The farmer and mechanic. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 18??-19??, 1909-01-26
pauROADS WANT RATE OURS
TION RE-OPENED.

The legislature of 1907 is mt
ab,a for the long fight to reduce rali-
road passenger rates. There came 10
Raleigh more special cars OF mdS-
mates and experts than had so hon
ored the capital of North Cafolha.
At first they made Fourth of July ad-
dresses Astounding with love Tor the
flag and deep solicitude for the glorl-
Gus people of North Carolina. 1t was
only when Speaker Justice, ana
Chairman Manning n others sought
to elicit facts and figures tina they
did not respond with glow and en-
thusiasm. After the Legislature had
done its duty and returned home, the
Southern Railway, which takes the
lead in political affairs and in getting
injunctionS while YOU wait from Fed
eral courts. defied the State law and.
sought to annul the acts of the Cen
eral Assembly. The history Of the
conflict and the adjustment of the
matter by the Governor and approved
at the special session of the General
Assembly is familiar to everybody.
The Legislature, in order to end the
dispute, yielded to a rate too high on
some roads. The railroads agreed to
the rate and it was generally supposed
that the passenger rate question was
settled for a period. That general
OPINION was mus expressed DN poNGI-
nor Kitchin in his inaugural address
| when he said:
The last legislature reduced pas
seneer fares. The rates now in force
which say thousands of dollars an
nually to the people from the I'D
rates, have been approved by the rail-
roads as just and reasonable. Condi-
ions Justify us in anticipating no
agitation for any change in PASSENGER
fares during the term of the incoming
administration
1t seems that in the letter to the
Governor, President Finley did not
accept the rate ike as more than a
one year trial. which will terminate
in April. Therefore last week, at the
request of Vice President Andrews. of
the Southern, Governor kitchin
agreed to meet representatives of
various railroads to discuss railroad
matters. The result of the conference
yesterday discloses the fact that the
railroads wish the matter re-opencd
so that the Corporation Commission
may increase the rates if n reports
they will present in April show the
present rates not to be remuneratiVe
The Governor and other officials
heard the two hours of argument BY
the railroad officials and agreed to
give a further hearing on the thirtiath
of January.
The news that the railroads are
moving to secure a re-Opening of this
question Will be heard with distinct
regret not only by people who favored
the reduction but by those who did
not favor it. The settlement was q
falr and d Just one. 1t was made on
the basis of the sworn report Of the
railroads, leaving earnings of much
over SIX per cent. upon the true value
or he property. The freight rates
are high and Interstate rates discrim-
mating against North Carolina pu
exorbltant prices from his State into
the Golfers of the railroads that do ar
interstate business. The passenger
rates are higher than in Northern
states OF like population and travel
and the railroads should not wish q
return to the discussion and debate
that marked the session of the Legis.
latnre OF 1907. If they are well ad.
Vlsed. when they return on the 3Otl
or they will tell the Cover
nor that they are determined to abid,
by the rates for the coming two Years
they Will end the trouble of compell
ing holders of mileage to be ex
hange for tickets, will %voluntariI,
END the determinations against Mort
carolina practised on Interstate shin
ments. and will agree to an era o
good feeling by accepting the compro
mise as settling the matter.