The semi-weekly messenger. [volume] (Wilmington, N.C.) 1897-1908, 1907-11-05
R AILR DAD RATES
VIII Cooperate .p Investigation OF
Facts and Law rs Connected With
Duty OF State tn PalIic and To
Transportation CoIup4sies-isccoS-
ton OF Right OF States Ia Xix Rates
Necessary.

Atlanta, Ga. November Thor
ough cooperation IN methods 10 ne
pursued in the enforcement or laws
railroad passenger fares In
the states OF Georgia, Alabama and
Carolina, was agreed upon to-
at a conference held in TINS city
between the governors of those states.
After a discussion which began at
$50 o'clock this morning n which
lasted until late this afternoon with
but a brief interval for luncheon, the
three chief executives reached an
agreement and the meeting was ad-
jou=ned
In a statement given TO the Associ-
ated Press tonight signed by the three
governors, it is said, that not only
had they arranged to cooperate in
the investigation of facts and law
connected with the duty OF our states
cooperate with other states which
to the public and to transportation
companies but that they would also
have the same problems.
We regard the complete recogni-
ton of the right of states to regulate
the interstate business OF transporta-
ton companies as absolutely neces-
sary,' the statement continues.
TOday'S conference, which was held
at the suggestion of Governor Conner,
OF Alabama, was participated in by
Governors r. B. Glenn. OF North Car
Olina; B. B. Conner, of Alabama, ard
Hoke Smith, of Georgia. w. D. Mes
bit, chairman of the railroad CON-
mission of Alabama, Judge L. D.
Weakley and Colonel H. G. S%elhein:er
special counsel for Alabama, in the
pending rate litigation in that state,
Attorney General John c. Hart and
Special Counsel J. K. Hines, and
Hooper Alexander Of Georgia
The declared object of the meeting
was to reach an agreement if possible
in methods to be pursued in enforcing
the rate laws of the states interested
and also decide on some rate that
would apply to the railroads OF these
states, the rates at present being
widely divergent.
Just what concrete plan was decid-
ed upon was the governors refused %
state, O would they give on any #
the details of the conference beyond
the statement that it was most salts
factory.
The signed statement of the chief
executives is as follows: Our con-
ference has been most satisfactory. We
discussed conditions in our respective
states and We arranged to cooperate
IN the investigation of facts and law
connected with thu duty Of our states
to the public ana to transportation
companies. We regard the complete
recognition of the right of the states
to regulate their interstate business
Of the transportation companies as alb
solutely necessary.
mo injury has been done to any
corporation in either of our states by
the exercise of power of regulation.
Increased business as a consequence
Of reduced rates required by Gus state
authorities has in every case where
fairly tried compensated the corpora
tiOns.
W deplore the fase that rIfsasss
have been in some Instances assaseea
by the efforts of theAu officers % dis
regard the action 81 sr states. Tti.
has happened in every case where Ehey
have made allegations in the courts Of
sensational claims of injury contrary
to the facts.
when the railroad companies cease
their false cry of confiscatiOn and SUP
NIT to the duly constituted authorities
upon which alone rests the right to
determine questions of public conf
n and a restoration of normal cred
its, the authorities of our states are at
all times ready to hear them fully and
to accord to them treatment net alone
just but liberal.
THE details OF our conference we
do not consider d~esira:..e to Lake pub-
lie at this time.
H. 3. Conner, Governor. Alabama.
"R. B. Glenn, Governor of North
Carolina.
"Hoke Smith, Governor of Georgia"