The news & observer. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1894-current, 1899-09-06
A LIVELY DISCUSSION
MATTER OF COTTON RATES Be
FORE COMMISSION.
A BAGGAGE CASE FROM WILMINGTON
Capt. Turner Presented the Case for the Sea-
board, Mr.. R. 0. Burton for Coast
Line and Mr.. c. NJ. Busbee
for the Defendant.


The session of the Corporation Com
mission yesterday was taken up princ:-
pally with the discussion of the cotton
rate AN the leading railroads had rep
resentatiyes present TO oppose any change
in the existing rates. Several complain
ants were also present. The Seaboara
Air Line was represented by Capt. J. NJ.
Turner, acting superintendent, and Mr..
III. w. b. Glover, of Portsmouth, traffic
manager. The Coast Lime was repre-
scented by Manager T. NJ Emerson, of
Wilmington and the Southern by j. NJ.
Culp, traffic manager. Mr.. w. J. Craig,
general freight agent of the Charleston
and Western Carolina railway was pres
ent as the representative of his road.
The chief point of contention was that
the rates on cotton, cotton seed, and cot
tom seed products in this State are too
high, and that particularly the rates for
short hauls of cotton IN the State are 50
high in some instances that cotton nlic
prefer TO buy their raw material IN Miss
lssippi Alabama and South Carolina and
so get advantage of the long haul inter
state rates rather than buy cotton from
comparatively nearby points and pay the
short haul rate.
Mr.. j. NJ. Culp spoke first for the
Southern. He said tllat cotton rates ia
this State were lower than III Alabama,
Mississippi, Tennessee, and about the
same as IN Georgia The Georgia com
mission had lately considered the ques
tion Of reducing rates, but had made no
change. The South Carolina commits
sion had made Il reduction, but not 10
such low rates as prevail in this State.
1t is easier. Mr. Eulp cCatended, to reach
mills in this State than III the other
Southern States. As TO differentials he
said the rates were lower in Western
Carolina than jim other parts of the
State He submitted comparative ta-
bic Of long and short haul rates for the
several Southern States.
Mr.. T. NJ. Emerson for the Coast Lane
said that so far as cotton and cotton
seed products were concerned the rates
are now so low as to be almost unprof-
liable. In South Carolina an advance
had been asked for and would probably
he granted by the commission. The peo-
pie of the State generally are satisfied
with the adjustment of rates as made by
the roads and desire no change, he SAID.
Mr.. X. j. Mcklnnon. cotton buyer
of Maxton who was present to ask for
reductions, asked Mr.. Emerson u nuia-
Der of questions, as did Chairman Me
Neil. relative to apparent discrimination
at points along the Atlantic and Yad-
kin as compared with points ON other
branches Of the Coast Line. MIR. Eun-
erson explained that these apparent dis
ordinations arose from the fact that
after the sale and division of the oil
G. Il. and Y. ", the continuous mileage
basis had been voluntarily maintained
by the purchasers.
Mr.. H. w. b. Glover for the Seaboarl
said he had little to add to what had
already been said as to the cotton rates
of this State No State had better rates
on cotton and as to cotton seed rates
they are already lower than in other
Southern States. Considerable time WAS
then consumed in discussion of cotton
rates from Maxton to Wilmington Mr..
Glover said that the fact that the Sea
board hauled only $50 out of total OF
10000 bales shipped from that point
was not due to higher rates, the rates
over the roads being the same.
AT the conclusion OI MT. Glover $
statement warm discussion arose be-
tween Mr.. Emerson and Mr.. Glover on
the one side and Mr.. McKinnon ON the
other as to who would be benefited by
q reduction of rates. Mr.. Mckinnon
contended THAT the price of cotton was
fixed by freight rates and that the redu.-
ton would benefit the planter. MIR. Elm
erson asserted that Liverpool fixed the
price Of cotton and the reduction wou,l
benefit the mills. which are already max
ing from II TO 40 per cent profit and do
not need any reduction.
Mr.. McKinnon: II have some cotton
mill stock / should bike to sell YOU
Mr. Emerson: What is your price,
"Sixty FIVE"
"Where is your mill!'
SIN Maxton."
Chairman Mcneil here joined the side
of the bears and the stock deal fell
through.
Mr. Glover took up the question. "Silp-
rose you were buying cotton in Maxton.
You would buy it at a price that wond
enable You to ship to Liverpool Eand pay
the freight would you not?' he asked OF
Mr.. McKinnon.
YES, SIR
Suppose then you sold that bale of
cotton to the local cotton mill instead Is