The morning news. [volume] (Savannah, Ga.) 1887-1900, 1897-06-29
WANT COTTON RATES CUT.
THE RAILROAD COMMISSION APP
PEALED TO.

Placed the Matter in the Hands of
Commissioner Purse of the Freight
Bureau-A Complaint to Be Filed
in Atlanta To-day-A % Per Cent.
Reduction Asked FOr-Rates the
Same Now as when Cotton Brought
10 TO IL Cents Pound.
Capt D. G. Purse, commissioner of the
Savannah Bureau of Freight and Trans
portation, left for Atlanta last night to
lay before the railroad commits
sion the resolutions adopted by
the directors of the Savannah Cot
ton Exchange, calling for a reduction of at
least . per cent in the rates of freight
now effective on cotton and giving reasons
why such reduction should be made. Capt.
purse will endeavor to secure an early
date for the hearing of the complaint.
The complaint is a very important one
and one in which Savannah is directly
interested. The resolutions are as follows:
Whereas, intra-state freight rates on cot
ton over our railroad systems have not
been changed by the railroad commission
of Georgia since 1899, though in the mean
while, cotton has declined in price, at Sa-
vannah, from 101a cents in 1883 to ~
cents in 1857, and increased in volume in
the same period in Georgia from $50, S94
bales in 1859 to 10000 (estimated) for
1857; from $3.50 bales in the southern
states in 1883, to S,5OO,0OO bales (estimated)
in 1867; and
Whereas, Commissioner Fort, in his dis
senting opinion in the Brewer horizontal
reduction case" intimated that he thought
the time had come for revising the cotton
rates because of 1.-THE increased supply,
reduced price, the improved facilities for
handling and shipping and economy in
methods of transportation" and
Whereas, In all sections leading crops
like cotton, on account of their great vol
ume and economy and light risk in trans
portation and handling, enjoy minimum
per ton per mile rates In being marketed;
and
Whereas, Revenues from all kinds of
business ventures, real estate and other
forms of investments, in last nine years,
have materially lessened and all business
transactions are now done on the closest
margins of profit, therefore, be it
Resolved, BY the board of directors of
the Savannah Cotton Exchange. That, in
their judgment, the time has come for a
reduction In the rates of freight on intra-
state shipments of cotton, and that they
should be reduced at least twenty-five C25)
per cent, to have the railroads bear their
part of the declines that have depressed
every business interest, and that appeal
be made to the railroad commission of the
state to grant the reduction of
twenty-five (25) per cent, effec-
tive at date so that the
producers of cotton may each and every
one participate fully in the benefits of the
reduction prayed for in marketing their
growing crops at maturity; secondly,
Resolved, That a copy of these resolu-
lions be transmitted to the Hon. l.. N.
Trammell, chairman of the railroad COM
mission, with the request that he lay it
before the commission at its meeting on
29th instant and that the appeal be as
signed for an early hearing at the con-
venience of the commission; and,
Resolved, That the Savannah Bureau of
Freight and Transportation, through its
commissioner, be requested to represent
the Savannah Cotton Exchange in all
hearings appointed by the commission for
the purpose of this appeal for a reduction
in intrastate cotton rates.
The directors of the cotton exchange
have had the matter under consideration
for some time. Some time ago Capt. Purse
wrote President DWelle, saying:
IF the cotton exchange desires to take
any action looking to any change in the
intra-state rates on cotton, which have
been in force without change since cotton
commanded u cents per pound, IL is neces-
sary to file complaint at once with the
railroad commission of Georgia, so that
hearing of the complaint made may be
heard early enough to effect the shipment
of the growing crop should any change in
rates be granted by the commission after
a full hearing. l shall be pleased to con-
fer with your board of directors or any
fle-t
pose of considering the ACCESSIBILITY of act
ing in the premises, and, If it should be
determined to take action, then to define
the meets and bounds of such action in
laying complaint before our railroad COM
mission
The subject was discussed at length by
the directors of the cotton exchange
to the advisability of such a step being
taken. Commissioner Purse has taken
hold of the matter with a great deal of
interest and is prepared to substantiate
the claim that intrastate rates on cotton
are too high, in view of the general re-
duction 10 prices which has taken place
since these rates were first announced
The movement for reduced rates on cot
ton within the state is the natural result
of the action OF the Southern and other
railways in hauling cotton out of this
territory last fall to Norfolk and other
ports. carrying II twice the distance for
a less rate than the same cotton could be
hauled TO Savannah under existing rates.
The natural conclusion was that there is
a big margin in present cotton rates for a
considerable reduction. and that
with such reduced rates there
would be less margin for cuts
and rebates by rival railroads, which
would result TO the interest OF Savannah
as the nearest seaport to points in this
territory.
The railroads. Of course. oppose any
such reductions. Shippers who have
been enjoying the rebates and
thus gaining an advantage over
competitors, of course, do not desire to
see the rates cut to a point where 1t will
be no longer possible for the railroads 10
make such reductions and all competitors
placed upon the same basis. The railroads
will doubtless make the claim that the
present rates barely pay the expense OF
transportation.
Capt Purse will have some telling am
munltion In answer to this claim, showing
combinations between railroads TO carry
cotton at much less than the published
rates. lie has prepared a table showing
a comparison Of rates OF the principal ar