The Dawson news. (Dawson, Ga.) 1889-current, 1909-05-19
Reported That He Did Not Wish
to Openly Oppose the Governor.
COMMISSION EQUALLY DIVIDED

Question Is Largely Up to Chair
man McLendOn for Determination
Political Fight on One Side and {
Legal Fight on the Other May
Follow the Decision.
ATLANTA, Ga.-One of the most
interesting, if not significant, facts
in connection with the port rates
hearing before the railroad commits
sion this week was that former Rail
road Commissioner Fuller E. Gallo
way appeared by letter as a witness
for the defense.
Since it was only letter from the
late commissioner that was read to
the commission comparatively little
attention was given the circumstance
at the moment.
But the fact that he wrote a letter
supporting the position of the rail
roads and the Atlanta Steel Company
in opposition to port rates has led
to some interesting gossip.
1t will be recalled that Commits
sioner Galloway resigned from the
commission on April LIST, after the
commission had received the gov
ernor's letter requesting inyestiga-
ton and action regarding port rates,
but before that letter and the fact
that the port rate question was to
be considered were made public.
Why Galloway Resigned.
1t is now reported that Commits
sioner Galloway was strongly opposed
to the revision of the port rates
which is being urged, and that the
real reason. or one of the foremost
reasons, for his resignation was that
he did not wish officially to oppose
Governor Smith, who appointed him
a member of the commission.
Thus is former Commissioner Cal
laway placed in tie same category
with Chairman s. G. McLendOn, and
it appears that two of the three
commissioners who went into Office
ON the port rates platform along
with Governor Smith practically
turned about upon that proposition.
Commissioner Galloway, seeing
what was coming, rendered his res
ignation Chairman McLendOn is
still at the head of the commission,
where he was placed as the result
of the direction of Governor Smith.
Interesting color is lent to this re-
port by the reading of a letter from
Commissioner Galloway during the
port rates hearing This letter was
rendered in evidence by Attorney J.
Carroll Payne, representing the At
lanta Steel Company, which is op-
posing the reduction asked on
special iron.
Referred to progressive Railroads"
In this letter Commissioner Gala
way stated that the more pro-
gressive railroads" of the south had
adopted a policy of charging a lower
rate on cotton mill products moving
from the south to the east than in
the opposite direction, for the pur-
pose OF encouraging the cotton manu-
featuring industry in the southern
states. He called attention to the
fact that the rate from LaGrange.
where he is at the head of several
large mills, to New York is only So
cents per hundred, as against SIS
cents from New York to LAGRANGE
Mr.. Callaway's letter was written in
evident approval Of this rate condi-
ton, which is precisely similar to
the rates existing between the ports
and Atlanta.
The attributing Of Commissioner
CaliaWay's resignation to his port
rate attitude in part, if not wholly,
has been accompanied by speculation
as to the attitude of the railroad
commission on the port rate ques-
ton.
Commission About Evenly Divided.
The general belief is that except
ing the chairman the four other men,
bers Of the cOmmiss on are evenly
divided Gossip has it that Commits
sioners H. W. Hill and Q. B. Stevens
are against the port rate theory,
while Commissioners George HilIyer
and c. NJ. Gambler are expected to
vote for them. These are the rem
resentatives of two elements on the
commission, though it is in no sense
doubted that their views are perfect
ly honest and sincere, however they
may vote.
The reason for this conclusion is
that Mr.. HIIl was a member Of the
old railroad commission when port
rates were formerly under considera.
ton and denied, and Mr.. Stevens
came in also about that time by ap-
pointment by Governor Terrell. Or
the other hand both Judge HillyeI
and Mr.. Gambler are appointees oil
Governor Smiths, Judge Hillyer hav,
ing since been elected by the people
for a full term. And there is nc
question about Governor Smiths porr
rate attitude.
VIII Depend Upon McLcndon.
In the event that this summins
up Of the situation IS correct The
final outcome Of the port rate prob
lem, as at present under considera
ton, will depend upon Chairman S