The Brunswick news. [volume] (Brunswick, Ga.) 1906-2016, 1910-07-26
HOkE SMITH ON
THE PORT RATES
WHAT HE SAID ON THIS SUB
JEcT IN LAST MESSAGE TO
LEGISLATURE.

Atlanta, July 25-Former G. YER
nor HoAe Smiths position on port
rates las been misrepresented. ac-
cording TO statements given out at
his cam align headquarters. The
Macon Telegraph, it is stated claims
Mr.. Smith has advocated higher rates
to ports and lower rates from ports
which this paper is quoted as saying
is Mr.. Smiths port rates position.
IN reply to tie Telegraph story the
managers at HOke Smiths headquar-
ters have given out the following eX-
tract from the last annual message
Of G vernon Smith to the legislature
with the improved conditions N
the present year, and with the know 4.
edge OF the real prosperity of the rail-
road companies, brought to the at
tention Of the railroad commission
the Importance of revising port rates
of the state. BY this, l mean revis-
ing the charges for freight transport
tation from all interior points i'll
Georgia to the ports and from the
ports to all interior points in Geor-
gia.
Il have urged that freight rates to
ard from the ports OF Georgia should
be fixed solely apon the basis Of rea-
sonable compensation to the local
carrier, uninduenced ty the interest
Of railroads outside Of the state. If
they can be lowered and still remain
reasonable and just to the local rail
roads, then the shippers are entitled
t. have them made lower. Excessive
rates should not be charged shippers
in Georgia to enrich railroads out
side Of Georgia.
Various arguments have been pre-
scented to meet the demand for lower
freight l2tes to and from the ports
Of the state to interior points of the
state
Il VIII refer to but one of these.
arguments 1t is that the high
freight rates from the ports should
lie sustained because they increase
the selling price in Georgia OF Ger
tain commodities manufactured in the
state, and thereby enable manufact-
urers to increase their profits. This
argument applies to very few factor
les. anr tho state cannot be enriched
by l2h freight rates intended to
maze a protective freight tariff fog. a
few factories at the ex3 ense Of buy
ers.
Why Should many people lie re-
quiled to pay more than fair price
Tor what they have carried by rail
roads 10 help a few manufacturers
grow rich?
Take as an illustration cotton ties.
Should al the farmers Of the state
pay more for their ties, to help make
profits tor one plant in Georgia
which manufacture cotton ties, espec-
tally when that plant does not man
ufactre one tenth Ct the cotton ties
used in The state?
In TIE fall OF 1908 the railroad
com anies increased the rates from
western points into Georgia. l
promptly called this fact to the atten-
tion OF The commission, and urged the
commission t. bring it to the atten-
ticn Of the interstate Commerce Com
mission, that the increase OF rates
miaht be forbidden. The Georgia
railroad commission, after some de,
lay, condemned tie increased rates,
and Instructed action before the In
terstate Commerce Commission.
The city CT Cincinnati, also affect
ed by this increase of rates has point
ed in the fight before the Interstate
Commerce Commission.
y confidently believe that the in
crease of rates referred to, will be
set aside, and it is entirely probable
that rates even lower than those put
into effect tefore the increase last
fall, will be given to our state. For
the part Georgia takes in this fight.
our people are indebted to Commits
| SiOOer HillyQr Hin ond GALLOWAY, ~