The news & observer. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1894-current, 1904-05-01
THE CORPORATION COMMISSION
WINS IN SELMA CONNEC-
TTON CASE.

The people of Eastern North Caro-
lima are not perpetually doomed to
the before day or midnight schedules
to Raleigh and the west. The light
begins to break. After whole week.
hearing of evidence and argument,
the jury in the case of the Corpora
ton Commission VS.. the Atlantic Coast
Line held in favor of the Commission
and that sit is practicable and rea-
sonable" for the Atlantic Coast Line
to run a train from Rocky Mount to
Selma so as to reach there by 2:40
.. M every afternoon in order to con-
meet with the Southern train going
west.
For twenty years the Atlantic Coast
Line and the Southern maintained
this connection at Selma. Last fall
the Southern, stating that the failure
of the Atlantic Coast Line to make it's
schedule to Selma had made the con-
nection impossible, put on a new
schedule leaving Selma at 2:25 D. m.
instead of $3.50 as heretofore. The At
lantic Coast Line authorities stated to
the Commission that it just simply
could not reach Selma by 2:40 or
2:50 p. m. Thereupon the Commits
sion issued an order requiring the At
lantic Coast Line to run another train
from South Rocky Mount to Selma in
order to make the connection. 1t was
"close CALI but the Commission
has won.
1t is to be hoped that instead of
further litigation, the railroads in
terested will get together" and re-
store the connection. Here would be
tual advantage of both roads and the
public: Let the Southern go back
to its schedule of leaving Selma at
ESQ .. m, or even 3 y. m. That will
give it plenty of time to reach Green's
boro for the connections there. 1t
ought, anyway, to straighten it's line
between Raleigh and Wilson Mill and
improve the track all the way to
Greensboro. 1t is not in as good con-
diton as it SHOULD be and it is because
the road in perfect condition that it
wishes to run a slow schedule. Let
the Atlantic Coast Line then agree to
get it's regular train to Selma by $50
p. m, with the proviso that when it
is unable to do SO, it will run a spe-
cial from South Rocky Mount to
Selma to insure the connection. There
ought never to have been any trouble
| in reaching some such understanding,
and it ought to be reached now.
The people of Eastern North Caro-
lima have a right to the continuation
of a connection they have enjoyed for
twenty years. They are determined
to exhaust every resource, legislative
enactment or otherwise, that will give
| it to them. They do not wish to i'm
| pose any burden on the railroads. The
| Corporation Commission, before
making it's order that has been sus-
| tained sought to secure an adjust
ment agreeable to both roads. Fail
| ing to do so, there was nothing left
but to require the resumption of the
connection There is no doubt of
their power to do this or of the rea-
sonableness of exercising the power.
Why should the matter be further
contested? The people have a right
to this connection and they will never
stop until they get it, either by order
of the Corporation Commission or leg
| islative enactment. The roads interest
ed are making big money and are
amply able to provide the needed ser
vice. The people hope the roads will
| get together" at once and restore
the reasonable, convenient and neces-
| sary connection SO as to put an end
to the great inconvenience and ex-
pense now imposed upon the travelling
public.
The connection is coming Hurry
| it w.!