The semi-weekly messenger., 1908-01-31


the rate on the railroads and report
it's findings to the next legislature
These two points are the keynote
of the compromise. 1t was settled
that the legislature should not fix
the mileage rate, but must depend
upon the honesty of the railroads TO
carry out this part of the compro-
mise.
It was stated that President Fin
ley of the Southern railway, (who is
here) had agreed to have omitted
from the compromise the provisions
leaving the rate matter after one
year to the corporation commission.
One senator declared that Mr.. Fin
ley had been held up" by the legis-
lature and forced to submit to this.
Mr.. Graham replied to this state
ment that he had submitted this
point to the governor who had con-
sented to the concession of this pro-
vision. Mr.. Graham then said he as
sumed the responsibility of having
held up" Mr.. Finley.
Mr. Blair said Governor Glenn's
attorneys were evidently afraid the
cases before the United States su-
preme court would be lost by the
state and for this reason the COM
promise udu Uecu dIduSeu. u6-
clared if the terms of the compro-
mise were ratified the whole state
would rise up and say well DONE
Mr.. Pharr made the main speech
of the day and declared if the COM
promise was agreeable to the rail-
roads, the governor and the counsel
of state, he was sure 1t was entirely
agreeable to the people of North
Carolina and he asserted that there
was unanimity Of sentiment in the
senate as to all the terms except the
one placing the matter in the hands
of the corporation commission at the
end of year.
The republicans took the ground
that the compromise made class
distinction in fixing mileage book
rates at less than the fiat ticket rate,
but they were told the mileage book
provision had been stricken out be-
cause it would not hold water
THE HOUSE.
The session of the house was de-
voted almost entirely to the railway
rate matter, and the public service
corporations committee divided, each
side presenting a bill to fix rates.
The ma iOrity of. the committee sub
mitted a bill giving the corporation
commission no power to fix, change
or enforce the rate law, this being
done SC as 20 prevent the federal
courts from or enjoining the COM
mission, the later not even being al
lowed to publish the rates fixed. This
bill provides for mileage books at 2
cents and for tn" sale of interstate
tickets, good also within the state at
2k cents. Companies which sell
these are not indictable for selling
at rate in excess of 2A cents. The
bill completely covers violations of
the law by the road or any of it's
agents whatever, violation by the lat
ter being proof that it is by direc-
ton of the president, directors, or
passenger transportation heads. This
bill allows lines under 100 miles in
length to charge 3 cents per mile
1t forbids penalty suits by individu-
ais against the railways.
The minority bill relieves roads un-
der 80 miles long from operation of
powers from the corporation cimmis-
sion. This is made special order
for tomorrow.
The house passed unanimously al
most bill recommended by the gov
ernor to prevent trunk lines from
absorbing other competing lines, in
order to prevent the limited taking
over of the Seaboard Air Line and
Norfolk and Southern by other big
roads and parcelling them out. An
important amendment was adopted
to this bill exempting roads under
100 miles in length. This goes to
the senate for concurrence.
In the senate bills passed giving
Richmond county road tax; provid
ing for improvement of streets of
Rockingham. Many acts were rati-
fed, including one making it unlaw-
full t osell liquor in CASTOR county
; enabling Onslow to sell old county
home, and regarding courts of that
county; forbidding sale of liquor in
Richmond county
In the house Messrs. Owens and
Kennedy of Sampson, announced
that they would have voted for pro-
hibition last night had they been pres
ent.
Mr.. Harshaw got leave to intro
duce a bill to give Caldwell more
courts, but every other intending in
troducer was frozen out.
Mr.. Grant, republican, attacked
Governor Glenn's compromise meas
ure, calling it hold up"
Mr.. WinbOrne moved that Mr.
Manning take Mr.. Grant in the rotun-
da and teach him the governors mes
sage.
Bills passed the house to improve
public roads in Smithville township,
Brunswick county; to incorporate
Peachland, Arson county; to require
all counties to bury confederate PEN
sioners.
Mr.. Morton wanted to amend the
bill to prevent railways from merg-
ing or acquiring stock, by including
hotels, ice factories, fertilizer COM
panies and all public utilities, in Or
der to be consistent, but his amend
ment was voted down.