The news & observer. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1894-current, 1898-02-22

fine average rates in the South, ana
much lower than the average rates Ior
all railroads in the United States.
"3rd. That the average receipts for
passenger per train mile are less than
the average cost of carrying the same
7 believe these statements to be true.
'Cbere is absolutely no evidence to SNOW
that anv of the railroads are earning
more than they ought to earn from
theip Messenger traffic in North caro-
lima. For other reasons l oppose TINS
resolution. | believe, if there is evil
dence that the earnings of the railroads
in North Carolina can with justice be
reduced. reduction should be made where
if will do the greatest good to the great
nst number. This will be accomplished
bv reduction of freight rates rather
than of passenger rates. That this is
desired is shown by the fact that
while there has been no demand made
upon the Railroad Commission for a re-
duction in passenger tariff. complaints
many and various, have been made of
excessive freight rates and at least two
of the political parties in the State
have, in their platforms, recommended a
reduction of freight rates. Statistics
snow that seventy per cent of all money
paid to railroads in the United States
is received for freight. A larger proper
ton than even that is received on some
roads in North Carolina, which shows
conclusively that freight rates are rela-
lively of much greater Importance to
the people than passenger rates. Nearly
all those who travel by rail do so for
business or pleasure. That number in
North Carolina is comparatively small.
and proportionately few will be benefit
ted by reduction in passenger rates. A
reduction in freight rates. however,
would benefit every man in the State,
for every man, be he merchant, mechan
ic. manufacturer miner, farmer, banker.
broker, or common carrier, pays the
freight on what he and his family eat,
drink and wear. The enforcing of the
resolution introduced by Mr.. Pearson
will decrease the revenues of the rail-
roads to such an extent that it will be
absolutely impossible to make any reduc-
ton in freight rates.
Il therefore offer the following as Il
substitute for Mr.. Parsons resolutions:
Resolved, That the officials of the
various railroad lines doing business IN
North Carolina be cited to appear be-
fore this Commission on Thursday, the
10Th day of March. 1898, to show
cause why there shall not be a material
reduction in freight rates within the
State"
The substitute failed by vote of 1 to
,. DR.. Abbott being the only one TO
vote for it,
The other two Commissioners were
influenced in making the new rate to
great extent by their recent investiga-
ton of the pass question as we'll as the
financial reports of the roads on which
the reduction is made.
For instance. the Seaboard Air Line
in response to the order of the Rail-
road Commission. reported 15,155 free
passes used during the year 1897, and
51S,9 4S miles travelled. This, at 81
cents per mile, would amount to the
modest sum of $1S,S15.S1 upon one sys-
tenn alone, and that the weakest in
North Carolina.
1t is said that for a corresponding
period the Atlantic Coast Line issued
10000 free passes in North Carolina
and the Southern Railway not less than
one hundred thousand
The Southern Railway at least will
appeal from the rate. or rather it will
sue out an injunction before a Federal
Judge to restrain the Commissioners
from putting the new rate in force In
fact the papers are already prepared.
1t is not known whether or not the
other roads will join with the Southern
in this fight.