The morning news. [volume] (Savannah, Ga.) 1887-1900, 1894-10-25
MAY SIT IN SAVANNAH.
a Complaint Brought Before the Inter-
state Commerce Commission.

Capt. D. g. Purses Letter to the Chair
man of the Commission Setting Forth
Determinations Against Savannah
Brings Back a Favorable RepIy-The
Secretary of the Commission Thinks
the Commission VIII Consent to Come
Here and Hear the Complaints.
1t is probable that the interstate com
merce commission will hold a session in
Savannah within the near future for the
purpose of hearing arguments on both
sides Of complaints made by Savannah
against unjust determinations on the part
of the railroads.
Most of the Determinations against this
port are of such a character that they can
be adjusted only by the interstate com
merce commission. Capt. Purse wrote to
the chairman of the commission at Wash
ington asking if a session of the board
could not be held here to take up these
matters. and stating what the complaints
were. The correspondence is as follows
Savannah, Ga, Oct. 20, 1S94.-Hon. Will
fam r. Morrison, Chairman Interstate
Commerce Commission, Washington, D.
C.-Dear Sir: Smarting under the loss of
q large inland commerce, naturally and
legitimately tributary to this port, the re-
suit of most unrighteous and Ubiquitous
railroad Determinations, and three and
half millions of money just being most
wisely and advantageously expended upon
this harbor by the federal government
for lesSening ocean freights by permitting
the entrance of the largest ships and
steamers to compete for the transporta-
ton of the outward-bound commerce Of
Savannah seeming to avail naught against
the destructive tendency of railroad dis
ordinations, the people of Savannah are
now, as last resort, before invoking the
protection of the interstate commerce
commission, organizing a bureau of
freight and transportation to deal with
these determinations and formulate them
into specific indictments for submission
to your honorable body. AS a sample 1
can cite you to the fact that a ton of
fertilizers shipped from Charleston over
the Charleston and Savannah railroad
11b miles long, into territory like
Quitman, Ca, lis miles nearer Savannah
in a direct line than Charleston is
charged the same as if the ton of fer
tilizers had been shipped from Savannah
But when Savannah attempts to ship
through Charleston over the Charleston
and Savannah railway to Winston 115
miles nearer Charleston, it costs soc per
ton more. In other words, in shipping
into Savannah's territory this lis miles is
sunk, but when Savannah seeks to ship
is charged for at its full proportion
Instances like the foregoing could be
multiplied ad inhnitum.
Our Georgia railroad commission is I'M
able, because of its limited Jurisdiction.
to abate these interstate Determinations,
and we are therefore compelled to appeal
to your more extended and less circum-
scribed jurisdiction for our relief.
Our bureau Of freight and transporta-
tlon is being modelled after those of Gin
cinnat, o., Louisville, KY, New Orleans
La, ct al, embracing all the best feat
ures of each, and to be amply supported
Tor effective work, by fund subscribed
by the people of this community, and in
terested parties without. 1t will be in
operation by Nov. proximo.
The determinations against Savannah
are so vast and varied and would re-
quire the attendance of so many wit
nesses, at heavy expense to them, if the
complaints are called for hearing at
Washington, that 1 am constrained on
behalf of the people of Savannah. to ask
II, as in the case of Cincinnati, YOU could
not hold session of your commission
here as l believe is provided for in the
statutes creating your commission?
For six months these complaints of dis
ordinations have been made a matter
Of most profound study and investigation,
and the proportions developed of these
determinations are what has led to the
~ 6oAlAAe1Alph VI d bureau OF IEelRnI and
transportation, and our complaints, there
Tore, are practically in shape now for pre-
sentation to your commission.
To protect the city from further loss by
reason of these determinations, it is desi-
rable, If agreeable to hear complaints here
where the railroads headquarters are and
where the compliments reside, that the
earliest day possible be set for the meet
ing as may be permitted by other and
more pressing claims upon the attention
and time Of your honorable body.
But if the complaints must be heard in
Washington, we are equally anxious, not
withstanding the great Inconvenience and
heavy expense to which we will be sub
jected, to still have the earliest day posi-
Bile named for the presentation of our
grievances.
In conclusion, on behalf of the people
of Savannah. may 1 ask, without seeming
too persistent, that this matter so vital
to their prosperity, may engage the cour-
tesy of your earliest possible attention
as chairman, and that of the honorable
interstate commerce commission as a
body. With great respect,
Very truly yours,