Goldsboro weekly argus. [volume] (Goldsboro, N.C.) 1885-1909, 1908-01-23


elimination so largely against the
small roads as to most seriously affect
and injure them, and, therefore, de-
mandS relief.
Determinations.
One of the most serious complaints
LOW existing against railroads is the
made by them against
the cities and towns of North Caro-
lima in favor of like cities and towns
in other States, notably Virginia, by
J sason of which jobbers and whole
{ ale merchants in Virginia can under
ell the same class of merchants in
orth Carolina. The cause of this is
lie rate given by the Norfolk and
EEestern and Chesapeake and Ohio
railroads to Roanoke, Lynchburg and
Richmond, being the same rate given
to Norfolk. Va, on account of it's wa
ter-rate competition. To meet the rate
of the railroads above named, the
Southern, the Coast Line and Sea-
board railroads had to give the same
rate, and SO haul freight through
North Carolina to Virginia cities for
a less amount than they haul to the
cities Of North Carolina; and often
our shippers can better pay the
through rate to the Virginia point,
plus the local rate back to the North
Carolina point, than pay the through
rate in the first instance to the North
Carolina point. This can and should
be corrected. The Corporation Com
mission has now Instituted proceedings
before the Interstate Commerce Com
mission against the Norfolk and Wes-
tern Railroad for discriminating in
favor Of Lynchburg and Roanoke, Va,
on it's line, over Durham and Winston,
N. c., also on its line. There can be
no defense made for this unjust diff
ference, and we feel assured that the
Interstate Commerce Commission will
correct the discrimination as to these
points in North Carolina When the
Norfolk and Western is thus forced
to adjust the rates for these two cities
in North Carolina, competition will
compel the other railroad systems to
give the same rates to these points,
and then they will be compelled to
give them to other North Carolina cit
les, else there will be discrimination
between points in North Carolina,
which is forbidden by law. Hence, we
confidently believe that this suit and
similar ones will entirely correct any
unjust discrimination against North
Carolina shippers, jobbers and mer-
chants This being an interstate ques-
ton, it can only be reached through
sci
and, in order that these suits may
be successfully pushed to an early
hearing and termination, I respectful
1y ask that a sum not exceeding $5,-
900 be appropriated for carrying on
an investigation fraught with so much
benefit to our people. At the last ses-
sion bill making this appropriation
passed one house and two readings
in the other, but in some way failed
to become a law.
other Important Matters.
When I called the extra session,
with the advice of the Council of
State, only one object was consider
ed, and that was the rate question.
Other purposes, however, than those
which convened you to consider will
doubtless be brought before you: and
if, in your wisdom and after the most
mature and wise deliberation, you de-
eide to enact other legislation than
that embraced in my call, there are
two matters, imperative in their ma
ture, to which I would most respect
fully call your attention.
Better Court Facilities.