The news & observer. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1894-current, 1903-01-17
Durham Delegation Heard by
the Committee.
GOES OVER TILL TUESDAY
Fuller Bill Magnfcsnty Supported by J. c.
Biggs and V. S Bryan;---1. W. Miller
and Fab Busbee on the
Oher Side.

1t was the hearing on the Jones Fuller
bill to give the Corporation Commission
the right to COMPEL any two or more
railroads entering town to build and
maintain union depot. if it shall be
deemed practicable in the judgment of
the commission.
The word Durham" is not mentioned
in the bill.
To keep the poor little Southern Rail-
way from being imposed upon by the
had committeeman there were present
MIR. Henry ". Miller, private secretary
to Col Andrews. and Mr.. Fab. Busbee,
attorney for the road.
A delegation of gentlemen from Dur
ham was present to urge a favorable
report on the bill. There were Messrs.
W. 7. Darlington, F. w. Vaughan, II.
4. Seeman, j. d. Pridgen, w. A. Slater,
Albert Kramer, j. Crawford Biggs, V. 5.
Bryant and w. j. Griswold.
The matter was argued in all of
phases by both sides, and was finally
postponed until next Tuesday afternoon
ct three o'clock.
The reason for the postponement OF the
vote by the committee was that the
Southern Railway was the only road
represented, and it was desired to hear
from the ether roads before coming to
any conclusion.
The meeting was presided over by
Mr.. T. S. Abel, of Johnston, the chair
man, and Mr. George l.. Morton, of New
Hanover, acted as secretary.
The principal arguments for the bill
We're made by Mr.. j. Crawford Biggs
and Mr. " s. Bryant both or Durham.
The talk for the Southern Railway was
made by Mr.. Henry w. Miller, Mr..
Fab Busbee limiting himself to one or
TWO interjaculatory remarks OF approval
of what Mr. Miller said.
Mr.. iMller's argument did rot differ
very materially from the familiar Legis-
ativc-Committee- Railroad tale of VICE. of
oppression and unjust discrimination Oh
the part of unaind Legislatures
Mr.. Biggs confined himself principally
othe legal side of the question, showing
that the proposed bill was entirely con-
stitutional
NJ. miller injected Durham into the
discussion, seeming to prefer that part
of the question to the more general one
embraced by the bill
at longth and with much power on the
irtolerable condition of affairs in Dur
ham.
There were several short and sharp
exchanges between Mr.. Bryant and Mr..
Miller during the latter part of the dis
cussion.
Altogether it was very spirited and not
at all monotonous.
MIR. Murphy, of Rowan. member OF
the committee said that if the bill were
made to apply TO Durham, he should I'M
hcsitatingly vote for it. Mr.. Murphey
said that they had a similar state of
affairs in Salisbury, and that it was well
nigh intolerable
Mr. Watts. of Iredell asked Mr.. Miller
If the Southern Railway was willing to
IUild a sufficiently large depot.
Mr. Miller replied that they were pre-
pared to enlarge the present one.
MIR Bryant asked: "Since when?'
Judge Graham: Would you be willing
to admit the ether roads ?"
Mr. Miller: Yes. but we do not think
we should be told at what rates to adj
nit them
Mr. Slater, of Durham, said that the
South Carolina Commission was now con-
siGCTing the question of compelling the
ScabCardA ir Line at Columbia. to run
into the station used by the other roads
there. al enormous cost to the Seaboard
Judge Graham Of Granville, said he
was very familiar with the unbearable
state of affairs in Durham. and was un-
in favor of passing the bill
whether for city or State. He dwelt
uTon the very evident injustice of MAX
ing the people of Durham, and in fact
the entire travelling public of North Car
dina suffer until the case with the
Southern Railway in the courts is set
tied.
Mr.. Fuller said he regretted that the
Dun ham affairs should have been drag
S21 in. for the only purpose OF this was
TO becloud the minds of the committee.
Tho questions touching the Southern
Railway. or whether the depot should be
built on Peabody street or not. are all
facts that should be submitted to the
Corporation Committee, after this bill
has rassed.
Judge Graham finally moved that the
bill be reported favorably.
Mr. Watts asked for more time TO
get light on the question.
Chairman Abel said he also should
prefer 10 have this matter go over until
rcyt week
ar Fuller said that as he had agreed
n conversation with Mr.. Abel that he
WeNid not object to the bin going over,
ne could not object now. although he
should much prefer to have a vote at
once.
Judge Graham then withdrew his mo-
tion
THE DISCUSSION
MT Jones Fuller first read his bill.
ana explained it by saying it was an act
amending the one creating the Cornoro-
poh commission Its purpose" said
ne rs to call to the aid of the pubIic
what | consider and what Others CON
slider the power of police protection of
the State. and to determine what right
the people who use the property of Quasi
public corporations have in that prom
erty.
He stated that Texas and South Caro-
lima both had. {decisions upon similar
questions. The bill. ne said, was not