The farmer and mechanic. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 18??-19??, 1913-11-18
Freight Rate Discrimination.

Freight Rate Discrimination.
In the same interview. MIR Thorn
said that there was mo discrimination
whatever IN freight rates against
North CAROLINA" Yet when Mr. jas
tce asked him neither y carload
from Louisville, Kentucky 10 Gr.ruN~
horo was not charged Slta freight
while a carload from Lou sSeIne naSs~
ing through Greensboro and going nn
To L~ynchburg was not charged for The
entire trip sci. hc admitted teat ihls
Was 50.
II Is not for me to re- onciie these
statements That dufy devolves upon
those who made them. Bot II Their.
has not been An enormous and almost
universal discrimination against North
Carolina IN freight rates The News
and Observer. which printed daily for
several months itemized statements -
such determinations from reputable
shippers, has misled the public most
grossly
" To the Lobby.
When President Wilson charged me
existence Of an "~insiduous lobby al
Washington 1t was vetementiy denied.
But II was investigated and proven
and by that means alone was the pas
sage of the tariff bill by the senate
made certain. There are those no
believe that there Was no lobby in
Raleigh at the special session. There
are many who are satisfied that they
know TO the contrary. 4 few years
ago when the Seaboard Railroad was
being re~organiZcd and accounts OF the
receivers were being passed upon.
there Was an item of s., 0ee paid To
one lawyer. the voucher stating that
this amount was paid equally by three
railroads. The presiding judge asked
how Ii was that the three great rail
roads should have employed a lawyer
. Jointly and he was told that II was
payment for 90 days lobbying by
that one man in the Legislature Of
North Carolina. There are men acCcS.
sible who have seen the voucher and
. heard the explanation given. TIL.
\ same party was present ut the last
special session and was as attentive To
the as usual. This Is but one
q OF a large number of lobbyists. whose
r faces and occupations are as well rec
: ognized in Raleigh during the session
q as the MEMBERS OF the Legislature.
8 The disease known as Lobbyists
( may be better described as Legislative
3 leprosy.' The railroads and allied IN
terests have no money except what
hey receive, or AXE from the people.
Whatever is paid for lobbyists and for
n other illegal purposes must come out
O Of excessive rates. Thus we are beat
s en- over the head with our own stick.
G Serving Two Masters.
Moreover there sat in the last Legs.
lature. as there has in every one FOL
. many years past, men who were re.
Z ceiving daily a larger payment prob
e ably from the railroads han they
were receiving from the State. And =
larger number who drew their mile
age from the State treasury while HAY.
ing their transportation given then
free by the railroads.. These gentle
men may think that in this vital con
trOversy between our people and IN
railroads they can do impartial jus
tice. There is an old book in which
: one who spoke with authority sait
e NO man can serve two Masters.
These gentlemen will one and all dem
% that there is any improperly in thei
y conduct. If SO the best test Of wha
they feel is that they will have no ner
vousness whatever in having his piaa
~ statement made and will cheerful,
d give their names and the amount
they received from the railroads.
y This is not a party question for tn
= railroads are Indifferent rs ~ tina.
~ Nor is il a question that can com
before the courts. pay freight lib
y every one else, and IL Is not ruprope
~ for me TO say that ! am opposed TO be
D ing v~er-charged and discriminate
IL gains and 1 feel a wider interest !
er seeing the people Of my State free
from the long injustice which IA
TO been done them in this matter.
tie WALTER CT
N