The watchman and southron. [volume] (Sumter, S.C.) 1881-1930, 1910-06-11
RAILWAY ASSOCIATION APPEALS
STATEMENT CONCERNING RATE
ADVANCE ISSUED.
Addressed to Congress. the Rail-
ways, Shippers and the Public OH
Question as to Whether Railroads
are Entitled to General Advance
IN Freight Rates-Speedicst Posi-
bic Decision from Commission De-
sired.


Business Association, which within it's
membership, represents $SOO,0O0 900
of invested capital, which speaks for
group of industries giving employ
ment to 100000 working men, and
upon which 100000 people depend
for support, met here today and at
the close of it's session gave out a
statement in chief as follows, address
ed to Congress, to the railways, to the
shippers and to the public:
THE question of whether the rail-
roads are entitled to a general advance
in freight rates is now before the pub
lie. The merits of individual rates
will come before the Interstate COM
merce commission. During the period
of uncertainty, as to whether rates
filed are reasonable or otherwise, there
will be a disturbance Of industrial
conditions. 1t is, therefore, of the
greatest Importance that the way
shall be cleared for the speediest pos
sible decision by the commission. To
that end the Railroad Business Asso-
citation appeals:
Il. To Congress: That the Presi-
dent Of the United States, having rec
commended a provision governing the
power Of the Interstate commerce
commission over freight charges, such
nrONjSiOn IA
into effect upon it's passage. By this
recommendation Of the President the
power and duties of the Interstate
commerce commission are to be great
ly enlarged and, in the present emer-
gency, it is decreed that the approval
of hundreds of thousands of freight
rates must be given by the com mis-
sion before effectuation. 1t is deem
ed proper, therefore, to urge that
serious attention be given the organ
ization upon which the immense de-
mand for increased output is to be
made. Nothing could be more dis
asterous to the railroads and all the
commerce and industry of our coun-
try than to stake all that is proposed
to be staked upon the commission.
only to find that, with it's organization,
1t cannot do the work within a reason
able time. We urge that such appro-
priation as may be found necessary
be made t. enable the commission to
cope with their increased duties.
'2 To the railways: That they ia
ciitate the work of the commission
by having their schedule so arranged
and the returns therefor so clearly set
forth as to require the least possible
time to comprehend their scope and
bearing, and that the officials of the
railways acquaint the shippers more
fully with the returns for freight ad-
vanceS.
80 To the shippers: That they look
upon the railways precisely as they
would look upon any other concerns
for whose solvency the management,
and not the Government, is RESPONSE
bic. growing concern must have
an adequate revenue. The present
problem involves not merely the
amount which the railway shall re-
ceive for carrying cOnsignments, but
its ability to carry it at all. 1t en-
braces not alone the transportation
efficiency, but general prosperity. We
suggest to the heads of freight pay
ing enterprises that they study this
question at first hand il the broadest
way. BY SO doing they may conclude
that an advance may be for their own
best interest
II To the public: That they frank
ly conccde to the railroads the neces-
sitY for adequate reevnue and await
with patience and good nature the
findings Of the commission as to the
rcasonableness Of proposed rates.
"Thc members of the Railway Bust
ness Association have but recently
emerged from period of closed
shops. the idle mon and disastero
LOSSES due To cessation Of railway pur
rhases. We contemplate with grave
anxiety the pOssibilit! of undue re-
'triction of railway revenues. Ours
Is not the plea of a special interest
whose prosperity we would purchase
at the expense Of other interests or
OF tn" general public. If our pro-
duce is not bought the commerce of
the country cannot bc efficiently car
rlod; If our men are wholly or partly
of the payroll the stoppage of their
outlays communicates itself to mill
ions more who make or sell them
necessities.
'As the basis Of our belief in the