Americus times-recorder. [volume] (Americus, Ga.) 1891-current, 1905-08-24
GATHERING INCONSISTENCY.

soIs of the present commission, was
composed of Judge Spencer r. At
kinson, j. Pope Brown and G.
Gunby Jordan. Their rulings as
railroad commissioners seemed ac-
ceptable to the people. At least,
they were never held up as Elm
potent puppets of a railroad ring. "
Scandalous language about them
did not appear in Georgia papers.
Yet, these very men had before
them the Identical petition filed by
the Atlanta freight bureau Sept.
1902 that came before the present
commission in April 1905.
Both petitions requested a port
rate for Atlanta to the sea.
Messrs Atkinson, Brown and Jor-
dan rendering their decision, af-
ter argument on April 18th, 1908,
said 'The conclusion of the com
mission is that the circumstances
do not require nor justify it to
order a reduction in port rates from
Atlanta to Savannah and Bruins
wick
"First, because it does not feel
called upon to make special rates
so as TO enable Atlanta to sell goods
in two jobbing towns in Georgia
viz; Savannah and Brunswick.
"Second, because the interstate
rates have been so adjusted that
Atlanta has fair opportunity to
compete with Virginia cities.
"Third, because under all the
circumstances the commission be-
lieves that it's present rates are
just and reasonable.
''The petition is therefore dis
missed"
This is from the record, signed
by Spencer r. Atkinson, j. Pope
Brown and G. Gunby Jordan.
The present Commission was
confronted with the same petition
for special rates to the sea. In
April 1905 they rendered the
same decision. Joseph M. Brown
took the trouble to write out in
full the reasons controlling the
commission, showing it was not
the states policy to grant Atlanta
better port rates than towns nearer
the sea, as it would ruin wholesale
trade of such towns.
| But the conclusion of this com
mission was treated very different
lily by some papers and stump
orators. The freight bureau got
| so mad with the present commits.
sion for preventing invasion o.
towns nearer the sea that the com
mission was asked to resign. Big
fuss was raised about it, and they
took it to the hastings for the
people to say whether these com
missiOners be allowed to remain
in office, and this decision is live
issue before the peOp'e. Why
| Messrs Atkinson, Brown and Jor
dan were not asked to resign as
"impotent puppets of the ring
is rot known, but war is made or
the present incumbents. Their de
cision, somehow, precipitated 9
heated campaign, and the very
towns they protected from the At
lanta demands are asked to assist
in the overthrow and disgrace
of the present railroad commission
/ Yet, these very men, SO warred
upon, did all they could to help
Atlanta, granting her special rates
on all goods manufactured in At
lanta, especially stoves, shoes and
hollow ware. For their effort tc
aid Atlanta they are taken
to the courts before Judge
Cam, represented there by
the Attorney General of the
state, Judge Jno. G. Hart,
and the case is pending in the
supreme court. But nothing atoned
for the loss of the port rate, IS
Atlanta could "extend her trade
to the sea, and the war on the com.
mission RACES hot and furious.
Strange outcome, when this com
mission, in the port rate decision
had for example the same decision
rendered by Judge Spencer r.
Atkinson, Pope Brown and Gunby
Jordan.