The news & observer. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1894-current, 1903-02-18
Under the Dome.

North Caroline. are up in arms against
what they say are Determinations. One
phase of the determinations had an airing
before the House Railroad Committee
yesterday afternoon upon a hearing on
Representative Erwins bill. To show
the deep interest in such legislation we
print the following interview with AL
derman McNich, of Charlotte:
THE merchants of Charlotte have suf-
fered very much because of the lack of
pTomptness in the placing of cars of
freight by the railroad companies within
a reasonable time. Last spring cars of
merchandise of all descriptions were
wedged on the sidetracks around Char
lotte by the hundreds. Goods of all de-
scriptions could not be gotten at, and
parties to whom goods were consigned
suffered great loss and inconvenience
all because of the inability of the roads
to handle its business. Not only was
this the case with goods for Charlotte
merchants, but shipments from the fer
tilizer mills, oil mills, and other ship
ments originating in Charlotte, or in
transit from other points to points be-
young We're tied and blocked say thirty
days, past any possibility of god service
by the railroads. Such conditions happen
for many reasons, notably, wrecks, de-
stroyipg rolling stocks and blocking the
track, or often from lack of facilities to
handle business accepted by the rail-
reads. This and even worse conditions
than this are now pictured, happens fire.
quently.
"To cure this and other trouble a num-
Der of merchants of Charlotte and other
points are petitionng the Legislature to
pass an act empowering the Corporation
Commission to make such regulations as
may be necessary to protect the BUSINESS
CT the State as it does in South Carolina
or Georgia
"All shippers in this State are required
to pay demurrage charges after certain
time when cars are not unloaded within
that time limit. But our people feel that
the law should be made to work both
ways, that is require the railroad COM
panies to pay demurrage when it fails
to move cars from one point within the
State to any other point giving the rail
roads a reasonable time in which to do so,
and further, to require railroads to pay
demurrage on shipments when not placed
within a reasonable time. taxing them as
the part of the railroad companies. Fur
Their. when merchant or shipper wishes
a car placed for shipment of goods, the
railroad companies should be required
to do the same promptly, or pay demur-
rage.
These demurrage laws are admittedly
good as they now stand because they
require prompt service from cOnsignees
in unloading or moving freights, thus
permitting railroad companies to use cars
for other business, but it only works one
way.
THE States of Georgia and South Car
DINA have long since passed such regu-
lations, charging demurrage to both rail-
roads and shippers.
1T is understood that the railroads are
arranging to make a bitter fight on this
matter when it comes before the Legis-
lasture, and in the committee. The mat
ter comes up Wednesday at 8 o'clock
before the Committee on Railroads and
Corporation Commission, Messrs. w. J.
Chambers. ]. H. Wellington, ]. X.
Wolfe, J. II. Wearn and myself and other
merchants, will appear before that COM
mittee at its meeting. These gentlemen
request that all merchants over the State
wire the said committee and their local
Representatives, insisting on this pro-
lection, which is so badly needed"
Yesterday afternoon the House Raj
road Committee favorably reported the
bill to extend the charter of the New
River Railroad. introduced by Mr..
Thomas, of Ashe county.
Before the House Railroad Committee
yesterday afternoon, the Senate bill to
permit the railroads to the Corporation
Commission from the municipal authori-
ties in case the ordinance of any town
impaired their fast train schedules was
reported favorably, with certain amend
ments. In the Senate, Cumberland,
Wayne and Rockingham were exempted
from the provisions Of the bill. On mo-
ton of Mr.. Morton the committee will
recommend that the bill apply to every
county in the State. Mr.. E. S. Abel,
chairman of the committee, said he would
make a minority report to except john
ston, Wayne, Cumberland and Rocking
ham counties. at is a direct strike at
the municipal authorities of my county,
said Mr. Abel, land I wish my county
exempted from the provisions of the
bill"
Mr.. John T. Patrick in nothing if not
progressive He has drawn a bill, which
has been in+~~S''ond in the Legislature,
to permit the town of Pine Bluff, Moore
county, to levy a special tax for the pur-
pose of advertising their town as win
IT, resort. The investment Of Northern
money in Moore county has been much
greater than anybody outside of that
county imagines.
Writing few days ago to the Morgan
ton Herald about his bill to prevent over
charges, discrimination and delays in
transporting freights which was heard
before the Corporation Commission yes
terday, Representative j. Ernest Erwin.
Of Burke, said:
eff this becomes a law it will be a
great saving to the people of the State,
and l will try to make it a law, but we
will See how it comes out. The railroad
lawyers are lined up against me from all