The farmer and mechanic. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 18??-19??, 1898-08-02

the foStdi IeltSFdpn Company for tax
alton came up, Mr.. ]. W. Hates was ex-
aminel. lie asked for time because
general counsel of the system could not
reach Raleigh until Monday. Mr.. Hates
protested against the order increasing
the Postal assessment from $4,000. IS
it was last year. to 100000, an
increase OF 300 per cent. He said that
telegraph polls cost $33 per mile and wire
SD per mile. and that he constructed the
line himself and knows that $4,000 i
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 III North Carolina was re-
duced % per cent. The roads all eXcep-
ted and the general freight agents were
heard. Mr.. Emerson. of the Wilmington
and Weldon. said that Wilmington was
fully protected. and that a special low
rate on molasses was given to the South
to help Wilmington. and he declared it
unjust to use this low rate as a leverage
to reduce the local rates. He contendt1
that the rate ordered would lie lowe,
than in Georgia and that nobody would
be helped except Wilmington shippers.
who now nave 4 monopoly of the bust
ness in North Carolina. In reply to a
question from DR.. Abbott he said thar
the rate granted on the petition Of the
Wilmington Tariff Association was UNI
reasonably low. DIR. Abbott quoted low
rates between certain points in New
York, but Mr.. Emerson said that condi-
tons 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 oDpO-
sition 10 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. II. b. Glover. of the Soaboard.
went very deliberately 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 i great hardship as these roads did
not now earn enough to pay their ex
penSes.
Mr.. Geo. N. Rose and Mr.. w. E.
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 tina its
net earnings in 1S9S-the best year in
its hiStory-had been 800. 525.O1, where
rs the interest on its bonded debt was
$1S3.00O. II 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 p PEI
cent. on molasses should stand. This is
4 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 genera
freight agents protested against the re
duction. Mr.. Kyle said his road hauled
cotton goods to oriental depots very
cheap III 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
I -, cold tho, ,Jva,l, I,1 cultivated th<
cotton mill business. and there is no com
plaint from the cotton mill industry, anC
he cited as evidence that the NORTH
Carolina roads We're taking care Of the
cotton mill industry. the Northern mil
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
ditionS. They feel that an agitation
might affect Interstate rates to thell
disadvantage. The New England mel
ship on third-clasS rate and the SOutl
on fifth-clasS rates. and Northern roads
have objected to this. The SeabOard has
built special cars. in which there is no
a bolt visible to haul cotton goods Sc
that the goods cannot be damaged.
The Commission reversed its order re
ducing the rate on cotton goods, ano
the old rate will remain in force.
BACON IN BAGS.
At present the rate on bacon shippe,
i'm bags is much higher than bacoI
shipped III boxes. Upon the petition OF
the Wilmington Tariff Association, The
Commission made an order giving bacon
shipped in bags the same rate as II
boxes. The roads excepted. but Mr.
Emerson admitted that there was merl
in that claim and his road would no
fight if. Mr.. GlOver contended tina
bacon shipped in bags was liable to IN
lure other freight and ought to pay
more.
The order giving the same rate IN bag
rs in boxes was affirmed.
EXPRESS OFFICE INLEN1NGTON
Il Nh. Puclan nrnranta6 n nptlfjOn from