The news & observer. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1894-current, 1899-08-24
Summer Resd Du Bfuz cutar Esq, Wghse sound N c.

very full report demonstrates at GEte
both his fitness and industry.
The. Wilmington Tariff Association
can be said to be a crystalization of the
conviction of our business community
that the only hope for its commercial
future lay in the direction of the adj
justment of freight rate inequalities
which have for so long operated to dis
criminate against this city. The dis
advantages under which we now labor
are no more oppressive in respect of
specific inequalities than have been en-
dured for upward of twenty years, but
the practical effect has been more
keenly felt as from year to year our
competitors growing holder with each
success achieved in encroachments on
Wilmington's territory, and made strong
er by the acquisition of trade belonging
geographically to this city, have finally
so limited the scope of territory in
which we can compete successfully as
10 pre-exempt the larger and richer por-
tions Of the carolinas to their almost
exclusive trade. Especially is this true
of our own State, and the spectacle is
presented of Virginia cities, by virtue
alone Of the arbitrary adjustments of
the associated railways, exploiting tins
commonwealth for their own upbuild-
ing to the cost Of the States only sea-
port.
On entering upon the discharge of
their duties the board Of directors and
the general manager applied them
selves to ascertain the true situation and
to develop the legal remedies in the
premises. BY the industry and knowl-
edge of traffic affairs brought to the
prosecution of this work by the general
manager the field was accurately sur
veyed, and material gathered which
WREN properly arranged and classified
made mp cases for both State and Fed
eral adjudication pronounced by com
petent attorneys to be certain of sue
cessful Issue before an unprecedented
court.
While several complaints have been
satisfied and petitions granted by the
North Carolina Railroad Commission,
we found the Fusion Commissioners
who controlled the board so incompe-
tnet and biased as to render further ef-
fort before them futile. The most inn
portant case brought to their attention
Was that of .'class rates which involved
the removal of determinations on gen
eral articles of commerce to the central
and western ports of the State, which,
if granted, would have enabled Whining
ton to compete for trade in these Sec
tions Of the State on equal terms with
Norfolk; that is. business originating at
Wilmington would have paid the same
rate per pound per mile as business orig
mating at Norfolk, whereas under the
present adjustment, Wilmington pays on
the basis indicated an average of 80 per
cent. over Norfolk. This case was car
ried to the commissioners in July and
after repeated promises to hear it. was
finally dismissed on the ground that the
weather was too hot to attempt to nm
ravel so intricate question. Inc
promise, however, was made that with
the advent of cold weather the petition,
if renewed, would be heard. But alas!
with cold weather came the election and
the intricate question is still unrayeled.
This case is cited as an example of the
treatment received at the hands of this
incompetent commission. In the face of
such condition it was thought the part
Of wisdom to abandon all efforts to OBJ
tain relief from this source until the per-
sonnet of the commission was changed
and as result of the election we have