The news & observer. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1894-current, 1905-05-14
WHO REPRESENTS NORTH CARO-
LIMA SENTIMENT?

LIMA SENTIMENT?
At the last session of Congress, a
Interstate Commerce Commission
the power to fix railroad rates and to
enforce the same. 1t provided. of
course. that the railroads would have
the right to have the rates set aside
if they were so low that they denied
the owners of the railroads fair
dividend upon the money invested
That bill had the approval of Presi-
dent Roosevelt and passed the House
by a very large majority. All the
members of the House of Representa-
tives from North Carolina voted for
it. as they were instructed to do, both
by the overwhelming sentiment of
their constituents and by the National
Democratic platform. adopted at ST
Louis in 1904. which was in these
words
eve demand an enlargement of the
powers of the Interstate Commerce
Commission. to the end that the traV-
cling public and shippers of this coun-
try may have prompt and adequate
relief from the abuses to which they
are subjected in the matter of trans
portation.
The vote of the North Carolina dele
cation in Congress said in effect to the
world: "The people of North Caro-
lima, who have commissioned u.s. to
represent them, favor a law that will
confer upon the Interstate Commerce
Commission the same powers to fix
and enforce Interstate rates as the
North Carolina Legislature has con-
ferred upon the State Corporation
Commission to fix and enforce intra-
State rates.
In their vote, did the North Carolina
members of the House voice the Senti-
ment of the people of this State? If
so, the railroad directors and officials,
who ride dead-head to Washington to
declare that the business people, man
ufacturers and shippers are satisfied
with present freight-rate conditions,
are not correctly stating the true po-
sition of North Carolina upon this
important question. Either the Con-
gressmen or Mr.. Cox and Mr. Cone
are misrepresenting the views of this
State Which?
AS to the individual views of Mr..
Cox and Mr.. Cone. we have nothing
to do. They are both successful bust
ness men who stand high in their
communities. If they think present
railroad rates and present discrimina-
tions and present rates are all right.
they have a right to their views. But
when they go to Washington. and tell
the Senate Committee as large manu-
facturers that this State does not wish
rate making legislation, they thereby
in effect declare that the votes of the
delegation in Congress does not truly
represent the State. They essay to
defeat such legislation by creating an
impression which, if true. shows that
this State is misrepresented by its
Congressman. OF course Mr.. Cone and
Mr.. Cox believe the sentiment to be
as they have stated it. but they have
lIlell ONu VIEWS IOi lIlC views
of the people of the State. There
fore, it becomes necessary to say that
these gentlemen, in their zeal to con-
tinue present freight rates and condi-
lions, have erred in their statement
that their views are shared by the
mass of manufacturers. business men.
shippers. merchants and farmers of
the State.
Director Cox and Director Cone are
in line with the views of President
Spencer, Vice-President Andrews and
other railroad officials. but not in line
with the business interests of North
Carolina. The votes of the North
Carolina members of Congress correct
ly voice the sentiment of the people
of the State, the railroad officials and
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