The news & observer. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1894-current, 1903-03-04


last night Mr.. Grant obtained consent to
introduce bill to incorporate Smith
Grove, in Davie county.
PASSED THIRD READING.
House Bill, for the relief of Miss zero
Smith
House Bill. to secure better drainage
Of water courses in Cabarrus.
House Bill. to prevent hunting in Ashe
county without consent of owner of land.
Senate Bill, to incorporate the Guaran-
ty Life and Indemnity Company OF Char
lotte.
House Bill. to incorporate the Mer-
chants Railway Company.
Senate Bill, to incorporate the Meek
lenburg Trust Company.
House Bill. to incorporate the Volunteer
Real Team No. l. city of Washington
House Bill, to amend chapter So Laws
Of 1901, relative to working the public
roads of Mecklenburg county.
House Bill, for the relief of Mrs. c. NJ.
Mclean. Administrative of C. NJ. Mclean,
Of Bladen county
Senate Bill supplemental to act to es-
tablish schools in Swan Quarter, Hyde
county.
House BILL 10 IESdldbE t4AO pun
schools in Mt Pleasant. Cabarrus county.
House Bill, to prevent drunkenness and
disorderly conduct in Cleveland and Ca
barrus county.
House Bill, to amend Code relating to
seining process OF the waters Of Hyde
county.
House Bill, to protect birds and Wild
fowl in Forsyth county.
nj ~ 1frsFn In a.
tauga county.
House Bill, for the relief Of Hubert
Powell, of Polk county.
FREIGHT RATE DISCRIMINATION.
Joint Resolution to investigate alleged
unlawful discrimination in freight rates,
providing for the apportionment by the
Governor of a commissioner to obtain
fun information about freight rates and
report to the Governor.
Mr.. Morton opposed the resolution,
reading a letter from a prominent mar-
chant in Wilmington, saying that such
commissioner is not needed, because
the information spoken of is already on
file in the office of the Corporation Com
mission. The writer was a member Of
the committee from the Associated
Boards of Trade that met in this city
few days age.
Mr. Morton said he saw no reason for
appointing such a commission, for the
discrimination complained of was not
within the State but an inter- State dis
elimination that no State officer could
reach.
Mr.. BIount said he was surprised to
see the gentleman from New Hanover
opposing a measure that was for the best
interest of the business men of the
State.
The business men of North Carolina
know, said Mr.. Blount, whether the Cor
poration Commission is doing its duty
or not As matter of fact this dis
elimination against North Carolina is
costing the State no less than $4,000 900
He called attention to the fact that the
city Of Wilmington had appointed a Com
mission to look after freight rates.
The business all over the State de
manded this measure. Let us make one
more trial at securing our rights,
General Davidson called attention to
the fact that the merchants of the State
were laboring under a very heavy tax
in the Revenue bill, and now that they
were asking for something that might
relieve them from very heavy freight
rates, it would be a very gracious thing
to give them this thing, even if it lid
cost the State something.
Mr. Morton asked how a commission
appointed by the Governor could have
anything to do with Interstate freight
rates
General Davidson said that the infor
nation could be collected and turned over
TO the Commission which, representing
the people Of The State, could take some
action.
MIR. Morton asked If General Davidson
knew that at the meeting in this city
the Corporation Commission had stated.
in response to a question as to the nced
of such a commission, that all such in
formation was already on hand
General Davidson said he knew that.
but that the Corporation Commission did
not have the power of initiative They
could not look into individual cases, in
the nature of things, or class distinction
in Interstate commerce. But, once let
the facts be brought before them, then
they in their official capacity can apply
to the Interstate Commerce Commits
sion and have the matter righted
When the question was put the reso-
luton was passed on second and third
readings, Mr.. Morton voting against it.
The salary provided for the commits
sioner is 1925 a month and expenses
Then a clerk at SIS a month is also pro-
yided for.
AsHEVILLE'S EXTENSION
Senator webb's bill TO extend the cor
porate limits Of AshevilIe then came az
IS TIE special order.
General Davidson spoke at length in
avor OF the bill He explained that 81
erst he had been opposed to the bill
because its lines were too wide. taking