Western Carolina Democrat and French Broad hustler. [volume] (Hendersonville, N.C.) 1913-1915, 1913-11-06
JUST FREIGHT RATE ASSOCIATION
Work OF Organization in Fighting Ex-
cessi1e Rates Reviewed by Governor

was dShou regarding his Opln-
lon OF the accomplishments of the as
and he said that he consid-
eTs that 1t has done a magnificent
work IN the state, and considering the
laot mat II was organized in so short
a time 1t has been o Wonderful eff
Cheney, He attributes this to the fact
that there was a necessity for such an
organization n so when the work
was launched the people of the state
Immediately gave it their hearty CO.
operation. He does not think, how
ever, that there is any necessity at
the present time for the association
to conduct an active campaign for the
reduction of freight rates, as has been
carried on in for immediate past, bur
he believes that the organization,
should be continued.
Governor Craig was then asked for
his opinion rs to just what the peo-
pie OF the state gained through the
agreement reached by the special ses-
sion of the general assembly with the
railways of the state He expressed
himself very freely to the effect that
these reductions amount to a great
deal to the state, and that much more
was gained by this agreement than
could possibly have been gained in
any other manner. He pointed to the
fact that the railroads made conces
sions on all classes of incoming
freight from the territory north of the
Ohio river and west of the Mississippi.
AS to the concessions granted on out
going freight, he referred to the fact
that on furniture shipments to the Pa
ci6c slope and the inter-mountain sec
ton between the Rockies and the
Sierra Nevadas the concessions cover
ed everything that was asked. He
said that a great deal of North Caro-
lima furniture is sold in these sections
now, and that with the reductions the
field is considered an exceedingly
good one. The reduction in freight on
a car of furniture to these western
points under the agreement, amounts
to $12, which he considers no incon-
siderable amount.
He considers also that the agree
ment on a maximum rate on all mer-
chandise shipped out of the state gives
the North Carolina shippers a decided
advantage, and believes that North
North Carolina cities are now placed
on an equality with those of Virginia
and can compete with them with q
show of success.
Accordin gto the agreement, no re-
auctions were made on incoming
freight from the north and east, blu
Governor Craig and the members Of
the corporation commission have he
right to bring suits before the inter-
state commerce commission to secure
these reductions. He will confer with
the members of the commission as to
the advisability of such suits, n it
is likely that they will be Instituted.
If such suits are instituted and %
it will mean that the rates will be
based on Wilmington as a deep water
port, and Governor Craig believes
that the rates will be affected as far
inland as Charlotte.
Relative to these rates from the
north and east, Governor Craig point
ed out that the material benefits to the
people of the stale have been secured
in the reductions from the west, since
| this source comes the heavy supplies,
farming machinery and other heavy
freight on which the reduction in the
! cost of transportation amounts to a
great deal. Reductions on the lighter
| freights from theeast, as on clothing
and like supplies, will prove beneficial
/ he thinks to the dealers, though they
viii not be felt so much by the people
generally. It will mean another fac
tor in favor of the North Carolina
| cities in competition with those of
Virginia.
Pleased With Rate Law.
Governor Craig is especially pleased
with the reductions secured by the
state by the passage of Mr.. Justices
~intrastate law. He says that when
this law goes into effect the Virginia
cities will be "put out of business" in
North Carolina. The new interstate
rates. he says. will put North Carroll
ra cities far ahead of Virginia cities
for an area of at least 40 miles in
ever direction and the business OF
practically the entire state can there
fore be taken care of at home,
These intrastate rates are to go into
effect so days from the date OF the
massage of the bill. but an amendment
TO the bill provides that if the rail-
ways lodge complaints concerning the
new rates the governor is empowered
TO appoint a commission to make
further adjustments. if any are found
necessary on investigation, and to
| SD6 Tic SACSuIIOh VI
=, additional so days. Governor
Craig a y that there has been no IN
timation as yet that the, railways will
make a complaint, and he says turtn-
or that none will be considered II II
appears that it is made with the evil
dent intention of deferring the execu-
ton of the law.
He does not believe that there will
be any trouble about the matter and
~onms confident that at the end OF two
wears, when the ~intrastate law expires,
that rates can be adjusted without
further legislation. He appears to De
quite sanguine over the situation, and
we'll pleased with the accomplish
ments of the special session.
Better Preachers.
The brethren of the west are coming
I right along. We are glad to see
signs of real progress in the assoc1a-