The news & observer. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1894-current, 1898-03-01
REDUCTION OF RAILROAD RATES.


dered to the Southern Railway:
For ten years the people struggled
against Indifference and corruption be-
fore they succeeded in establishing a
Railroad Commission. The history of
the fight that was NOT won until 1871
lis well known. AT one SESSION CT the Leg
lislature certain railroad lobbyists, hostile
ito the establishment OF a Commission,
prevented the passage of the bill, which
nassed one house and failed in the other
by the lack Of few men.
Why was the demand fist made for
the creation of II Railroad Commission?
| Because there was demand for lower
| freight and passenger rates. When the
| Commission was first organized il adj
dressed itself To needed reforms and as
sisted i'm the fight already inaugurated TO
put all railroad property on the tax
books, and made some reductions and adj
mStments in rates. But, though on
some OF the railroads business has dou.
hEea since tho creation of the Commits
>}on, aud the price of agricultural pro
ducts has been cut almost half in two,
there has heen no further reduction in
rates since the hrSt slight reduction by
the Commission Farm values have gone
down aud down, Investments in most
properties have laid less and the price
OF nearly everything has fallen, But
railroad and Insurance rates, and taxes
remain on the same basis with five cent
cotton as when cotton brought ten cents
An examination of the reports of the
railroads. as published in tbe New York
financial journals, shows that their net
earnings have increased all the time
They have increased their holdings, and
the salaries Of their chiefs officials an
- large as To show that they are earn
ing much money. At the recent session
OF the Railroad Commission, by vote
of > 10 l. the passenger rates on the
through lines of the three great systems
running through the State was reduced
to pa cents for first class and cents
for second class fare No reduction was
made on the weaker roads, or on any
branch lines. The reduction is confined
TO such lines as ought long ago of theil
own accord to have reduced rates.
last year the Railroad Commission or
dered a reduction of one quarter of
cent on the through lines, but when the
railroads made it known that they want.
I'll no reduction, their wishes were COM
piled with and the rate remained un-
changed. And now that the new Rail- |
road Commissioners have brayely per
formed their duty and ordered a reduc |
ton, the same influences are being |
brought TO bear on them 10 back down |
and let the people on five cent cotton pay |
the same rates as when cotton sold for |
Ten cents.
In order to induce this back down the |
Governor, who short time ago was in
lignant at the old commissioners because |
hey would not reduce rates,is now using |
Ill his powers to induce the new COM
nissioners to reverse their order and let |
why? With his usual adroitness. Vice
President Andrews, the political mani
1ulator of the Southern Railway,
las made the Governor his ally |
n his opposition to a reduction of rates.
Vice President Andrews managed
% get the Governors cooperation
~ agreeing to lease the Atlantic and
North Carolina Railroad for $4,000,
-ear. provided the Governor would do
hree things:
/. Prevent any reduction of railroad
ates
.. Stop all proceedings TO annul the
70 year lease.
3. Stop the suits begun for violations
If the law.
Viee-President Andrews agrees for
his road to pay rental of $4,000 for
he Atlantic and North Carolina Rail-
'oad Ito be leased without waiting for
legislative action and without inviting
to pay all the expenses in
.urred in the lease suit.
A more disgraceful deal and dick
II" we have not known. The Governors
Willingness to enter into such a trade
ooks like he has surrendered, bag and
baggage, to the Southern Railways
If he was honest in his
IcSire 10 annul thp lease what can la