The farmer and mechanic. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 18??-19??, 1913-09-30
FOR A RAILROAD COMMISSIONER
If the Matchmaking Power Is Left In the Hands of The
Corporation Commission, AS at Present Constituted,
Then the Meeting Of the Legislature Was Unneces.
sary."
BY {. {. DANIELS.

hoA TIC RAILROADS. are collecting
from the people of North Carolina
several million dollars more than the
PEOPLE Of other states pay for the
same service, is admitted.
That this extortion is on both inter
states and ~intrastate business. the
smallest amount OF intelligent inves-
tgation will show.
That this extortion would con-
tinue indefinitely. but for the insist
ent demand Of Governor Craig and
the persistent and unremitting efforts
OF the legislative committee Of Jus
tee ouncil and Broughton. and
the intelligent work OF the lust
Freight Rate Association is a fact
that will no be disputed.
This Corporation Commission could
nave remedied the evil, so far as in
erstate rates are COncerned-but il
has done nothing in h way Of low
er1nS lntraState rates. It's members
snow absolutely no desire to meet
the needs Of the hour by reducing
rates on interstate business. They
oHer instead, steamboat lines and
conferences with the railroads. They
endorse. unqualiiedly. a proposition
that ties the hands OF the State so
as to prevent it from exercising its
ooNNA % POWCI vi TWO tcdIS-Wnen
the railroads proposition is SO full o.
holes that they can drive a two-horse
team through it.
The man who expects relief through
Mr.. Travis and the Corporation Com
mission-judged by the acts Of thu
commission-has another hin
coming"
If h question Of relief to tn.
5 people is left in the hands Of tn
; Corporation Commission, there viii
come no relief.
{, The legislature is to meet for tn
purpose Of dealing with this question
What shall be done? What legisla
ton shall be enacted?
The legislature take out of tn
hands of the Corporation Commits
sion all power to regulate tax or con
troll public service corporations.
Provide for the appointment by tn
: governor of one commissioned c
public service corporation to whOr
t should be given control Of all mat
ters effectins public service corpors
tons. Give the governor authorit
to appoint and to remove such CON
missioner at his discretion, withol
: notice or without giving his reason
therefor. Secure the best man the
Il the governor can select for the pee
d pl.
; If some n like Judge 3.
Long, OF Hon. E. K. Preston was 81
lected for this place results for TT
p people would be secured.
1T is a condition not a theory tn;
e confronts u.s." Nobody desires
/ reflect on the Corporation Commit
s. sion but the people want results
they have had enough.
~ The Corporation Commission h;
had the power to reduce intrasta
re rates, so as to minimiSe the injusti'
done our people.
y 1t has not exercised that power.
u We must have a commission
IN who will exercise for the benefit
G. the people the power the commissit
has and such as the legislature W
OF give. The Corporation Cimmissi'
s believes that intrastate rates now
t force in North Carolina are as 10
as they should be.
oe If we get any reduction on intr
:, state rates, we must get them fro
3. some commissioner who believ
OF that the present rates are too hie
IL If the rate making power is Il
al in the hands OF the Corporation Coz
mission as at present constitute
then the meeting of the legislatu
was unnecessary n a useless g
L pense.
Wilson. n. c., Sept. %.