The farmer and mechanic. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 18??-19??, 1898-02-01
IGNORANCE OF SOUTHERN
THE OFFICIALS KNEW NOTHING
ABOUT THEIR ROAD.
THEY PROMISE TO POST THEMSELVES
The Answers Made by the Seaboard Air Line
and the Atlantic Coast Line Were Full
and Complete MANY OF.
fciais Present.

HCtdiS Present.
It is generally believed that the Rail
road Commissioners will reduce paseen-
ger rates on certain roads in the State.
just what the reduction viii lie and on
what roads is not known, and will not
te till the Commission reviews the facts
and arguments laid before it yesterday
by the officials Of the Southern Railway.
tie Seaboard Air Line ard the Atlantic
Coast Line-the three principal systems
in the State.
These gentlemen appeared before the
Commission in response to a rule served
on them to show cause why p-assengeq.
rates on their ines should not be re-
duccd.
The Commission met at 10 o'clock. but
as the number of those Summoned to ap-
pear was TOO great to be accommodated
in the office of the Commission the meet
ing was held in the State Library.
Among the prominent railroad men
present before the Commission were:
Col. A. b. Andrews, first ~vice-presi-
dent Southern Railway.
Mr.. w. w. Finley. second vice-presi-
dent Southern Railway.
W. w. Gannan, third vice-president
Southern Railway.
Mr.. W. \. Turk. general passenger
agent Southern Railway.
Fairfax Harrison. assistant general
counse Southern Railway.
Col. W. A. Henderson, general counsel
Southern Railway.
Mr.. +. II. Busbee, local counsel South
ern Railway.
Mr.. E.. St. John. vice-president and
general manager Seaboard Air Line.
Mr.. Y. r. McBee, superintendent Sea
board Air Line.
Judge l.. r. Watts, general counsel
Seaboard Air Line.
Mr.. II. W. 3. Glover, traffic manager
Scaboard Air Line.
Mr.. Warren G. Elliott, president At
lantic Coast Line.
Mr.. t. NJ. Emerson, traffic manager
atlantic Coast Line.
+ Capt. w. II. Day, local counsel Sea
board Air Line.
The hearing began by Chairman Cald-
we'll reading the summons served ON the
Southern Railway Company and asking
If they were represented.
Col. Henderson said the Southern Rail
way was represented, but that as the
honor of opening these interesting cere
monies was usually given the Southern
he wculd now prefer a little variety III
the program. He hoped that somebody
else would be given the honor of opening
the engagement. The SeabOard Al
Line and Atlantic Coast Line. he pointed
out, had been summoned to appear ear
lier in the week. This having been post
poned he thought these roads ought now
to be first fed through the MILL
skDv>o T-n - ,o 10. @Jo +,r,i
dity of the Southern" said Chairman
Caldwell. "but it wishes to complimen
the Southern by assigning it the place Of
honor. In addition to this. to-day is til
date and this the hour on which the
Southern is summoned to appear and
make answer. We shall be glad tO
hear from you. gentlemen if you hay
anything to say
Col. Henderson then announced tina
the first, second and third vice-presiden
Col. a. 3. Andrews and Mr.. w. W
Finley and G.. IS. Gannon-were presen
and ready to furnish any information
that might be desired.
Thereupon Mr.. Fairfax Harrison. soil
citor for the Southern Railway, read a
statement signed by President Samuc
Spencer. This was a voluminous docu
ment containing a history Of the South
ern Railway Company. it's condition 4
present. its plans for the future and tn.
effect Il reduction of rates would have
on them. The document treated very
exhaustiyely Of the rate question in gen
eral touching the whole system. but no
a word about the particular divisions il
North Carolina. concerning which tin
! Commission desired specific information
Nor did the second vice-preSident of tn,
! system. Mr.. w. W. Finley. who thel
took the stand know any more, or ev2l
as much as Mr.. Spencer, as the follow
ing questions and answers show:
what is the actual value of the EN-
ployed capital Of the North Caroliu;
Railroad:"
4 am unable to answer that question.
what are the gross receipts of th
North Carolina Railroad:"
Il have not the information on which
/ could base 4 reply to that question
What is the per cent of expenses &
earnings on the North Carolina Raj
rOad?"
Being on oath I can't say"
"Can You tell the assessed tax valUatioI
per mile Of that road:'
Il can't"
What rival lines nave you in Mort
Carolina"
Cur principal competitor is the Sen
board Air Line. though there is SOM
competition by the Cape Fear and Yad
kin Valley. and other roads"
Encouraged by this CLEAN of infOrma
ton. Mr.. Pearson. who was conductin
the examination. continued:
Has there not been a constant ii
crease in the gross earnings of the Mort
Carolina Railroad during the past fv
years.
"Now really I couldn't say"
"Can YOU tell us what official Of you
road could answer that question:
II cannot. The policy only of the pas
songer traffic comes under my supcrvi
sion. The details of it are in Mr.. Turk
charge
Have the net earnings been increase