The news & observer. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1894-current, 1905-02-28
The Senate Committee is
Against Bill.
AND THIS UNANIMOUS
The Committee Yesterday Heard a
Spirited Argument For and Against
the Bill Which Had Already
Passe the
House.

The Laughinghouse bill prescribing
that passenger fares in North Caro-
lima be put at three cents first-class.
two and a half cents second-class,
railroads less than seventy-five miles
exempted, and also providing for in
Interchangeable mileage books with
the railroads in the State was yes
terday given an unfavorable report
by the Senate Committee on Rail-
roads
The bill originated in the House,
passed the House Committee and by
u big vote Won IN the House. 1t was
argued yesterday before the Senate
Committee by Mr.. Laughinghouse,
of Pitt. in favor and by representa-
tives of the railroads and Representa-
tive Boney opposing. The debate
was animated. Mr.. Laughinghouse
being the only opponent against COM
bined forces
The vote TO report unfavorably was
a unanimous one. eleven members of
the committee being present. these
being MesSrs. Toushee, Mclean.
VaFn. Mason. of CASTOR, Mason of
Northampton. Burton, Arendel.
Wright. Long Of Iredeti. and Taylor.
MIR. Pou Against the Bill.
The COMMITTEES was first addressed
by Mr.. James II. Pou in opposition to
the bill. He first called attention to
what he termed errors made. in state
ments by friends of the bill before
the House Committec in executive seq
sion. this being that in New Zealand
with density OF population about the
same as in North Carolina the rate
of fare Is less. this without the quail
flying information that there the gov
ernment owns the railroads, these
being required TO carry Workmcn GO
ing to work and school children GO
ing TO school without charge, the rate
of speed being 10 IL miles All hour.
lie declared that the statement
should also be made that the freight
rates per mile per ton arc four and
half times rs IN North Carolina.
He said also that another statement
ne desired to refute was that the rail-
roads were not i'll earnest in their
opposition, that Cne opposition is
earnest and that no compromise had
been limited at in change OF rates.
that the Cooperation Commission had
m3de the rates and was not Sinking
It's duty. that the men on it arc not
eova rds. 81.
SIR. Pou said that tie cry that the
railroads were crying poverty was
unjust. that the statement vas that
no money was being made on pas
sengcr fares. He urged that only
in two isolated cases where special
conditions prevail are rates lower
than in North Carolina. and at no
places with density Of population AMI
similar conditions as exist n North
Carolina are rates lower. AS 10 av-
erasc rates being shown IS lover
than IL cents he held that this
was caused by. excursion rates, rates
TO children. ministers. etc. The
rail- o,,Gs are making no threats and
if tho rates are lowered Will do tho
pest they can. but that this would
necessarily cause than To take OFF
trains shoe 'tlys being specifically
named. which are being run at = loss.
He named Wilmington. Fayetteville.
Weldon and other starting points of
such trains. which put people in Raj
eigl and back home at night at 4
great saving III hotel fare and time
and enlarged on the value Of these
trains. which might have to be taken
off anu this rot as a matter of spite.
He held that the loss to railroads
would prevent earnings, and that as
average trips in North Carolina arc
thirty -five miles that the saving is
only Is cents TO passenger, with an
expense many times Greauer i'll hotel
bills. lie held that the matter was
properly in the hands of the Cor
po:dtion Commission which IS CON-
posed OF mel. having The confidence
of the people and the resect OF the
railroads. that this body could prop.
eriy settle the question.
While the roads had not suggested
the abolition Of second class tickets.
yet as there is not such H-irginia
;nd South Carolina. where there IS
fiat rate of three cents the roa DIS
in North Carolina would Tot raise
special objection as there would not
be the necessity for train equipment
as large as at present. As to re-
ceipts the average is 5 cents first
class. 35 cents second-class. on each
dollar received. y lower rate us
asked would do hurt in obtaining
funds IN bonds for new railroads,
which would perhaps kill such pro-
jccts.
III reply T. questions, Mr.. Pou said
that while the passenger tratiIc had
increased that this was with increased
service and more free.Ient trains.
making Increased expense. as to
rad decided that railroads could not
be forced TO issue family mileage
books. As to interchangeable mile
age books il was not right as little
roads would fail 10 pay their share.
IT is forcing big roads in partnership
with little roads which do not pay
debts. lie referred specifically to
the Carolina and Southern. and to
Various Receivers under Judg. Fur
ueii. q lite forty-one miles long. with
Receivers in the last
aging one for every eight miles. He
held that no committee after inyesti-
CATION would rtport such II plan ia
Norabi..
Mr.. Ryan OF the Seaboar,:.
The next speaker was Mr.. G. 8,
Ryan. the general manager of the
Scabosrd Air Line. lie sroke If
the cost Of running trains as exceed
ing the fares received and that tie
inereaged receipts iii the { asst few
Years was due to building VI places,
that nope is the guiding star of rail-
roads, and that trains are run witt,