The news & observer. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1894-current, 1898-01-28
IGNORANCE OF SOUTHERN
THE OFFICIALS KNEW NOTHING
ABOUT THEIR ROAD.
THEY PROMISE TO POST THEMSELVES
The Answers Made by the SeabOard Air Liae
and the Atlantic Coast Line Were Full
and Complete MANY Of
ficiaIs Present.
fciaIs Present.

fcIalS PRESENT.
1t is generally believed that the Rail
road Commissioners will reduce passen-
ger rates on certain roads in the State.
Just what the reduction will lie and on
what roads is not known, and will not
be till the Commission reviews the facts
and arguments laid before it yesterday
by the officials of the Southern Railway,
the Seaboard Air Line and the Atlantic
Coast Line-the three principal systems
in the State.
These gentlemen appeared before the
Commission in response to a rule served
rates on their lines should not be re-
duced.
The Commission met at 10 o'clock but
as the number of those summoned to APP
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 yice-president
Southern Railway.
Mr.. w. A. Turk. general passenger
agent Southern Railway.
Fairfax Harrison. assistant general
counsel Southern Railway.
Col. w. A. Henderson, general counsel
Southern Railway.
Mr.. Il. III. Busbee. local counsel South
Prn Railway.
Mr.. f. st. John. vice-president and
general manager 5Seaboard Air Line
Mr.. V. e. McBee. superintendent Sea-
board Air Line.
Judge L. r. Watts, general counsel
Seaboard Air Line
Mr.. II. w. b. Glover, traffic manager
SeabOard Air Line.
Mr.. Warren c. 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-
well 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 cerc-
monies was usually given the Southern,
he would now prefer little variety in
the program. He hoped that somebody
else would be given the honor of opening
the engagement. The Seaboard Air
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"
"The Commission appreciates the timi-
dity of the Southern" said Chairman
Caldwell. but ii wishes to compliment
the Southern by assigning it the place of
honor. In addition to this, to-day is the
date and this the hour on which the
Southern is summoned to appear and
make answer. We shall be glad to
anything to say"
Col Henderson then announced that
the first. second and third ce-president
Col. A b. Andrews and Mr.. w. w.
Finley and G. IS. Gannon--were present
and ready to furnish any information
that might be desired.
ThereupOn Mr.. Fairfax Harrison, s0li-
citor for the Southern Railway, read n
statement signed by President Samuel
Spencer. This was a voluminous docu-
ment containing history of the South
ern Railway Company, its condition Mt
present, it's plans for the future and the
effect a reduction of rates would have
on them. The document treated very
eXhaustivply of the rate question in gen
eral touching the whole system, but not
a word about the particular divisions in
North Carolina. concerning which the
Commission desired specific information.
Nor did the second vice-preSident of the
system, Mr.. w. W. Finley, who then
took the stand know any more. or even
ms 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 Carolina
Railroads."
Il am unable to answer that question.
'What are the gross receipts of thel
North Carolina Railroad?
Il have not the information on. which
l could base reply to that question.
''What is the per cent of expenses tol
earnings on the North Carolina Rail-
road?"
''Reing on oath I can't say"
Can You tell the assessed tax valuationl
per mile Of that road?"
81 can't
What rival lines have you in North
Carolina p
"Our PRINCIPAL competitor is the Sea-
board Air Line, though there is somel