The news & observer., 1898-07-30

POSTAL TELEGRAPH TAXATION
When the matter of the valuation OF
the Postal Telegraph Company for tax.
alton came up, Mr.. J. w. Hates was ex-
amined. He asked for time becaus,
general counsel of the system could not
reach Raleigh until Monday Mr.. Kates
protested against the order increasing
the Postal assessment from $4,000, as
IL was last year, to 100000, an
increase of 800 per cent. He said that
telegraph polls cost S33 per mile and wire
SO per mile, and that he constructed the
line himself and knows that $4,000 is
full valuation for the property in this
State.
THE MOLASSES RATE.
AT the last meeting of the Commission
upon the petition of the Wilmington
Tariff Association, the rate on molasses
to all points in North Carolina was re-
duced % per cent. The roads all cxcep.
ted and the general freight agents were
heard. Mr.. Emerson, of the Wilmington
and Weldon. said that Wilmington was
fully protected, and that special low
rate on molasses was given to the South
to help Wilmington, and he declared il
unjust to use this low rate as Il leverage
to reduce the local rates. He contcnded
that the rate ordered would he lowe,
than in Georgia and that nobody would
be helped except Wilmington shippers,
who now have Il monopoly of the busi-
ness in North Carolina. In reply to a
question from DIR. Abbott he said that
the rate granted on the petition of the
Wilmington Tariff Association was un-
reasonably low. Dr. Abbott quoted low
rates between certain points in New
York. but Mr.. Emerson said that condi-
tions were not similar and the rates quo
ted were from competitive points.
Mr.. w. w. Finley and Mr.. Drake
gave figures from the Southern in oppo-
sition to the lower rate. Mr.. Drake
cOntended that Wilmington already had
an advantage over other cities in selling
molasses in the State. and said the mo-
lasses rate is very little above the Geor-
gia rate.
Mr.. w. Fl. r. Glover, of the Seaboard
went very elaborately into the matter
stating among other things that the new
rate was much lower than the Seaboard
was now receiving in South Carolina and
Georgia. AS to the Carolina Central
and Raleigh and Augusta, Mr.. Glover
complained that the reduction would
work a great hardship as these roads did
not now earn enough to pay their ex-
penseS.
Mr.. Geo. Nj. Rose and Mr.. w. f.
Kyle spoke against reduction on the
Cape Fear and Yadkin Valley railroad
Mr.. Rose said that the road was now
in the hands of a receiver, and that its
net earnings in 1S9S-the best year in
its history-had been $95, where
as the interest on its bonded debt was
$1S3,000. > If the rate is reduced on
other roads. Mr. Rose hoped the Com
mission would not put it in force on the
Cape Fear and Yadkin Valley railroad
which is allowed to charge 80 per cent
more than standard roads on other
freight rates. because of its poverty
Mr.. Kyle gave facts and figures against
reduction and said he had heard no
complaints.
AT the recess. without hearing
from Mr. J. A. Taylor Presi-
dent, and Mr. James Kyle. manager of
the Wilmington Tariff Association who
were present to speak, the Commission
decided that the reduction of 25 per
cent. on molasses should stand. This is
notable victory for the Wilmington
Tariff Association.
RATE ON COTTON GOODS.
At its last meeting upon the complaint
of the Wilmington Tariff Association.
the rate on cotton goods was reduced
20 per cent. All the above general
freight agents protested against the re-
duction. Mr. Kyle said his road hauled
cotton goods to oriental dcpots very
cheap in order to advance the North
Carolina cotton mill industry. and that
the cotton mill men were all satisfied.
Mr.. Finley, of the Southern, warned
the Commission that rates on cotton
goods should be approached delicately.
He said the railroads had cultivated the
cotton mill business, and there is no com
plaint from the cotton mill industry, and
he cited as evidence that the North
Carolina roads were taking care of the
cotton mill industry, the Northern mill
men are obliged to come South to com
pete with Southern mills. Mills are be-
ginning to trade with the world. Mr..
Glover, of the Seaboard, said that his
road had given low rates on machinery
for cotton mills and advanced their in
terests in every way possible. and the
mill men are not asking any reduction.
They are satisfied with the present con
uitiplIS. IntN ltti ludl d-lttttlpii
might affect Interstate rates to their
disadvantage. The New England men
ship on third-class rate and the South
on fifth-class rates, and Northern roads
have objected to this. The Seaboard has
sit special ears, in which there is not
visible to haul cotton goods so
that Goods cannot be damaged.
The c. Ssion reversed its order re-
ducing the 7on cotton goods, and
the old rate wli1 remain in force.
BACON IN BAGS.
At present the rate on bacon shipped
in bags is much higher than bacon
shipped in boxes. Upon the petition of
the Wilmington Tariff Association, the
Commission made an order giving bacon
shipped in bags the same rate as in
boxes The roads excepted, but Mr.
Emerson admitted that there was merit
in that claim and his road would not
fight it. Mr.. Glover contended that
bacon shipped in bags was liable to in
jure other freight and ought to pay
more.
The order giving the same rate in bags
as in boxes was affirmed.
EXPRESS OFFICE INLEXINGTON