The Grenada sentinel. [volume] (Grenada, Miss.) 1868-1955, 1907-12-14

lature To enact stringent laws coIcern-
ing the corporations, it is the absolute
disregard of the roads to treat fairly
with individual shippers, or in other
words, the man who makes only a few
shipments zach year and is not in q po'
sition to know What the rate on his
shipments is. This has been forcibly
brought to the mind of the writer dur
ing the present year by the trial
at enforcement of the rate on Mis-
sissippi made syrup as ordered by the
Railroad Commission. Early in the year
a rate on this syrup was fixed at ~
cents per hundred pounds from any one
point in the State to any other point,
provided that it was not necessary to go
outside the State in reaching its des-
tination. The only exception to this
rule was i'm the case where it was neces-
sary to use two or more roads in ship
ping. Each road is entitled to a mini
mum charge of 25 cents on any shlpme't
so that if only one hundred pounds went
over two roads the charge would be 81
cents. or three roads IS cents. On the
other hand, if the shipment was 400
pounds the rate would be 22 cents per
hundred. divided between two or three
roads. allowing each their share, which
would be more than 25 cents. 1t has
been a fearful task to get the roads to
instruct their agents as TO this rate.
Producers have been charged the Old
rate right along despite the attempts to
enforce the new rate. This has been
the case at Centerville, McComb City,
Magnolia, Mcneil, Starkville and other
points too. numerous to mention.
Then what recourse is there for the
man who has been overcharged? HIS
is a small matter and he can't afford
to employ a lawyer to collect a claim
of a few cents or possibly a few dollars.
This applies to merchants and others
alike. Some remedial legislation is
needed here. Our people are deserving
of protection. The roads have their
regular lawyers employed by the year
and the individual who desires his rights
is at a great disadvantage. This has
been going along for years, then
would it be surprising that If, in at
tempting to remedy this the Legislature
might pass a law that roads would deem
stringent and freakish? The roads ig-
more the regulations of the commission
as well as the rules of classification to
an alarming extent with the small ship
pers. and something should be lone Tor
their protection.
The commission is preparing a card
to tack in all depots, giving the rates IN
Mississippi products for the
of shippers, and if the roads can be
forced to keep these notices before the
public the trouble will be relieved to
some extent. The card reads as follows:
"The rates from this station cannot
exceed to any station in Mississippi:
"On native grown hay in car lots, IL
cents per hundred pounds. Minimum
car. 10000 pounds.
"On native grown corn, IN car iots'
IS cents per hundred pounds. Minimum
ear, $4,000 pounds.
sOn native grown sweet potatoes, any
quantity, 25 cents per hundred pounds
'On native grown molasses, any guam
titv. % cents per hundred pounds.
"On native field peas, any quantity,
IS cents per hundred pounds.
minimum charge of 25 cents for each
road handling a shipment is allowed.
BILLS of lading must state that pro-
duets are native grown in order to
secure these rates."
1t is to be hoped that this will to a
laroe extent relieve the trouble being
experienced in getting the rate on Mis-
sissippi grown products orderd oy, the
Railroad Commission n accepted by
the roads.
Now that the Mississippi Legislature
is to convene in regular session within
a few DAYS, the question naturally arises
as to the probable legislation by that
body. Will it be for the best interests
of the State or detrimental to the best
interests of our people? Will it be OF
the safe and sane kind or wild and I'M
stable? Will the members be prompted
bv a desire to enact just and equitable
laws, or by a spirit of revenge for past
disregard of the rights of the people!
Will the body be recklessly extravaganza
in appropriations or penurious to q
point that will hinder the legitimate
development of our resources?
The writer is personally acquainted
with a majority of the members of both
branches of the new lawmaking body,
and feels safe in saying that it is well
above the average, composed largely
of safe men, who will do what they
deem best after a careful consideration
of the matters to come before them. The
measure of benefit will no doubt fare
well at their hands and those without
merit as they deserve. Mississippi is
still safe and only those with a selfish
interest are uneasy about what the ucxt
| T or;c1ofuro will do.