The Richmond Virginian. (Richmond, Va.) 1910-1920, 1913-04-30
RAILROADS REJECT
STATES PROPOSAL
NORTH CAROLINA CONFERENCE ON
FREIGHT RATES COMES TO
NOTHING.
GO TO LEGISLATURE
SPECIAL SESSION, WHICH MEETS
SHORTLY is EXPECTED TO
TAKE UP MATTER.
% TO LEGISLATURE

Especial to The Richmond Virginian.)
RALEIGH. n. c.. April 29.--With
the leading interstate railroads well
represented here at the third confer
ence with the governor and State leg
islattve commission in an attempt to
reach satisfactory settlement of the
freight rate dispute. long pending,
the railroads rejected the States
counter proposition made two weeks
ago after the State had refused to ac-
cept the proposal of the railways and
no conclusion was reached. Tonight
no satisfactory settlement appears to
be in sight
General Counsel J. Norment Pow
ell acted as spokesman for the rail-
way people today instead of General
Counsel Thorn, of the Southern rail-
way, who acted at the two former
conferences. He declared that the
proposition submitted by the repre-
sentatives of the State at the confer
ence Saturday. April 10th. would
have the effect of revolutionizing the
carrying business not only in North
Carolina. but also in the South, that
It would work irreparable injury to
every railroad doing business in the
South and that 1t would force some Of
these roads into bankruptcy.
Craig Makes Reply.
Governor Craig told the railway
men that President Emmerson, Of
the Atlantic Coast Line. had either
directly indirectly admitted that some
OF the rates were indefensible. The
long and short haul clause came in
Tor discussion at this point, the roads
Contending that they were bound to
comply with the law and that If they
acceeded to the demands Of North
Carolina they would convict them
selves before the interstate commerce
commission
The railroads contended in their
arguments that any readjustment Of
rates along lines suggested by the
state would merely cause the whole
question to be reopened and that
North Carolina could not be in bet
ter relative position than il is at
present.
That is based on the, idea of re-
duCing the local rates from Virginia
/ cities, declared Mr.. Justice, "and
nobody has asked you to do that"
When Mr.. Chaloner said the carriers
have not conceded that the rates are
not proper, a mild storm broke loose,
both Governor Craig and Mr.. Justice
contending that that is just what the
roads did conCede at the conference
here February 26th, Mr. Powell ex-
planned that the roads merely con-
coded that such a view was held in
North Carolina. not that the roads
3
were actuated by disposition TO
make sacrifices in order to meet the
views entertained in this State.
/ Difference of Opinion.
Mr.. Justice explained that Speed
A Miller, of Durham, had told him
that he could ship his goods through
/ Greensboro TO Louisville and to Rich
| mond for one cent less hundred
than he could ship them from Dur
ham to Richmond. but Traffic Mana
ger Green. of the Southern. said this
must be a mistake. At any rate il
was a part of the record, and has yet
20 be refuted.
State Corporation Commissioner
Travis said that minor places would
get lower rates. but these would not
! be general. 1t is not proposed TO al
ter the rates from any point in the
United States to the Virginia cities
but what is asked is only that the
rates from Virginia cities into North
Carolina be lowered
Mr.. Travis said that the railroads
are charging from 80 to 60 per cent
more for the same service in North
Carolina that is given the Virginia
towns over the same roads This IL
Iustrates the enormity of the injus-
uce he declared.
Refuse Both Suggestions.
He asked Mr. Green if the car.
riers would accept the Virginia scale
on the Danville and Charlottesville
division as measure OF the proper.
uonal TO North Carolina points from
Virginia cities. and if the carriers
would not accept this. would they ac-
Cept the North Carolina standa rd
scale less % per cent as a measure
Of the proportional rate from Vir.
ginia cities to North Carolina points
Mr. Green said they would not dc
either.
The extra session of the legislature
viii take the matter up soon, accord
ing to the prospect now.