The news & observer. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1894-current, 1898-12-21
RAILROAD COMMISSION.
Many Southern Railway Complaints
and Petitions


The Railroad Commission met at 10
o'clock yesterday and adjourned at noon.
The first case on the docket was
against the Southern Express Company.
In compliance with the order to show
cause why this company should not be
compelled to pay the war tax on inter
State business, Capt. w. j. Croswell,
with his attorney. Mr.. Dubignon, of
Savannah appeared and stated that the
revenue stamp required was paid for by
the shipper in all States in the Union:
that for the express company to pay
for it would require one-third of its prof
its, and that there was even now a case
in the Supreme court of the United
States to test the matter.
Chairman Caldwell said as it concern
ed Interstate business the Commission
was powerless, and he passed on to the
next case.
The county commissioners of Iredell
county complained that the Southern
Railway had not put down proper cross
ings on its Mooresville and Mocksville
branch. The Southern was requested to
investigate the complaint and do what
it could to remedy it.
Merchants at Monroe complained that
the Seaboard was charging more, in
certain casts. for short hauls of cotton
than for long hauls. The clerk was
ordered to notify Traffic Manager Glover
that this was a violation of law and
direct him to put in such Il rate as
would comply with the rules of the
Commission.
New depots were petitioned for by
the citizens of Spencer and Graham,
on the Southern Railway. The COM
plants were filed and action on the pc
titions was postponed.
Another petition for an extra train on
the Yadkin Railroad was allow
ed to go over for further information.
The complaint of the Wilmington Tar
if Association that the Southern was
not promptly handling the fertilizers
delivered to it by the Atlantic Coast
Line was postponed for further infor-
nation.
A petition was read from the Sea-
board Air Line asking permission to be
allowed to discontinue its office at Mill
brook. Wake county. The petition stated
that the business done there was very
small. the station being only three miles
from Neuse. and that the agent had
already resigned. 1t was ordered that
notice of the petition to discontinue be
posted. and il there was no objection
offered the petition would be allowed.
Citizens of Lexington petitioned the
Commission to compel the Southern to
stop its fast train, No. SO, there. The
matter was postponed.
Permission was granted the railroads
to dead-head contributions to orphan
asylumS and other charitable institu-
49, -, Il
roads were allowed to give prea cheers
half rates on their household goods.
Exceptions to the order Of the Com
mission directing the Western Union
Telegraph Company TO establish a down
town office were read, but action on
them was postponed until the next meet
ing. The exceptions denied the Conn
missions authority to make the order;
that it was made upon insufficient evil
dence. and that the change would be
an unlawful appropriation of their
property without authority of law and
in violation of the Constitution of the
United States and of the Constitution of
North Carolina.
The Pullman Palace Car Company.
through its attorney. ]. G. l.. Harris. APP
peared and filed schedule of its rates in
North Carolina for seats and berths.
II do this" said Mr.. Harris, ''as a
matter of courtesy to the Commission,
buhunder protest and denying your juris-
diction. on the ground that We are not
common carriers
The highest and lowest rates quoted
by this company in the State Of North
Carolina, according to the statement
filed, arc as follows:
Pelham To Paint Rock SfationS on
line 572, Jersey City and Nashville. 273
miles, both rates $3.50. seat rate S1.50.
The lowest berth rate is 50 and this is
in effect between the stations shown on
the attached statement. Lowest seat
rate is % cents. and this is the charge
between practically all stations where
the distance is less than % miles
This completed the docket and the
Commission adjourned to meet again
Tuesday, January 10th.