The news & observer. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1894-current, 1903-01-31
HITS OVERCHARGES
IN FREIGHT RATES
Railroad Go. Must Refund
Excess in Ten Days.
FOR OUARTERMA
Bill to Disfranchise Any Man Buying or Selling
VotC---Tax Dealers in Explosives
and Fire -CrackerS---0raw
for Seats.


Mr.. j. f. Erwin, of Burke, yesterday
introduced in the House a much needed
| bill
It's object is to protect shippers from
the very prevalent evil of overcharges
on freight by railroad companies.
The bill provides that it shall be
misdemeanor for railroad companies, eX-
press companies, telephone and tele-
graph companies to charge more than
their printed rates, or than agreed upon,
or than allowed by law or the Corpora
| ton Commission, unless the company
! shall restore the surplus within ten days.
This gives the shipper redress at the
hands of any Justice of the Peace, and it
| is provided moreover that one-half of
the fine imposed for non compliance with
the law shall be paid to the party giving
| information OF the infraction of the
statute.
{ Thus all the red tape and waiting that
| are so familiar to all who have ever
! had claim against railroad, are done
away with, and the customer is not at
| the mercy OF the corporation.
| and Observer reporter on the subject,
| told of a case that had come under his
| own observation.
| A lumber man shipped a carload of
| lumber from Carthage to Burlington. The
agent originally gave him the rate as
| $l4.50. After that the rate, as given by
the company, was $23.25, and they actual
! ly collected $71.00 in freight charges be-
| fore the owner of the lumber coul get
! his property.
AS things are now, that mans only
| remedy is TO file claim for the differ
ence, He then has to wait until that
! claim goes to the auditor of the freight
| department A lot of red tape is measur-
! cd off, and the company takes it's good
/ time. Sometimes it is two years before
the claim is paid, and sometimes one
| year and half; but never less than one
| year.
| Mr.. Erwin himself filed a claim with
a railroad company five years ago, and
+ has never yet heard from it.
| The bill providing for the restoration
of estate to persons recovered from in
| ebriacy was passed on it's final reading,
| after a brief discussion and a roll call
/ vote. II simply amends the present law
restoring estates to recovered lunatics
| by adding inebriates who are restored
! to their proper faculties.
! Mr.. Harrington, of Harnett, wants the
pension law so amended that quarter
masters, as we'll as soldiers and sailors,
| be included.
; Judge Graham proposes in a bill amend
! ing the revenue act to put the ten dollar
| tax upon all sellers of dynamite. nitro
glycerine and other explosives as we'll as
/ those who sell deadly weapons, and q
| fVe-dollar tax upon dealers in fire-crack-
ers and other fireworks
resolution offered by Judge Graham.
! provides that members of the House
shall hereafter draw for their seats in the
Hall after they have been sworn in, on
the first day of the session.
Mr. Offman introduced a bill to pre-
vent bribery and corruption at elections
by disfranchising for period of ten to
twenty years any one who shall either
buy or sell vote.
Governor Doughton put in a bill amen
datory of the charter of the Grand Lodge
of Masons authorizing it to hold and con-
troll the capital stock of the Masonic
Construction Company. This merely
gives the Grand Lodge the right to have
and sell stock in the Masonic Temple
soon to be built in Raleigh.
THE DAY IN DETAIL.
Speaker Gatts called the House to
order at 10:S0 o'clock. and Rev. Levi
Branson offered prayer.
PETITIONS.
For temperance legislation by Kins-
land, Davidson, Williams, Robertson
Pollock, Woodard. Jarrett, Vann, Uzzell
Parker of Wayne. Scott, Hamlin, New
land, Hunter, Warren, Price of Stanly,
Etheridge, Carlton, Kreger, Michael,
Offman, Hamilton, Smith, Walters, Love
Gattis. Luther. Grant.
Siler: Relating to stock law in Chat
ham.
Hamlin: For retention of present IL
quor law.
Hunter: To appoint Alonzo Silly
Justice of the Peace.
To prevent drag net fishing in Camp
bells Creek
For repeal of law prohibiting sale of
liquor at Bath
Etheridge: From Dare county, against
Audubon Bird Law applying to Dare
, county.
Carr: To incorporate Howells Church.
Grant: For retention of present liquor
law.
BILLS INTRODUCED
Alexander of Tyrrell: For relief of
, widow of Thomas Cone.
Graham of Granville: Resolution re-
lating to drawing of seats by members
OF House of Representatives.
Scott of Alexander. Resolution reIat-
{n licfc nd
To regulate conduct Of insurance com