The Savannah morning news., 1904-09-25
SAVANNAH BEGINS
The RATE FIGHT
COMMITTEE WAS APPOINTED.
PETITION FORWARDED TO THE
RAILROAD COMMISSION.

to Interfere with the f1gnt mere.
Railroad Commission is Asked to
Suspend the Two Circulars Which
Discriminate Against Savannah
Until the Committee Can Have n
Hearing.
While the Railroad Commission was
being enjoined in Atlanta yesterday
from putting into effect Circulars 3O1
and 302 plans were being made in Sa-
vannah to fight against the discrim-
nation in favor of Atlanta.
Resolutions were adopted at the
meeting of representatives of all the
trade bodies of the city and of the
city government, held in the Mayors
office, and a committee was appointed
by the Mayor to take up and continue
the fight. BY virtue of the resolution
under which the meeting was called,
Mayor Myers is made chairman of
this committee.
Mayor Myers and the representa-
tives of the various trade bodies, who
were at the meeting, signed a petition,
which was forwarded to the Railroad
Commission, asking that Circulars S01
and 302 be suspended until the petit
TONERS can have a hearing before the
| commission. The new committee
which has been appointed will not hes
| itate to fight the commission if salts
faction Is not given. The committee
has the power to draw on the city
treasury, with the approval of the
Mayor and the Finance Committee, to
carry the matter into the courts, if
the commission does not see fit to at
once right the wrong that has been
| done.
Injunction Doesn't Stop.
The injunction that representatives
| of railroads have applied for does not
| in any way affect the committee, which
now has the matter in charge. These
men are determined to stop the dis
ordinations against the city, no mat
ter what the cost
The representatives of the city and
| the various trade bodies agreed upon a
petition, which was signed by all pres
ent, asking the Railroad Commission
| to at least suspend the two circulars.
| which the Railroad Commission has re-
| Gently issued discriminating against this
city, until a hearing can be had, and
| that Savannah be granted a hearing
feet.
Injury to Savannah.
The resolution adopted was as fol-
lows;
Whereas. Under circulars No. 301 and
No. 302, recently promulgated by your
honorable body, causing a readjust-
ment of rates on certain commodities,
with reference solely to rates from the
city of Atlanta to certain points with
in the state of Georgia, determinations
will Immediately arise against the bus
| mess interests of this city, injurious
| ly and seriously affecting our trade re-
lations over large territory within
| the state; and,
Whereas, Immediate relief is neces-
sary to prevent a probably permanent
injury through loss of trade brought
about solely by such determinations;
therefore your petitioners, representing
the trade organizations and the mu-
nicipality of the city of Savannah, re-
spectfully pray your commission to:
Suspension of Circulars.
First. Suspend the operation of
Circulars No. 301 and No. 302 until such
time as your petitioners have had OPP
portunity to present for your consid-
Grafton their statement of the democrat
ization that would ensue from the OPP
Grafton of the new rates granted sole
ly to the city of Atlanta, and until
such time as the rates from Savannah
to Columbus, Macon, Augusta and
Athens can be equalized and placed on
the same basis in relation to Atlanta
as they We're previous to the issuing
of Circulars No. 301 and No. 302.
Second. That your petitioners be
granted hearing by your honorable
body before the new rates referred to
become effective.
And your petitioners will ever pray,
etc.
The Mayor and Aldermen of the City
of Savannah, by Herman Myers, May
or and chairman. The Savannah Cham
Der of Commerce, by Geo. w. Tiede-
man, vice president. The Savannah
Cotton Exchange, by Geo. P. Walker,
vice president. The Savannah Board
of Trade, by ]. j. Cummings, vice
president. The Savannah Wholesale
Grocers Association, by Joseph Ferst,
president.
But the matter is not to stop here.
In accordance with the original reso-
luton of Council the Mayor appointed
a committee, which is to have the
fight in charge. If the commission
does not give Savannah what it is en-
titled to, this committee will imme-
diately begin fight against the COM
mission, going into the courts to get
justice, If necessary.
Committee Was Appointed.
Mayor Myers, according to the reso-
luton of Council, is chairman of the
committee. Instead of appointing only
six other members as was provided
for in the resolution, he decided to
appoint nine. The committee consists
of the following:
Mayor Herman Myers, chairman; AL
derman y. r. Thomas. Col. ]. H. Estill,
Mr.. p. A. Stovall, MIR. w. w. Os-
borne. Mr.. A. J. Ives, Mr.. Joseph
Ferst. Mr.. f. C. Battey. Mr.. j. j.
Cummings and Mr.. Oscar Kulman.
This committee. Mayor Myers says,
will probably meet Tuesday to decide
definitely what action to take. Mayor
Myers was aware of the fact during
the day that the railroads would prob
ably get an injunction against the
commission, but he would not allow
that to interfere with the action of the
Savannah committee.
BY Special Delivery.
The Mayor had the resolutions adopt
ed forwarded to the Railroad Commits
sion by special delivery. so that there
| could be no possible doubt as TO the
commission getting IL in time.
The city is determined to make a
| fight on these rate determinations. IL
necessary. the committee which has
been appointed will go TO Atlanta and
| appear before the Railroad Commits
sion. Unless the commission voluntari-
| ~ gives some relief or is permanently