The Bamberg herald. [volume] (Bamberg, S.C.) 1891-1972, 1907-09-05

enforcing the reduction of rates on
the lines of petitioner in the state Of
Georgia. A large mass of papers were
submitted to sustain the contention
that the enforced reduction of rates
would amount to confscation Of the
business of the company. Judge Shell
by took the application under advise
ment.
The newly organized railroad COM
mission of Georgia Friday afternoon
declined to interfere with circular No.
334, reducing the passenger rates on
a majority of the railroads Of Geor-ss
gia. The body stated that it did not
see fit to Interfere with the order
of the old board, organized by Govern
Or Terrell, and of which ex-Commis-,
sioner Joseph NJ. Brown was mem.
ber, and it was ordered to stand
Thus the action of the former board
becomes the action of the present COM
mission.
The order declining to extend fur.
ther time in which the roads might
be heard in argument on their side
of the case was read to the assem-
bled railroad representatives, who had
been before the commission all day
except for a thirty-minute conferences
of the commission, prior to its an
nouncement, promptly at o'clock.
In making the announcement, Chair
man McLendon said: Gentlemen, the
commission has heard with patience
and pleasure your remarks as to why
there should be delay in having
circular No. 334 to go into effect, and
direct me, as their chairman, to make
to you the following statement:
"The records of the commission
show that the petition which resulted
in order 334 was filed March 2, 1907.
and after notice was considered on
at least two different occasions, and;
at these hearings every road in the
state affected by said circular was CIV
en- a full opportunity to be heard, and
was heard as fully as the roads de-
sired to be heard.
Circular No. 334 was issued and
promulgated on June Z, 1907, to be-
come effective September 2, 1907. An
application for it's reconsideration was
Informally made by the reads in the,
| first three classes on August q, 1907,
and the whole of that day was given
| to the arguments submitted by the
roads. The commission offered to de-
vote the entire time from August 2T
to August 80, inclusive, to hearing.
of any evidence Or arguments which
the railroads might present.
Having devoted the entire day OF
August 80. 1907, to the separate hear.
| ing from each one of the roads ep-
braced in classes A, B and c, during
which hearing the merits Of the whole
question were gone into and consid-
cred. and no sufficient reason having
been shown therefor, this commission
declines to interfere with circular SS4.
''By order of the board:
IS. G. McLENDON, Chairman.
GEO. F. MONTGOMERY, sec'y."
At the conclusion Mr.. McLendon
said: IF, after these rates have been
put into operation in good faith, you
find that they are working an injus-
tice upon you, the law gives you the
right to come before the commission
and make such complaint as you see
fit. This commission sits as court
/ without terms. We are constantly in
session. and the law gives you the
same right of appeal as shipper or
private individual.
That is all. The commission has
spoken through the order read"
In silence the railroad men filed out
Not a word was spoken until Vice
President Winburn of the Central
said: Thank you, Mr.. Chairman" An
othar official right behind him said:l