The farmer and mechanic. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 18??-19??, 1913-06-24
strict enforcement OF this principle IL
We were able to enforce IL strictly.
Would Abolish COmDffition-

strict enforcement OF this principle IL
We were able TO enforce ii strictly.
Would Abolish Competition.
OEe Of the most important results
would be that II would abolish COM
petition in service between carriers. I.
liz well known that there has been no
competition IN rates for years, but the |
competition in service b. remains
with US is beyond all fair question the
most important factor. next TO public
supervision, that makes our transpor- |
tation service toleraole. Wherever
two railroads meet the people OF that
town Or city have competition in ser
vice. through those lines and their
myriad connections. to almost any
railroad point in the country. for the
reason that these ines and their con-
nectiOns are permitted TO make COM
pettlve rates over cIrcuitous routes,
IN competition with shortl ines, with
out prejudice to their intermediate To-
cal rates, and II is no discrimination
against such intermediate points tina
this is permitted. The right to select
his route over competing lines is the
one remedy that the shipper has in
his Owl hands with which to demand
decent treatment and service. There
is competition in service between a
hundred different towns in North Car
| Oline where a rigid application OF the
distance principle would give a mo-
noDOly Of the business TO the short
line to the detriment Of the public
service.
A rigid application OF it could have
no other result, under present condi-
tons than to raise rates to Whining
ton, New Bern, and other cities that
have some concession in rates on &C
count of water competition.
1t would make it impractical for
the railroads to make through rates
for the products Of our factories that
put them in reach Of the markets of
the country, and woul necessarily To-
calize the field in which they could
find a market.
1t would neceesitate the repeal OF
our joint haul statute, which requires
that through rates be made IS per
cent less than local rates over the
same inc
And the chief hope that we have fol-
relief from unequal competition with
the Virginia cities is in getting rates
through those cities on through bust
ness at less rates than the local rates
; So I think it would be a distinct ad-
vancement if We would abandon thu
I agitation for a rigid enforcement O
this principle, and recognize, as tn
. informed sentiment OF the country hal
. recognized, hat it is economical.
). j~ustifiable to make lower rates, within
|, reasonable limits.
F First. To meet potential waite
lcompetition.
Second. To permit circuitous line
to meet shOrt line competition.
Third. To construct through rate
: on a lower basis than combination c
: local rates.
I Speak Softly Bat Garry Big Stick.
Mr.. Dooley was a great philosophe
e before he learned the ways OF al
1uence. One Of his casual remarks t
Mr.. was that it was littl
use to ask a gentleman to do you
e favor unless he could see that you
e club behind your back. In the recer
negotiations the railroads took tn
time to size up our club, and they dc
q cided we didn't have much OF a cln
anyway. And SO they didn't trad
is They found that the State has n
l. right to regulate interstate con
& merce, and that under the FEEDER;
Is constitution his right is securely gi'
} en- to the federal authority, and III
the Supreme Court has within rece1
ic years and recent months been glvlT
the strictest application to this graz
of power. and they had too good q
opinion Of the people Of North Car
=, lima to believe tina we would ina'
gurate an indian warfare or the
;, when they were standing on their
re gal rights, and they failed to see tn
n we had any other club.
The railroads are right in two
+ the conclusions stated. The right
~ regulate interstate commerce as
III absolute right is vested in the FEEDER
ne authority by the constitution, and '
~ had as we'll dismiss from Il min
SIS the idea that our State Legislature,
lls any other State authority, can dri
them into making interstate rat
III that are satisfactory to our State
us We have this right every other Sta
as has it, and it is A peculiar c"hditi
n that you will find in almost CSC
" American State the sentiment III
they are discri. nin.ite.l against in }
O. ter-state freight rates You VIII n
"a plenty Of it cyA1 in Virgins. AnG
ne State authority is recognized to tri
[ly them into making favorable int
state rates the conflicting interests
ne the States would result in chaos in
ter-state transportation and the in:'
MS state carriers would literally &c driN
OF into banxrup ~. When we a abe
- >Ouvn hIc trS