The Montgomery advertiser., 1905-11-05

they would like to retain exclusively
Tor themselves. Undoubtedly. one Of
the first complaints that would be made
the Interstate Commerce Commits
sion were given control over rates,
would be directed to destroying this
alleged advantage OF the Southern
mills. Therefore, the proposed legisla-
ton, giving rate-making power to this,
commission, or any similar body, com
tains serious threat to the prosperity
OF cotton manufacturing in the South.
Tor We could not continue to do BUSH
ness without favorable rates. The
Northern mills have other advantages
which we do not possess. They are
| nearer the local markets. such as New
York, Philadelphia and Baltimore, ana
they can obtain money at . lower rate
Tor interest. A distance basis of rates
might hurt them, but It would destroy
US. for we have no large nearby mar
ket such as they have. but must depend
upon upon distant markets for our
prosperity. These are abundant rea-
sons In the minds of the thoughtful
cotton mill men Of the South for OPP
posing anything that looks toward
Government rate-making."
Mr.. Frederick B. Gordon, President OF
the Georgia Industrial Association,
which includes the big cotton manu-
AeSS0kVAo Va tlA0 0t0tC AA Al8 uemOeI-
ship. expressed the same ideas as Mr..
Jordan.
Our opposition to every scheme of
hard and fast rates fixed by Federal
authority" said Mr.. Gordon, comes
from no particular fondness for the
railroads on our part, but from an APP
probation OF the danger to our own
prosperity and our very existence
which such a plan involves While
the rates that we now have on our
products seem to US to be fair In most
cases, there are some that we think
might be improved. For example, we
would like to have an allowance on
the raw cotton shipped here for manu-
facture and going on to market In nm
ished form, something like the milling
in transit rates on wheat In the West.
But we know that there IL much better
chance OF our obtaining any reasonable
concessions when dealing directly with
the roads than there would be IL we
had to deal with a Federal Commits
sion and II the matter were one Of Sec
tional controversy, wit ha section that
is likely to be politically more powerful
In appealing to a politically appointed
Commission"
In Alabama the same sentiment
seems to prevail among the manufac-
turers. talked with Mr.. q. w. Pratt,
President of the Pell City Manufactur-
ing Company, among other representa-
tive mill men, Mr.. Pratts company Is
the largest producer of cotton goods
and the greatest consumer OF raw cot
ton in the Birmingham district. 1t has
in operation 740 automatic looms and
$4,000 spindles. with an output OF 400.-
900 pounds OF finished cloth a month.
Mr.. Pratt said that three years ago,
when he came to Pell city Y contained
fifty-seven persons. Now his mill em-
ploys over COO. and there are several
other large factories supporting
population OF over 1000 and represent
ing anAinvested capital Of about mill
lion and quarter dollars.
"Aif this has been made possible by
the intelligent cooperation OF the rail-
roads," said Mr.. Pratt. "a thing which
would be made impossible II tn erail-
roads were to be subjected to a Gov
eminent rate-making power which
would practically control their in
comes. I did not come here for my
health. but to make money. The rail-
roads have enabled me to do It. /
found them ready to grant reasonable
rates. and Pell City became a shipping
point. I did not attempt to dictate
rates to the railroads. / could no more
tell how much It costs the railroads to
carry my goods a mile than they could
how much IL costs to make q yard of
my goods. To hx rates so as to meet
the special conditions of business can
be done only by the man who handles
the traffic.
II think that any Government inter-
ference in rate-malxing Is decidedly un-
wise. Moreover, am opposed to CEN
tralization of power in any way and
that is what fixing rates by Govern
ment Commission means. A man APP
pointed through political influence, as
these Commissioners would be- would
know about as much about making
rates as / do of running q menagerie.
believe the railroads are entitled to
q fair income on their investments. I
have no kick coming.
"As an instance of the readiness of
the roads to cooperate with the manu-
faturer, / may mention that most OF
the cotton machinery Is made In New
England, and that the railroads give a
very good rate on all such machinery.