The watchman and southron. [volume] (Sumter, S.C.) 1881-1930, 1909-10-09
RATES DISCUSSED.
Railroad Officials Appeal to Commits
sioner Not to Make Reduction as
Planned-Alleged Discrimination
in Rates.

The Railroad Commission held a
very important meeting Tuesday.
The Importance of the meeting was
in measure indicated by the large
attendance of railway men. The
meeting was called for the purpose of
discussing the matter of fertilizer
rates. The railroads feel that the
proposed reduction in the fertilizer
rates will mean much to their reve-
nues and the cut in rates is uncalled
for; that 1t will do the farmers no
good, and that while they are making
many arrangements they might be
spared the reduction.
The railroad authorities; figure that
the reductions that have been made
In fertilizer rates mean a cut Of about
IL or IA per cent. The commission
does not think the cut is so serious.
The commission promulgated a cir
cular, which was to have gone into
effect in Sept. Is. The railroads re-
garded the reductions as so serious
and were so much interested in the
proposed reduction that they asked
for rehearing. This was granted,
and that was the occasion for the
gathering and arguments Tuesday.
The fullest sort of publicity was
given. The commission wants to ge,
all possible information and is apx-
ious to do the right thing in the prem.
ises. The railroads regard the reduc-
ton In fertilizer rates. If made, with
such concern that they took much
more than usual pains. Generally
matters discussed before the commits.
sion are talked over in an offhand
way. But the Importance of the is
sue was emphasized by the care with
which the arguments they presented
were prepared. Those favoring the
reduction in rates have a circular out
standing. Tuesday the railroad folks
had their inning to show why the
proposed rates should not be made
effective, and II remains for the com.
mission to work out the problem af-
ter considering both sides. The argu-
inents on the part of the representa-
tives we're presented with the utmost
care.
Mr.. A. w. Anderson, general super
intendent Of the Charleston & West.
ern Carolina railway. who is prac
tical man and who understands the
railroad business from one end to tn.
other and has felt where the shn.
pinchcs. made strong appeal to In.
commission to let we'll enough alone
and not reduce the rates at this time.
The commission took the whole.
matter under advisement at the con-
clusion of the various arguments. The
decision in the case will be announced
later. ..
The position taken by those who
wished the fertilizer rates lowered
was that no new facts had been
brought outaat the hearing and that
the decision of the commission pre-.
viously made and announced should
stand
senator Weston stated in his brief
informal argument that South Caro-
lima was being Disseminated against
In the matter Of fertilizer rates and
that this was what his side contend
ca tor-a reduction in the rates to
make them in line with the rates
chow. to exist in some of the other
= 2teS.
The commission having issued thc
order, Senator Weston claimed th
should stand unless some new matte,
had been brought out. which he con-
send'd had not heen the case.
He repudiated the insult to the
senate" that the body was bought,
calling this a 'gratuitous insult"
Mr.. Weston intimated that something
like Statewide fertilizer factory
might &c the result of rates he claim
ed were discriminatory, although he
hoped the farmers would not be
made to do this.
Representative w. w. Dixon made
a brief argument along the same
lines claiming discrimination against
the State in the rates. ~"
Senator Alan Johnstone also argu-
ed that unless new facts had been
brought to the attention Of the COM
mission. their former decision should
not be changed.
PERRY AND DORM FINED.