The news & observer. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1894-current, 1903-02-10
RAILROADS ASK LEGISLATION
AGAINST TOWN REGULATIONS
Speed of Fast Trains are Unjust and
Unreasonable,


The Senate Committee on Railroads
| did business yesterday afternoon in the
office of the Corporation Commission.
| In addition to the members of the
committee, Mr.. Anderson. who desires to
| have incorporated the HiaWassee Valley
Railroad Company with permission tor
| q vote on subscription to it's capital
stock in Clay and Cherokee, and Mr..
Henry w Miller. of the Southern Rail
way, were present. Mr.. Miller keeps a
hot trail when there is q scent of rail
road legislation
The Winston Salem Southbound Rail-
way bill first had the right of way.
| This is the road the charter of which
would permit the consolidation Of all
the roads of the State, and allow it to
parallel the North Carolina Railroad. On
motion of Senator Prtchard it was re-
ferred to a subcommittee consisting of
Senators Justice, Brown and Mann.
The bill Incorporating the HiaWassee
Valley Railroad was discussed. This is
a road which it is proposed to charter
with a capital of $150000 with permits
sion to increase to one and a half mil
lions 1t is to start from within one
course to be along the Hiawassee Valley
westwardly or enthusiastically, thence
! into and through Cherokee county to
connect with other railroads or to the
State line of Georgia or Tennessee by
such routes as are deemed best. The
road is also to be allowed to construct
telegraph and telephone lines.
An amendment offered yesterday makes
hot 10 ft,r.l No
in North Carolina and that nothing III
the act be construed so as TO allow it to
consolidate by lease or otherwise any
competing systems in the State. Any
increase in capital stock must be ze-
ported and the necessary payment be
made for this increase. The report will
be favorable.
The two bills, one to allow Clay county
and the other Murphy township, in
Cherokee county, to vote on subscription
to the capital stock, was referred to
Senators Burton and Wellborn. If they
find no objection a favorable report viii
be made.
The bill of Senator Reinhardt, intro
duced by request, to allow the railroads
TO petition to the Corporation Commits
sion for redress when they consider as
unreasonable municipal regulations con-
corning the speed of trains through towns
or cities was briefly discussed. The pill
allows the Corporation Commission to
fix the rate of speed when an appeal is
made, and in case the appellant loses
puts the cost on him. 1t is understood
that this bill comes from one of the
railroad companies of the State.
Mr.. Henry w. Miller, of the Southern
railway made a spsaeh on the bill. 81
am usually opposing railroad legisla-
tion," said he. "but | am in favor OF
this bill" He told of the Southern's
fast mail being required to slow down to
a four mile rate in passing through the
two and a half miles of a small town in
the State, and said this ordinance hal
been passed because the train did not
stop there for passengers and was a re-
taliatory measure. He said that for this
through train five minutes behind time
at Danville caused the road to be locked
by the United States Government about
$67 at Charlotte about $50, and at At
lanta 800, no excuse of municipal regu-
latons being considered by the United
States Postoifice Department, which set
the time of the departure of the train
lanta. The hardshps which the South
ern and other roads suffered, said he,
would be amelorated by the passage of
the bill.
Senator Burton spoke out when views
were asked in the matter and said that
neither he nor the people of his town
Reidsville, wanted any such law. He
said emphatically that the bill would
take away rights from municipalities to
pass ordinances about the value of which
they knew more than the Corporation
Commission
Senator Brown expressed opposition to
the bill, but said there were arguments
on both sides of the question. Senator
Mann thought it was too important
matter for hasty consideration, and pro-
posed that it go over. Senator Prtchard
agreed to this and a motion to adjourn
left the bill hung up in the committee.
EXeunt omnes