The Montgomery advertiser., 1905-04-04
done its share of the years cotton

done It's share of the years cotton traffic. MT. Green told the commission that his road had arranged for intra-state transportation whereby the Alabama mills could get cotton cheaper than could mills outside of the State, thus encouraging distribution of trade in- side the State. He said that he did not think 1t a time to talk of decreased fertilizer rates when the road was op- erated at loss in the State. He said it was daily occurrence almost to consult with the manufacturers of fer tiliZers.
 In reply to a query from the chair man as to why he did not. while di- vision agent in Birmingham, consult him as a shipper. the witness replied that he never found it necessary, as the chairman always had the reputa- ton of making his wants known.
 President Conner smiled at this as- sertion.
 Rates on Wagons.
 President Conner exhibited set or rates on wagons out of Florence which he compared with the tariffs on wagons manufactured in Chattanooga, saying that there was an unjust discrimina- tion in favor of Chattanooga by the Southern Railway. Competition be- tween the two cities was greatly in- terfered with on this account. He said he had sent the complaint to the of- flee of MT. Green. but had not re- ceived any reply from him.
 MT. Green denied receiving 1t, but said he would give 1t his personal att tention when he returned to Atlanta.
 As best he remembered, MT. Green believed that put on the farm in Geor- gia the fertilizer in cost will hardly exceed the cost in Alabama. The bulk of fertilizers used in both States Is manufactured inside the States.
 President Conner alluded to the un- fair treatment of Alabama in the in- ter-state movement which he claims Is discriminated against by the rail- roads.
 MT. Green said this complaint was made in Tennessee and other States and President Smith of the Louisville and Nashville Railroad, made the sug- gestion that probably the chairman would derive some benefit if he could arrange for convocation or commis- sioners in a few of the States.
 This called for a rebuke from Presi- dent Conner, who reminded Mir. Smith that the Alabama Commission had the power to look into the mileage in this State and that 1t proposed to do so.
 Cannot stand Reduction.
 L. Sevier, Division Freight Agent of the Alabama Great Southern Railroad, was called to the stand He testified briefly that the total tonnage of the road credited to Alabama traffic was 45.6s per cent of the whole and that it was not bearing fair portion Of the earnings. He did not see how in a fair deal, his read could stand for a reduction. The rates on ferti- lizers in April, 1903, were increased, but the tariff schedules were filed with the Commission here and there was never any objection to them.
 The Alabama Great Southern Rail- road does not operate more than seven- teen miles of road in either Georgia or Mississippi Hence 1t did not come within the comparisons made by the president including distances of from 25 to 125 miles. Their rate on ferti- lizers in carload lots is $1.55 per ton.
 George R. Knox, General Freight Agent of the Nashville, Chattanooga and St. Louis Railway, testified In be- half of his road that the Huntsville branch which lies in this State is operating at a loss every year and if he were called upon to make calcula- tions for the future he could see noth- ing but another year of loss.
 The branch has been a continuous loser since 1t began operation in 1893, he said. He would appeal to the Commission for permission to increase the rates on fertilizer. surely instead of defending the road against propo- sition to reduce them. He declared that commodities compete and that in his road has lower rates on fertilizers than any other commodi- ty.
 He said the tariffs in the State had been made under his direct instruc- tions and had been approved several times by the Commission. He. at first. thought to increase the tonnage by offering low fertilizer rates. but although the idea Is a good one the road had never been able to get re- turns sufficient to cover the expenses of the branch in this State.
 With the completion of MT. Knox's statement the Commission adjourned until 10 o'clock this morning, when of rates will be resumed.