Pine Bluff daily graphic., 1905-09-14

Capt. J. B. Johnson, secretary of the
hoard of trade, President S. c. Alex
ander. Jr., of the same organization
p. P. Byrd, E. G.. Howell and J. w
Wilkins have returned from Little
Rock, where they attended a meeting
| of the Arkansas railway commission
Wednesday at a hearing cn the cotton
compress question. Pine Bluff won in
her contention that cotton be per-
mitted to pass another compress to
come to this point.
The commission refused to change
the present cotton tariff or to amend
it's rules so that cotton might be ship,
ped by compress. The rules We're
! amended to such an extent, however,
tnat by agreement between the rail-
roads and shippers cotton can be shin
ped to any compress desired. but in
the absence of any such agreement
1t must be pressed at the first COM
press in transit
The decision was announced after
the matter had been thoroughly dis
cussed. and seemed to meet with the
approval of most of the cotton and
railroad men present.
The commission adopted the resolu-
tion presented by Commissioner Hud.
gins requiring the railroads to furnish
the commission with list of all free
and reduced rate transportation iss,,-
ed during the current year. This res.
olutlon was presented at the last
meeting. but action was POSTPONED I'm.
til yesterday, in order TO give tho
other commissioners time to consider
the matter. The object of the resolu.
tlon Is to determine just what inf1u.
ence the railroads might bring to bear
py the issuance of free or reduced
rate transportation.
number of important mattors
were taken UP by the commission hut
action on most of them was nest.
pened. The chief interest conferred in
Tie proposal to make fiat rate on
coteon between all points in the state
IN connection with the proposa, to
amend the rules to permit the shin.
ping OF cotton by congresses. The
notice that this matter would be dis.
posed of resulted in the largest attend
ance OF railroad men and shippers
tilat mas been known for some time
Inc number of interested parties was
so large that the commission hold ite
meeting in the circuit court room at
the courthouse. The docket was the
heaviest that the commission has ever
mad at single meeting and the sos
sion did not end until O'Clock last
night.
Cotton Rates Matter Aroued.
WHEN the matter of Gotten rates
was brought up number of petitions
Ior and against the proposition wera
presented, and arguments wero ,,,o
seh'ed by both sides. The sentiment
seemed to be strongly against the
making of flat rate, and representa-
s VI camden. which had presented
petition for this rate asked permis.
s1on 10 withdraw it. P. P. Byrd Of
a"e Bluff, who had presented the
S' petition. asking for an amend
-.'eht TO the rules permitting the shin
A"ent OF cotton past congresses a1so
aSAeo leave to withdraw his petition
:" response to questions from Com.
ssioner Hudgins, Mr.. Byrd stated
.nat ne did this because he had como
" 'ne conclusion that under the nres.
th. % 'u'es cotton could be shipped in
Judge Hudgins declared that. mas
'on as Mr.. Byrd had called attention
- tne TACT that there might he some
misunderstanding about the ;n+orn.o
.a''on OF the rules, the latter shon1d |
oe construed definitely by the commis
s'on TO mean what has been tbonoht :
t,n,o ~ W 'ueir meaning up to the present.
.,ne' and this idea was carried ont ~
'ne ruling by the commission thai oot I
.on must be pressed at the first com
press unless there is an express agree
. Leu 10 the contrary between thoI
sn1pper and the railroads.
The commission yesterdaiy .,.o
up the proposal to apply the stando.s s
Instance tariff between all noints ~
ene st. Louis. Iron Mountain .nd
southern railroad. the Arkansas ans
louisiana railroad, the Pine Bluff .nd
n nes'ern railroad, the Ell Dorado and
bastrop railroad. the Little Rock aas