The Dawson news. (Dawson, Ga.) 1889-current, 1914-04-21
NECESSITIES HIT HARD
nv THE PROPOSED INCREASE IN
GEORGIA EXPRESS RATES.
Emit Growers, Truck Men and Fish
Dealers Present Protests to Geor-
rio Railroad Commission.

ATLANTA. Ga.-Necessaries OF
rfa are hard hit in the proposed new
exnress rate revisions OF the Georgia
uoiIroad commission as worked out
nv Rate Expert Webster, if the testi-
monv of fish dealers, fruit growers
.rrct gardeners and shippers as pre-
scented today is accuratc.
The Georgia commission has been
ENGAGED in a study of express rates,
With view of revising rules and
rates, for more than two years. Mr..
Webster has made a wide study OF
tbe matter, visiting various states to
socure data and compiling matter
from many sources. Some time ago
he practically completed his work
and promulgated new rules and new
schedule of express rates applicable
within the state.
This was widely distributed among
commercial bodies and individuals
throughout the state, with the state
ment that a public hearing would be
given on the question April IA, at
which time both shippers and the ex-
press company would be heard from.
Some % persons were present when
the case came up. Many of these
were fruit growers and vegetable pro-
ducers. while Savannah sent several
as representative of its fish dealers
association. C. J. Haden, president
of the Georgia Chamber of Com
merce, was present to guard the in
terests of fruit growers and truck
gardeners.
Rates on Fish Increase.
One of the most interesting state
ments made was by Mr.. Sullivan OF
Savannah in behalf of the fish deal
ers' association of that city, which is
the principal fish and oyster mart of
the state. Mr.. Sullivan said that I'M
der the proposed new schedules fish
and oyster express rates would be in
creased from % to 70 per cent.
This simply spells ruin to large
and important industry" he said.
There is now a close margin on fish
and oysters in bulk, and if the cost
of shipping is increased 20 to 73 per
cent it will mean the wiping out of
the business in Savannah. Hundreds
of people are dependent on the bus
mess in one way or the other for a
livelihood, and these proposed rates
mean they must go elsewhere, seek
other kinds of employment or be up
against it," Savannah is a clearing
house for fish and oysters supplied
from the Virginia and
Carolina coasts.
with the present narrow margin
n the business the increased rates
mean that it must be added to the
cost for the purchaser, with the result
hat the consumer in the end is the
real sufferer. 1t will add materially
o existing prices for all classes of
ish, from that of the rich mans shad |
% the poor mans mullet-and that
S where the shoe will pinch hardest,
.oo-and the consumer will pay. We
10 not want nor do we ask anything |
but why not put the in
,reases on something that does not
'orm such a necessary part of thous-
lnds of Georgians' food?"
Colonel /. C. Wade, president of |
he horticultural association, acted as |
pokesman for the fruit growers. Col. |
Wade said that it would add to the
.ost of shipping peaches and similar
ruits % to so per cent under the
new schedules. He said he |
cit that the commission could not
.fford to thus seriously cripple a |
arge and growing industry in Geor- !
ia, and that the increases as ind1- |
ated would be a heavy blow to the
ruit growing industry generally.
A similar opinion was expressed by