Jackson County journal. (Sylva, N.C.) 19??-19??, 1913-03-28
at Company Is en-
the State.

Sa5a On the subject of the Vir-
SIND Cities rates from the West.
IL is most important to have a
clear understanding regarding the
CONDITIONS that have led to the
estaDIlshment of the Virginia
Cities rates. l shall refer to, this
matter only so far as may be nee
essary to make clear the respon-
slb1llty for the establishment of
those rates."
Mr.. Finley pointed out that nri.
70 the time when the roads operatir
through North Caroliua began to cor
pete for Virginia Cities business. tt
rates on that business had been esta
nshed by lines which did not touc
North Carolina. He showed that tt
roads making these rates traverse
more densely populated regions an
have greater density of traffic ths
the lines in the South, and said:
The fact that some of the lines
operating through North Carolina
nave competed for the Virginia
Cities business at the rates estah.
Hshed by these other companies.
out at a ma-gin of profit at which
they could not affo~d to carry all
OF their business, does not. in any
way, make them responsible for
the Virginia Cities rates.
1t IS nov well known, how
ever, that conferences have been
In progress between representa-
tlVes OF the State of North Caro-
Ina and the railways in an effort
70 reach an understanding on
questions as TO the effect of the
Virginia Cities rates On points in
North Carolina. The railways, in
deIerence to the sentiment of the
people of the State on the sub
Ject and not because they consid-
er the carrying OF such business
at present tariff rates economi-
caliy unsound, have offered. in
connection with o proposed ad-
Justment, now in process CT being
worked out between the State and
the railways, to withdraw from
the business from the West to
the Virginia Cities through North
Carolina. 1t is also proposed that
the effect Of the Virginia Cities
rates on points in North Carolina
shall be considered in conference
IN an effort to reach an agree
ment as to reasonable adjust
ments which may be put into effect
through an order of the Inter-
state Commerce Commission.
will not burden you this evening
with other features of the CON
ferences between the State and
the railways. It is my most earn
est nope that the negotiations.
mus entered upon, may result in
removing every ground of con-
troveTsy between the people of
North Carolina and the RAILWAYS
on this subject. -
1T would, believe, be most nm
fortunate if the people Of anv
State and the railways. which arc
SO important to their progress and
development, should become in
vowed in controversy on cues
tlons OF railway charges. Much
the better plan, in my opinion, is
that Of meeting in conference. Tn
such conference all matters at
issue should, in a spirit of fair
ness On both sides, be discussed
In all their economic relations
and every effort should be made
TO arrive at an amicable agree
ment that will work substantial
Justice. | believe that, if after
full and free conference in which
all facts and arguments present
ed shall have been considered in
a spirit of reciprocal fairness anv
questions remain as to which
agreements can not be reached.
they should be submitted to those
tribunals which have been con-
stituted by the laws of the LAID
IUf tnelr aQJudlcatIOn"
States Great Progress.
referring to the dependence of pro
lotion upon highways to market. Mr.
lnley said it was not mere accident
lat the progress of North Carolina
recent years had been co-incident
ltn the development of more eff
ent transportation agencies. Re-
ewing the splendid achievements of
e people of North Carolina as shown
United States Census figures, he
lmmed up the agricultural progress
the State by showing that the total
llue of farm prosperity in the State
creased from $233,S34,6 93 in 1900 to
37,716,210 in 1910, an increase Of