The news & observer. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1894-current, 1903-01-21
THE FULLER BILL A WISE
MEAsURE--IT SHOULD
PASS.

PASS.
The Committee on Railroads heard ar
gument again yesterday afternoon on the
bill to give the Corporation Commission
power to compel the erection of union
depot when it is demonstrated that it is
both desirable and practicable. Mr..
Kenly, of the Atlantic Coast Line, made
objections to the bill Mr.. Busbee and
Mr.. Miller of the Southern, lugged in
CATION over Peabody street and the town
of Durham to befog the simple issue
Ought the Commission to have the power
to compel the construction of a union
depot when practicable? They aready
have the power to compel the erection of
sufficient depot accommodations by one
railroad If that power ought to be
given, why not give the power to compel
two or more roads to unite and build
union depot?
The bill does not give any dangerous
power" as the railroad attorneys argued.
community, denied adequate depot facili-
ties, can present their petition. If any
town or city can demonstrate that a
union depot ought to be established, the
Commission can order it, and not other
wise. The power to give relief should
be vested in some tribunal, and
the Corporation Commission is the
proper tribunal. 1t imposes no
hardship, no unjust burden upon
any railroad. 1t only provides a
way by which no city can be doomed to
such conditions as now prevail in Dur
travelling public have a right to ade-
quate accommodations, and it is often
the case that they can be given only
through the erection of a union depot,
such as has been erected at Raleigh
When it is demonstrated that any city
needs union depot and pays enough
money in freight and passenger tariff to
warrant it, who shall say that the State
may not require the railroads to erect it =?
The State has given the Corporation
Commission power to regulate freight
and passenger rates, to compel different
roads to make connections, and to make
sworn statements of all their receipts
and disbursements. If the Corporation
great powers, who shall say it is danger
Gus to give them the right to order union
depots when it shall be demonstrated
that it is practicable and necessary?
Mr. Kenly, representing the Atlantic
Coast Line, stated yesterday that his
road had had much business with the
Corporation Commission and had found it
conservative and fair. That is the record
it has made. Nobody need fear that
when the Fuller bill passes the Com
mission will require the erection of a
union depot at any point where the just
and reasonable demands of the public do
not demand it.
The only argument against the bill is
based upon fear that the Corporation
Commission will not exercise the power
conferred wisely and justly. That argu-
ment We submit, ought not to have any
the General Assembly. AS to the Repub-
lican members, they will vote on this and
every other matter just as the railroads
want them to vote.
The legislators will not be misled by
all the "ins" and "outs" of the litigatio
between Durham and the Southern Rail-
way. That has nothing to do with the
case. That litigation has been pending
ten years. 1t will probably not be set
tied for ten more years. Durham people
are pressing this bill because Durham is
being shamefully treated, as everybody
knows and admits. But, if Durham had
no interest whatever in the bill, it ought
to pass because it confers a just and
needed power on the Corporation Com
mission.
Democrats disagree and divide: Repub-