The news & observer. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1894-current, 1898-01-21
THE RAILROAD COMMISSION.
Many Things of Importance to be Done
at Next Weeks Meeting.


at Next Weeks Meeting.
The ruling of the Railroad Commission
touching free pasSes-who is entitled to
them and who is motifs awaited with
much interest. The matter will probably
be passed upon at the meeting next
week.
At the last meeting several requests
were made for THE Commissioners com
struetion of the law. These requests
came both from railroads and from those
who have heretofore been beneficiaries
of free transportation. Among the lat
ter class was Treasurer Worth, who wrote
a letter asking whether. as a member of
the finance committee of the North Car
Olina Railroad, he is entitled to a pass
or not The Treasurer has heretofore been
tdting one ON this account, and, it will
be remembered, on one memorable Oc,
casion, lost it. Now he finds it hard to
give up the habit
1t is therefore positive pain to have
to inform the Treasurer that his chances
for pass-taKing in future are not very
bright. When his letter came mp DR..
Abbott, one of the Commissioners, took
plies only to common carriers-those act
ually and actively engaged in maintain
ing and operating a railway. The preSi-
dent and directors of leased lines, there
fore lie held, are not entitled to passes,
and so much less are its committees.
And can they cannot come under the
clause of the law providing for an eX-
change of passes among officials of other
3ant -
leased lines cannot give passes. conee-
quently they are not entitled to receive
them. A free pass given to the presi-
dent or director of a leased road, said
DIR. Abbott, is necessarily Il compliment
tary pass, and they are no more entitled
to complimentary transportation than is
any other citizen of North Carolina.
If this be the correct construction of
the law then Treasurer Worth's future
chances of being able to lose his pass
are mighty small. But then there's no
telling what the Commission may do
when it meets again next Tuesday. There
are certainly several very important
matters to come before it besides the
free pass law.
For instance there's THE investigation
with a view to the reduction of passen-
ger rates. The hearing on this question
is set for Tuesday, Wednesday and
Thursday, though it will probably con-
sumo twice that length of time. if all the
roads on which notice has been served
make answer. On Tuesday the Raleigh
and Castor Railroad. the, Raleigh and
Augusta Railroad, the iSaaboard and
Roanoke Railroad, and the Georgia. Car
DINA and Northern Railroad, from Mon
roe, n. c.. to the South Carolina line.
must show cause before the Commits
sion, why the fares for the transporta-
ton of passengers over said roads
should not be reduced.
On Wednesday the Wilmington and
Weldon Railroad, the Petersburg Rail-
road, the Norfolk and Carolina Railroad.
the Wilson and Fayetteville Railroad,
and Tarboro branch must show cause
why the fares over these roads shall not
be reduced.
TN Thursday the Western North Caro-
lima Railroad, the Atlantic, Tennessee
and Ohio Railroad, the North Carolina
Railroad, the Piedmont Railroad, the
Atlantic and Charlotte Air Line, the
Charlotte, Columbia and Augusta Rail
road, the North Western North Caro-
lima Railroad are summoned TO show
cause why the fares should not be re-
duced.
Then there is the hearing of the con-
tempt eases against Col. Andrews and
his agents for refusal to answer ques-
tons asked them touching the granting
Of free passes and determinations in
freight rates. Everybody is wondering
what will be done and asking the ques-
ton: Will the Commission weaken and
back down? 1t is question that can
only be answered by the action of the
Commission next week.
Another thing awaited with interest is
the investigation Of Gov. Russels free
express. The officers of the Southern
Express Company have been summoned
ITO tell about this.
Then there's Maj. Wilson. His exam
nation may be spicy and interesting tc
spectators. He is cited to appear before
the hoard and give testimony relating to
certain matters about whiih information
is desired