits, though need
ing like control
After this surrender of Jurisdiction over
interstate commerce, and this fearful
acknowledgment that 1t had done all
that was within its power to equalize
burdens and benefits within the state and
after abandoning its efforts under Rule
to prevent what had been called unjust
DETERMINATIONS, is IL surprising that the
commissioners should have turned their
attention to the reduction of rates as the
only thing left them2
Let me repeat, l am not impeaching the
character or integrity of the present or
any former commissioners. l am simply
endeavoring to show that as the commits
sion could not prevent unjust discrimina-
tion as the public understood it in 1879,
it had nothing left to do but to reduce
rates, and that the rates made by the
commission in 1880 were pitched on too
low scale. All subsequent commission
ers have inherited the atmosphere of the
commission chamber, and have
yielded to their environment.
Roads have become insolvent,
individuals have suffered. and if single,
solitary, living man freight payer can
tell how much he has been benefited or
whether he has been benefited at all or
not. / would like to see him.
A is man living in Georgia town,
and he has saved d few invisible cents in
the price of his bread and raiment in the
reduced rates enforced by the commits
sion. B is his neigh5or and the I'M
HAPPY and unfortunate owner of a few
shares of railroad stock. His stock is
now greatly deprecated or valueless. His
loss has gone in AS stomach or on his
back and A, to save his life, could not tell
when or where or how he.receiVed it, But
B knows that he is bankrupt. Low rates,
too low rates put his road in the hands of
| alreceiver.
have said before and repeat that it
| is time the people of Georgia who use and
| do not own railroads should insist upon
! justice being done to those who own rail
| roads. S. q. MCLENDON.