The Caucasian. (Clinton, N.C.) 188?-1913, 1896-07-30

draw from the people large net reve-
nue. In order to pay interest upon its
heavy capitalization as to compel it to
forego the policy of extermina tion
which 1t had adopted.
The effort has been persistently
made to hold up the SeabOard Airline
as Wllful disorganiZer in traffic mat
ters IN this territory. This effort is in
Keeping with the course and conduct
OF our adverries. The Seaboard Air
Line has had persistently to fight eff
forts to create physical pools of traffic
to resist boycotts, made against it, tC
contend with all manner of discrimi-
nations which have been endeayored
to be practiced upon it. 1t has sought
to give to the people that reasOna Bile
prompt and economical service which
its superior facilities and lower CAPT
tallZation enable it to offer, and for
this it has met with the antagonism OF
this great mOnoplistIc corporation
The battle which is now waging is one
In which the interest Of the people Is
deeply involved. Whatever Temporary
disturbances of local rates may ensue
the manufacturers of this state are re-
celvlng upon competitive business tC
the east the advantages of these reduc-
lions. But more than that, if the Sea-
board Airline is supported they are
Waglng fight for the people which
will prevent them from being in the
course OF the near future bound hand
and foot and turned over to the South
ern railway to be charged with rates
of freight and passenger tariffs as il
may seem good.
DON'T DISCRIMINATE.
SO far as the intimatiOn conveyed
In your letter that the railroad com
mission will reduce rates within the
state prOportionate to the reduction
made on through rates, such a reduc-
tl0n operating upon all lines of rail
road within the state will meet with
no opposition from the Seaboard Air
Line system. Such reduction at
tempted to be enforced against the
Seaboard Airline system alone, ] am
satisfied this commission, upon a con-
slderatlon of the questi Oh, will not at
tempt-nOt only because it would be a
siding on the part of the commission
with the Southern Railway Company
IN this contest, but because it would be
so manifestly an attempt on the part
1.-THE commission to control interstate
commerce, that l know so well inform
ed body as the railroad commission
or Georgia will not undertake such &C
ton.
I'm conclusion, permit me to say
that there is no interest in this state,
except the interest OF the Southern
railway, which is not deeply concern
ed In the success of the Seaboard Air
Line in this contest. The issue is
whether or not the people of this state
snail have the advantage of that COM
petition which their constitution guar
antees to them, whether or not sin
gle railway system can come into this
state and in defiance of that constitu-
zion throttle competition, create a mo-
hopoiy and prevent any one from
raising his voice to utter a protest
against this violation of fundamental
law.
I'm this contest we appeal to the
railway commission of GEORGIA, which
mas always stood for the rights of the
people, and which, while doing even
handed justice to the railway inter
ests, has prevented any infringement
upon the rights of the people, to lend
up thelr moral support, and not by any
acton OF theirs to throw the weight of
ioo' ihhuehce upon The SIDE Of
our adversary.
Il trust that you will pardon the
length OF this letter, tut the magni-
tude OF the interes is involved, their
great Importance not on2y to ourselves,
out, as respectfully conceive to the
entire people of the state, have rem
dered this full state ment of the situa-
ton of our position in the matter a
duty which l owe no less to the rail-
road commission than to the people.
trusting that flencetorth the rail-
road commission will stand with the
oeaboard Airline. on this matter, |
am, very respectfully,
f. ST. JOHN,
"NIce President and Gen. Man"