The watchman and southron. [volume] (Sumter, S.C.) 1881-1930, 1896-12-16

L or Two Gays Tue com mlsslOO mas
been considering the arguments and
figures presented at the recent bearing
and :las reached a final determination
of the matter. Yesterday Commission
er Thomas made long speech 10 be-:
half of the Charleston interests. The
State does not publish the speech in
full owing to the fact that nearly every
argument used thereiu bas been given
lis readers in one way or another since
the agitation over the fertilizer rates
began.
Chairman Evans offered the follow
iog resolution as the settlement of the
whole question and i: vas later adopted
after two resolutions offered by Mr.
Thomas, fouEd below were talked on
Mr.. Thomas voted against it:
''Case: Complaint Of Charleston fer
tilizer manufacturers claiming that the
present rate is discriminating against
Charleston and that it gives the ip-
terror mills an advantage over Charles
ton to points 1orth Of Columbia.
after full hearing being given
and arguments made by both complain
ants and defendants on two several oc-
casioas, the board is of the opinion that
the rate is a just aud reasonable as we'll
as legal rete. and does not discrimi-
pate against any place or person in this
State. except at some Of the points on
the Atlantic Coast Line where the rate
is made up of the locals less 20 per
cect. instead of 90 straight mileage
rate, as the com mission Intended. This
difference in the views of the Atlantic
Coast Line management and the com :
mission it is hoped, will soou be re-
moved by the adoption of the mileage
rate by that system
"With the exceptions above men,
tened, We decide that the rates shall
remain as DOW operated y
Mr.. Thomas 10 concluding his argu
meat against the adoption of the above
said:
Il koow that you gentlemen would
like to pass this resolution. It is a
matter Of pride with you, and you have
the power; but is it right; is it Law?
The rate has been tried. and the largest
of the fertilizer interests in this State
claim that it is destructive of their
property, and being the servants Of the
people it is our duty to try at any rate
to give them relief, and not arbitrarily
stick to a rate which you can see is not
satisfactory, for We have had four or
FIVE Charleston committees before US in
year, making always the same CON-
plant, and | think they have proven
that the rate against which they have
made complaint is discrimiuative and
illegal. This is the time to rectify the
rate 10 conformity with the law in the
Pee Dee sectico; SO that if the Atlantic
Coast Lioe considers that it works any
hardships to them they can appeal to
the legislature. 1t is the law to-day; it
is our duty today; and I move that the
rate to-day be changed to conform to
the law
Mr.. Thomas then offered the follow
iog which was adopted, Mr.. Wilborn
voting against it on the ground that the
board had already invited Mr.. Emer.
son Of the Coast Lire to come here
next week and consult with them on
that very subject:
Resolved that the fertilizer rates on
the entire Atlantic Coast Line system
shall be computed on the straight mile
age basis, aud that the traffic man ager
be requested to submit to this board
such tariff for its approval Inc mediate
ly."
The following, offered by MIR.
Thomas, was also adopted. Mr.. Will
born voting against it for the reason
that General Freight Agent Glover had
already assured him that the Sea
board would at once put the rate 10
operations:
"Resolved, That the $3.50 blanket
rate shall apply to all stations on the
Seaboard Air Liue from Charleston and
that the traffic manager of said road be
requested to at once prepare rate sheets
TO that effect to be su5mitted to this
board for approval" "
These two resolutions. it was decided /,
Should be tackled onto the Evans reso-
Lotion, and that all should be given the
public as whole as the action Of the
board on the question of the fertilizer
rates. The State