The Richmond Virginian. (Richmond, Va.) 1910-1920, 1913-05-16
FORM ASSOCIATION
/. FOR BETTER RATES
NORTH CAROLINA SHIPPERS MEET
IN RALEIGH TO DISCUSS WAYS
AND MEANS.
ARE MUCH EXERCISED
DO NOT THINK STATE FAIRLY
TREATED BY RAILROADS AND
SEEKING MEANS TO SECURE
BETTER TREATMENT.

Especial to The Richmond virginian.)
RALEIGH, N. c., May l5.-When
the Just Freight Rate association
meeting was called to order this even
ing by Provisional President w. *.
Foreman, of Charlotte, about two
hundred delegates we're present, in
Guiding many Raleigh men, all wear
ing a badge on the lappels OF their
coats inscribed For Just Freight
Rates" The largest delegation from
any town outside of Raleigh came
from Charlotte, where the initial and
temporary organization was formed
one week ago, the permanent organi-
cation of the association being the
main purpose Of the gathering here
today This purpose was duly eff
fected, with Mayor Tate. of High
Point. permanent president. Leake
Carraway was chosen secretary.
Other Places Represented.
Other towns represented on the
delegation included High Point, the
largest furniture manufacturing point
in the South. where the grievance OF
alleged discrimination freight rates
is being agitated with greater activity
than any other town; Winston-Salem.
the plug tobacco manufacturing CEN
ter Of the State: Greensboro, gem
eral merchandise wholesale distribu-
tor; Shelby, Statesville and Hickory.
all on the Southern railway lines;
Rocky Mount and Wilmington, on the
Atlantic Coast Line: several smaller
shipping points on the Seaboard Air
Line, and Durham. the graduated
smoking tobacco and cigarette manu-
featuring center on the Southern.
The principal speeches of the even
ing were by Governor Craig and
Chairman Travis, of the State cor
poration commission. these being fol-
lowed at the night session by various
speeches by men less prominent in
public life.
The sincerity Of the speakers. to
all appearances, was the most marked
feature of the addresses. and some Of
them emphasized the statement that
among the speakers there were mo
politicians. but only men who are In
tensely interested in the subject from
an economic standpoint, with fair
ness and justice as the text of their
arguments
Wait Upon Governor.
A delegation, which formally wait
ed upon the governor. assured him
that this new organization had no
purpose Of amalgamating with any
other organization, but that 1t hoped
1t could and would cooperate in the
supreme effort OF accomplishing the
ends they all desire. and apparently
are determined upon, through some
effective method.
The chairman OF the corporation
commission today expressed the opin-
ion that the carriers are making sim
cere efforts to reach an agreement
that will be satisfactory to the ship
pers Whether they will be willing
to satisfy the demands OF the ship
pers. chairman Travis could not say.
but he said he would not approve
anything that did not correct the
abuses OF which North Carolina ship
pers complain.
Opinions differed as to what could
be done in the circumstances, but
there was no variance as TO the
necessity for some action.
The Just Freight Rate association
sprang into existence after the car
riers declined TO make an arrange
ment whereby the shippers thought
the rate situation might be improved,
Directed by and composed of men of
unusual intelligence, and ability. who
nave IdCSd AoI SCdtS IL s'hpAttVA e''A~
Is making competition with Virginia
cities harder and harder. the associa-
ton Is organized for the purpose of
getting results.
Much Interest Manifested.
Much interest was manifested IN
the address of Chairman Travis, of
the corporation commission. and the
shippers await with interest the re-
suit of the negotiations by Chairman
Travis at the Washington conference
with the railroads, when he asked
that the State and the carriers get
face to face so that they might reach
a basis He believed in facing tho
situation squarely, he said. rather than
submitting propositions and counter
propositions. II Is now inferred from
his attitude that he assumed this posi-
ton in Washington this week. and
many carriers yet hope for mutually
satisfactory results.
The night session was prolonged to
a late hour and was largely taken
up with earnest exchange of views
between the delegates in the effort to
agree upon concerted action in the
near future.
The governor Is being strongly
urged to assemble the Legislature In
extraordinary session within the next
thirty days to take the subject in
hand. and the prospects of an early
extra session arc believed to be- en-
tirely favorable.