The Anderson intelligencer. [volume] (Anderson Court House, S.C.) 1860-1914, 1902-11-05
COTTON MILLS AND RAILROADS

road magnets and the cotton mill men
OF the up-couutry last mouth, forces
upon the commission the decision Of
question of very great Importance to
the entire people Of the State, as it
bears directly on the rapid progress
now being made in manufaturc.
The question briefly stated is, Shall
the railroads be permitted to continue
to charge as high rate Of freight on
manufactured goods to Charleston as
to Primers Point, the terminus of the
haul north, which is twice the dis
tancc. Upon first consideration of
the plan it would seem that plain,
simple equity, Independent Of any de-
tail of those particular benefits to the
people of the State, which go to make
up that equity, would force the com
mission to decide in favor of the mill
men: but the railways contend that
should they make the reduction, the
rate on roads outside Of the State
would make a corresponding reduc-
ton, which they would be forced
to meet and the reduction would yield
them no profit. The commission is
asked to consider, and are considering
this line of argument, yet. so far as
the State Of South Carolina is con-
cerned, the argument has not one ele-
ment of business in it, being at best
simply an appeal to sentiment. The
railway magnates doubtless proceed
upon the theory that the railroads
have been of great benefitto the State,
and the State should now show its
gratitude by allowing them to keep
closed their nearby port by discrimi-
mating in favor Of some other port
outside the State, because it keeps Sc
rene and in concert Of action a combi-
nation of roads which enables them to
earn satisfactory profit.
The commission meets in about ff-
teen days. What their decision will
be is uncertain, but there are ques.
tions confronting them reaching
and of greatest Importance in the fu-
ture growth and prosperity Of the
State, and if by chance the railroads
win in this instance, it can be only a
question OF very short time till con-
ditions arising from the development
OF manufacture will force upon the
people of the State the necessity for
the demands now made by the mill
men to be granted.
New conditions now confront our
people. Only few years easily
within the memory of our business
mep of today-the manufacture Of
cotton was confined to Europe and the
New England States. Cotton in An
derson sold at prices paid in New
York, less the freight. Within the
last few years cotton mills have begun
to dot every cotton raising State.
The mills Of New England are gradu-
ally being moved to the cotton fields
OF :hc South. Anderson has kept
pace In the manufacturing develop
ment and new conditions confront us.
The price paid for our cotton is based
Upon the profit to the mills upon man
ufactured goods. The item of freight
arises in manufactured cotton, not in
raw cotton. In proportion as profits
increase from n reduction Of freight
on manufactured goods, the mills can
pay better price for raw cotton.
Aside from this nothing, within
the limits Of equity, should be.allowed
to interfere with the development of
the natural advantages of the State.
Charleston has the advantage Of loca-
tion to our mills, and it is only Just
TINT the railroads be forced to fix
rate to this port proportionate to tho
rate they now charge northward. This
done, the future prosperity of the
State is assured. 1t will make mill
building in the up-country more profit
able. 1t will insure a better price to
our farmers for cotton. 1t will build
millions to the property value Of the
State. 1t will give the railroads with
in the State a vastly larger amount of
business. 1t will make possible the
growth of Charleston into IL distribu
ting point for the State for most Of
the articles OF commerce now received
from other sources.
Nothing more encouraging to mill
building IN the State could be done
than to give them the full benefit of
tho advantage of location to this
ne. by port, and nothing will con
du~s more to the general prosperity of
the State.
These are the arguments of the mill
men. They are just and equitable.
and how the commission can see it
otherwise we cannot understand.