The farmer and mechanic. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 18??-19??, 1913-09-23
SHOULD NOT BE ACCEPTED.

There are conditions attached to the offered reductions
in in;ers state freight rates to North Carolina by the raai
roads which in themselves would forbid the acceptance OF
the latest proposition which has been MADE. Ano these
conditions are outside Of any matter OF actual ngures ol
reduction which, however, should be inspected Win TUG
greatest care.
North Carolina cannot afford TO accept the proposed
reductions with these hedged in by provisos that THESE are
first to be submitted to the Interstate Commerce CoHlins
sion for their adjudication, and that for two years the
State will sit idle without any attempt to have q reckon
ing as to any matters OF freight rate adjustment either
interstate or intra state. Such a promise on the part OF
the State would be a humiiating obeisance to rauroao
domination and should not be entertained.
In their latest offer of freight rate reduction the railroads
are drawing nearer the line Of Justice, and they should 60
the whole way. The reports last night from washington
were that in some matters regarded as Objectionable the
railroads had yielded, but these concessions are not enough
North Carolina has its face set for justice.
The railroads should, if they expect their prohers to be
considered, eliminate propositions which would bind North
Carolina to refrain from any action which might be taken
to secure reductions On intra-state freight charges. Ie
State cannot afford to accept this curtailment OF its rights.
And it must have action On proposed reductions as a mat
ter fixed, in place Of leaving this TO the Interstate Com
merce Commission. The railroads must agree to put into
effect of their own voltion the rates they offer, if they
expect any consideration. And they must know that
North Carolina resents the limitations in their proposals
concerning punitive and r~etaiatory" legislation. North
Carolina will keep strictly within the law and will act only
as is demanded by right in its fight to secure justice for
all parts of the State. Any intimation of a course outside
Of this is an insult to this State. and to its people.
The business men Of North Carolina are to speak out
next Wednesday in mass meeting in Raleigh. They know
the conditions, they know the value Of the offers which are
made. They are the people whose views are to be con-
sidered. It is granted that the railroads are now offering
better rates than presented in their FIRST proposition, but
they tie these up so as to prevent any consideration. And
the business men of North Carolina are the men whose
views are to be given the greatest consideration. The rail
roads are reported to have made concessions in addition to
those in the latest reported offers. These should be taken
into consideration as to what is the best thing to be done
now. But in no event should the State agree to bind itself
to an adjudication Of the proposed rates by the Inter State
Corporation Commission, nor to refrain for two years from
legislation within its power as to freight rates or railroad
control With these requirements from the railroads there
should be q prompt and decisive refusal Of the latest offer
And in preference the State should elect to fight for its
full rights.
> I'VE PREFER PEACE TO WAR, BUT WE PREFER
. WAR TO AN ICNoMINIOUS PEACE"