Atlanta semi-weekly journal. (Atlanta, Ga.) 1898-1920, 1909-06-25

| ments. 1t is that the high freight rates
from the ports should be sustained be-
cause they increase the selling price in
Georgia of certain commodities manufac-
tured in the state. and thereby enable
manufacturers to increase their profits
This argument applies to very few facto-
ries. Ind the state cannot be enriched by
high freight rates intended to make
protective freight tariff for few fac
tories at the expense of buyers.
i Why should many people be required to
,paysmoFe than fair price for what they
have carried by railroads to help few
manufacturers grow rich? ".-f
Take an as illustration cotton ties.
Should all the farmers OF the state pay
more for their ties, to help make profits
for one plant In Georgia which manufac-
lures cotton ties, especially when that
plant does not manufacture one-tenth of
the cotton ties used In the state?
The action OF the railroad commission
on the 18th instant in declining any re-
duction in rates from the ports on the
commodities then under consideration was
great disappointment. Messrs. Gambler
and Hillyer ably supported reductions, but
the three other commissioners decided
against them. My confidence in the JUS
tice of lower port rates is not shaken.
They must eventually be forced by the
10 the great DencIlL OF Inc
people of the state.
INCREASED RATES FROM THE
WEST.
In the fall of 1908 the railroad compa-
MES increased the rates from western
points into. Georgia. I promptly called
this fact to the attention of the commits
sion, and urged the commission to bring
1t to the attention of the interstate COM
merce commission, that the increase of
rates might be forbidden. The Georgia
railroad commission, after some delay,
condemned the increased rates, and in
structed action before the interstate COM
merce commission.
The city of Cincinnati, also affected by
this increase OF rates, has Joined in the
fight before the interstate commerce COM
mission, l confidently believe the in
crease of rates referred to will be set
aside, and ii is entirely probable that
rates even lower than those put into eff
feet before the increase last fall will be
given to our state. For the part Georgia
takes in this fight. our people are indebt-
ed to Commissioners Hillyer, Hill and
Galloway.
ABOLlsHING CONVICT LEASE SYS-
TEN
Among the important questions before
the last legislature was the disposition
or felony and misdemeanor convicts A
bill upon this subject had passed the
house at the second session, and was
pending before the senate. Under this bill
another lease of convicts would have
been inevitable.
1t was apparent that the senate could
not, with proper elaboration. consider
this question. and also dispose of the 9TH
er legislation before it. l, therefore, urg-
ed upon the senate the advisability OF
postponing action upon the convict ques-
ton, and Of leaving 1t for an extra ses-
sion. The senate took this course and I
called the extra session.
At the extra session a bill was passed
which has resulted in putting an end
to the convict lease system, which had
been forced upon the state Immediately
after the war, In part by a provisional
government, and in part. by legislature
controlled by a Republican majority.
1t gives me pleasure to officially no.
tify you that under the act passed last
fall, all the convicts except the women,
the inhrm men and Juveniles. are now
at work upon the public roads of the
state.
EXTENSIVE GOOD ROADS MOVE
. MENT.
As result of placing the convicts upon
the public roads an enthusiasm has been
aroused throughout the entire state for
good roads.
1 cannot too strongly express my con-
viction OF the blessings that may come
to our people from good roads. Georgia
depends in great part upon agriculture
for the prosperity of her people. Good
roads will remove the isolation Of rural
life. They will help social life and place
schools. churches and county sites in
close touch with the farmers. They will
lessen the expense of private transporta-
ton. They will help to build the state
materially and add immensely to the hap
piness of the people.
CHANGE MANAGEMENT OF CON-
vICTS.
There are features of the bill which
are not in the most desirable form. With