The Columbia herald. [volume] (Columbia, Tenn.) 18??-1935, 1907-11-08
GOVERNORS ON
RATE QUESTION
EXECUTIVE or GEORGIA. ALA
aAMA AND NORTH CAROLINA
HOLD CONFERENCE.
UNIFORM FARES FOR ALL STATES
VIII co-ouerats FOR The Enforee"s"'
Of Laws.-Issss state
nent.

ATLANTA Ga. Nov. Thorough
co-operation in methods to be parsned
An the enforcement OF laws regulating
railroad passenger fares In the states
=, Georgia. Alabama and North Caro-
lima was agreed upon today at con-
ference held in this city between the
Governors of those States; After q
discussion, which began at $3.50 TINS
roorning and lasted until late this al
ternoon with but brief interval TOT
luncheon. the three Chief Executives
,aacbed an agreement and the meet
ing was adjourned.
In a statment given to the Assocla'
ted Press tonight, signed by the three
Governors. It is said that not only had
tbev arranged to cooperate in the
investigation of facts and law con-
nected with the duty of our states 10
4he nublic and to transportation com
panies,' but that they would also Co
operate with other States which have
the same problems.
1--WE regard the complete recogni'
tion of the right OF the States 10 reg
Mate the intrastate business OF trans
portation companies as absolutely
necessary" the statment continues.
Today's conference, which was held
at the suggestion of Gov, Conner, OF
Alabama. was participated in by Cows
r. B. Glenn. of North Carolina; B. b.
Conner. of Alabama, and Hoke Smith
of Georgia; w. d. Nesbitt. member OF
the Railroad Commission OF Alabama;
Judge LID. weakley and Col. H. g.
Selheimer. special counsel for Ala
hama in the pending rate litigation In
that State; Attorney General John G.
Hart and Special Counsel j. X. Hines
and Hooper Alexander. Of Georgia.
The declared object of the meeting
was to reach an agreement, II posi-
HE, on methods to be pursued in en-
forcing the rate laws of the States in
terested. and also to decide on some
rate that would apply to the railroads
of those States, the rates at present
being widely divergent.
inst what concrete plan was decided
upon the Governors refused to state,
nor would they give out any OF the
details of the conference, beyond the
statement that 1t was most satisfac-
tory
The signed statement of the Chief
Executive is as follows:
..Our conference has been most sat
Isfactory. We discussed conditions in
our respective States and we arranged
to cooperate In the investigation Of
facts and laws connected with the
duty of our States to the public and
to transportation companies. We will
also cooperate with other States
which have the same problems. We
regard the complete recognition OF
the right of the States to regulate the
intrastate business of transportation
companies as absolutely necessary.
mo injury has been done toany cor
noration in either of our States by
the exercise of the power of regula-
ton. Increased business as conse'
quence OF reduced rates required by
orr state authorities has in every
case. where fairly tried, compensated
the corporations
I'VE deplore the fact that railroad
S.ornorations have In some instances
been damaged by the efforts OF their
Officers to disregard the action of our
states. This has happened In every
case where they have made allega-
tions in the courts Of sensational
claims Of injury contrary to the facts
when the railroad companies cease
their false cry of confscation and sub
nit TO the duly constituted authorities,
upon whom alone rests the right to
determine questions of public policy
the railroad companies may expect
a rapid return of public confidence
and a restoration of normal credits
The authorities of our States are at
all times ready to hear from the rail-
road companies fully and to accord to
them treatment not alone just but lib
eral.
Y THE details OF our conference we
do not consider II desirable to make
public at this time.
"B. B. Conner, Governor Of Alabama
.'R. B. GLENN. Governor Of North
Carolina.
choke SMITH. Governor of Georgia