The times dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1903-1914, 1908-03-16
much FEELING
IN RATE FIGHT
North Carolina Merchants Coun-
termand Orders-Lynchburg
Lays Down.
CHAMBER WILL ACT TO-DAY
Inland Committee to Determine
Future Procedure in Norfolk
and Western Suit.
CHAMBER WILL ACT TO-DAY


Acting on the erroneous assu,nption
.nut virginia cities are endeavorihg 10
prevent the reduction or freight rates
from the West to Winston salem and
Dufham, number OF North Carolina
merchants have countermanded orders
heretofore placed with dealers in this
State. thus emphasizing the purpose OF
resolutions recently passed by COM
mercial organizations severely criticiz-
ing wholesale houses and jobbers OF
this section.
Following this evidence of disap-
prevail, the Lynciburg Board OF Trade
has formally announced that IL Will
take no further part in the suit of the
North Carolina Corporation Commission
against the Norfolk and Western Rail-
way. The original protest was due to
the fact that Lynchburg and Roanoke
enjoyed cheaper rate than Winston
Salem and Durham, all those towns be-
ing reached by the Norfolk and West
ern system.
virginia cities Filed Briefs.
Other Virginia cities, through their
commercial bodies, asked leave of the
Interstate Commerce Commission to
submit briefs setting forth the Vir-
GINA end of the controversy, the idea
being TO give moral support to Lynch
burg and Roanoke, without attempting
to perpetuatc discrimination against
the Carolina points.
Because Of this unexpected move on
the part of the Lynchburg Board OF
Trade. the inland COMMITTEES OF the
Richmond Chamber OF Commerce Will
hold meeting at noon to-day to dis
cuss the situation and to present tho
Richmond side of the case intelligently
and without bias.
Clements to Hear Evidence.
Interstate Commerce Commissioner
Clements will conduct at Raleigh on
March 2Tth an inquiry. which VIII be-
the most important of Its KIND ever
held in the South. lnasmuch as COM
plete read1ustment of rates VIII follow
any order compelling the Norfolk and
Western to give Winston Salem aud
Durham the same tariff as that which
applies to Lynchburg and Roanoke.
Other North Carolina cities. however.
win enter a protest unless the South
ern. the Seaboard and the Atlantic
Coast Line put them on an equal foot
ing. In the event that these roads are
forced to cut rates. the North Caro-
lima jobber will control practically all
the business. thus eliminating from
this field the more extensive trade
centres OF Virginia.
Think Case VIII Fall Through.
Satisfied apparently. that present
freight traffic department OF the Nor
folk and Western suggested to the
Corporation Commission that II appeal
direct to the Federal rate making body.
The companys contention was that
Winston-Salem and Durham were To-
Gated at the extreme end of two spur
lines. one reaching out from Roanoke
and the other from Lynchburs. II was
claimed by the road that 1t was I'M
reasonable to suppose that Richmond
and Norfolk. for instance which have
water transportation. should be put
on a basis with two smaller towns
which depend upon branch lines for
freight traffic. Although they natural
~ desire the cheapest rate possible,
there are many business men in North
Carolina who frankly express the opn-
ion that when the facts are presented
to Commissioner Clements the case will
be thrown out.
Position Not Understood.
ITO my mind" said shipper yes
terday. "it is unfortunate that our
North Carolina friends should misun-
derstand our position. None of us are
trying to deprive Winston Salem and
Durham of lower rate. We do con-
tend. however, that Richmond and
Norfolk in particular should enjoy
more liberal tariff than inland towns.
located on branch lines. The question
of water competition, long ago estab-
lished by the government, is too deep
rooted to be disturbed, and it is
question, moreover, which ought to be
clearly understood Although we are
not hostile to other cities. II is fncon-
ceivabie that we should urge the adop-
ton of rates which would deprive
Richmond OF the right of trading in
the Carolinas and Georgia. The con-
cession demanded by Winston-Salem
and Durham. IL made to apply to all
Carolina cities, would give Carolina
jobbers complete monopoly. Just as
1t would seriously restrict our oppor-
tunities for expansion. Sentiment
plays very small part in business to-
day. Richmond stands with New York
and Baltimore in the matter of rates.
yet Notwithstanding that we could not
enter State where prices and freight
charges have enabled us to sell"