Carolina watchman. [volume] (Salisbury, N.C.) 1871-1937, 1913-03-12
OLD NORTH STATE
F|NLEYS THEME
RELATION OF SOUTHERN RAIL.
WAY COMPANY TO NORTH
CAROLINA.
FREIGHT RATES DISCUSSED
President Of Southern Railway Com
pany Guest Of Goldsboro Chamber
Of Commerce at First Annual
Banquet.

Goldsboro, N. C.-President Finley
Of the Southern Railway Company
who was one Of the speakers at q
banquet given Friday evening by the
Geldsboro Chamber of Commerce
spoke on 'The State of North Caro-
Hna," with special reference to the
relations Of the Southern Railway
Company to the State and what the
management of that Company is en-
deavoring to do for the State.
Mr.. Finley said that he proposed to
speak In the profound conviction that
the interests of the State will best be
promoted by policies that are best for
the interests Of the people and for
the interests of the railways: He
said:
"A great deal has recently been
said on the subject of the Vir-
ginia Cities rates from the West.
It II most important to have
clear understanding regarding the
conditions that have led to the
establishment of the Virginia
Cities rates. I shall refer to this
matter only so far as may be nec-
essary to make clear the respon-
sibility for the establishment Of
those rates."
Mr.. Finley pointed out that, prior
to the time when the roads operating
through North Carolina began to com
pete for Virginia Cities business, the
rates on that business had been estab
lished by lines which did not touch
North Carolina. He showed that the
roads making these rates traversed
more densely populated regions and
have q greater density of traffic than
the lines ia the South, and said:
The fact that some OF the lines
operating through North Carolina
have competed for the Virginia
Cities business ut the rates estab-
hshed by these other companies,
but at a margin of profit at which
they could not afford to carry all
Of their business. does not, in any
way, make them responsible for
the Virginia Cities rates.
1T is now well known, how
ever, that conferences have been
in progress between representa-
tives Of the State of North Caro-
lima and the railways in an effort
to reach an understanding on
questions as to the effect Of the
Virginia Cities rates on points in
North Carolina. The railways. in
Difference to the sentiment of the
people of the State on the sub
tect and not because they consid-
or the carrying of such business
1T present tariff rates econom1-
cally unsound, have offered, In
connection with a proposed ad-
tustment, now in process Of being
worked out between the State and
the railways, to withdraw from
the business from the West to
the Virginia Cities through North
Carolina. It IL also proposed that
the effect Of the Virginia Cities
rates on points in North Carolina
shall be considered in conference
In an effort to reach an agree
ment as to reasonable adjust
nents which may be put into effect
through an order Of the Inter-
state Commerce Commission. I
Will net burden you this evening
with other features Of the con-
ferences between the State and
the railways. 1t is my most earn
est hope that the negotiations,
thus entered upon, may result in
removing every ground Of con-
troversy between the people Of
North Carolina and the railways
On this subject.
1T would, believe, be most un-
fortunate II the people Of any
State and the railways, which are
70 important to their progress and
development, should become in
volved in controversy on ques-
tons Of railway charges. Much
the better plan, in my opinion, is
that Of meeting in conference. In
such q conference all matters at
issue should, in spirit of fair
ness on both sides, be discussed
in all their economic relations
and every effort should be made
to arrive at an amicAble agree
ment that Will work substantial
Justice. I believe that, If after
full and free conference in which
all facts and arguments present
ed shall have been considered in
a spirit Of reciprocal fairness, any
questions remain as to which
agreements can not be reached,
they should be submitted to those
tribunals which have been con-
stituted by the laws of the land
for their adjudication"
States Great Progress.
Referring to the dependence Of pro
duction upon highways to market, Mr.
Finley said 1t was not mere acciden
that the progress of North Caroline
in recent years had been co-inciden
With tie development of more eff
e6not transportation agencies. Re