The times dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1903-1914, 1913-04-19
BITTER CRITICISM
OF S. A. l.. OFFICIALS
Their Failure to Have Represen-
tative at Conference Declared
Contemptuous of State.
Special to The Times-Dispatch

Especial to The Times Dispatch
Raleigh, y. c.. April lS.-With Gov
ernor Craig declaring that the Sea
board Air Line representation was alb
sent without excuse. and Representa-
tive f. j. Justice. of the Legislative
freight rate commission insisting that
failure of the Seaboard to have repre-
sentation here is nothing short OF con
temptuous to the State and It's COM
mission and to the officials OF the
other railroad companies, all others
interested being represented, the con-
ference for the elimination of freight
rate discrimination against North
noon until noon Saturday, when there
are assurances that the Seaboard Will
have Freight Traffic Manager c. r.
Caps here to participate in the CON
ference. Representatives. OF all the
other railroad companies joined In a
plea to have the rate commission con-
tinue the hearing to Wednesday OF
next week. but the effort, continuing
for over three hours failed. the COM
mission ma king az arbitrary order for
the conference to adjourn to noon
Saturday. and declaring that at that
time the commission will expect to re-
ceive from the railroad companies
definite statement of some basis of
settlement of differences that will re-
lievc North Carolina shippers of the
Determinations now suffered in COM
parison with the Virginia city rates.
General Counsel j. Norment Powell,
of the Carolina. Clinchfeld and Ohio.
explained that the absence OF the Sea-
board representative greatly embar-
rassed the representatives of the other
railroad companies. owing to the
closely interlapping of the freight rate
interests of the roads serving the same
territory and the absolute necessity for
all the railroads to join in wha tevcr
move is made to adjust differences. In
caustic remarks, Mr.. Justice Of the
commission said President Iarahan,
Of the Seaboard. had been most active
i'll the conferences during the session
of the Legislature, but since the Leg
islature adjourned little satisfaction
had been gotten from him or other rep
resentatives of the Seaboard. He had
called President Harahan's office on the
long distance telephone. and after per-
sistent effort had failed to get Mr..
lIarahan to the phone, although he
was evidently in the office.
Mr.. Justice said his correspondence
" it'll the Seaboard had been switched
tween President Harahan, General
Counsel Watts and Freight Traffic Man
ager Capps. The course of the Sea-
board had been contemptuous of the
State the commission and the other
railroads Interested in the negotiations
Finally the legislative commission
the Governor and members of the Cor
poration Commission retired for long
executive session, returning with the
agreement TO adjourn to Saturday noon,
when the railroad men would be eX-
ected to submit a definite basis of
adjustment OF the rates. The state
ment OF this action was made by Judge
Council, of the commission. with sup
Elementary remarks by MIR. Justice and
Governor Craig, indicating the deter
mination Of the commission to push
the negotiations to speedy conclusion.
that it may definitely appear what
chances there are for Il satisfactory
adjustment of rates.