Atlanta semi-weekly journal. (Atlanta, Ga.) 1898-1920, 1916-08-22
AGENTS OF RAILROADS
CANVASSING SHIPPERS
FOR INCREASED RATES
Fact That Some Have Been
Persuaded Not to Object Is
Made to Appear as Argu-
ment in Favor of Increases

One OF the most interesting develop
nents in the hearing by the railroad
commission OF the petition Of the rail-
roads OF Georgia for a general increase
in Georgia intrastate freight rates.
which hearing was commenced last
Thursday morning. is the fact that the
railroads have sent their agents over
the state TO solicit Endorsements of the
proposed increases from shippers in
small towns
This fact was brought TO light yes
terdsy by an attempt. on the part of the
railroads. TO make the absence of pro-
tests from these shippers. thus inter-
viewed by the agents Of the railroads.
appear as a reason why the commission
should allow the railroads TO charge the
increases they propose
Randall Clifton. assistant freight
traffic manager of the Southern rail-
road. was on the witness stand, testify
ing in support OF the railroads petition.
Merrill Galloway. chief counsel for the
railroads. asked him what he could state
with regard to the sentiment of ship
pers over the state concerning the pro-
posed new rates
In reply to this typewriter question,
Mr. Clifton read a typewritten answer
TO the effect that "a careful canvass of
sentiment a. AldlOAANE VI cAApPAn6
points enables me to say that the peo-
pie show a lack Of interest in or oppo-
sition TO the proposed revision"
w A. wimbish. chief counsel for the
Georgia Shippers association, which
represents the shipping interests of the
entire state and which is resisting the
increases proposed by the railroads. i'm
mediately objected to Mr.. Clifton giving
any such testimony.
LAWYERS IN HOT CLASH.
How can the absence Of a protest
from any group or class Of shippers
whose only information was furnished
them by agents OF the railroads, have
any bearing on the reasonableness or
unreasonableness OF the rates which the
railroads propose2' demanded Attorney
Wimbish-
Attorney Galloway replied that where
all shippers are affected and where only
a few object, then il is logical to sup
pose that the proposed increases will not
work a general injury.
Attorney Wimbish came backswith the
proposition -hat the reasonabIeness~ of
the rates proposed by the railroads is
a question 20 be determined by the rail-
road commission. which is the body Gre
ated by law for that purpose.
At this point Railroad Commissioner
Perry put in this question:
What is the source OF your infOrma-
ton. Mr.. Clifton. regarding the atti-
tude OF shippers TO which Mr.. Clifton
replied:
Ny information is based on inter
views I have had and on reports Of re-
spOnsible representatives who gave the
people the facts" 10 which Commits
sioner Perry inquired:
Did you and your representatives
present the proposed revision as a
scheme to remove discrimination, which
you claim exist. or did you tell them
that the proposed new rates will in
crease your revenue. which believe
you admir-
AS TO the representatives all the
roads. cannot state positively what
they told the shippers" said Mr.. Clifton.
hut know that the representatives of
the Southern railroad had instructions
10 explain to the shippers why the ad
vances are proposed"
COMMISSION CONFERS.
At this point Commissioner Gambler.
chairman OF the commission, observed:
The question raised. as I see it, is
whether or not Mr.. Clifton can testify
as 10 the state Of public opinion toward
the proposed new rates. 1 think the
commission had better confer on that
question"
While they were comforting. and be-
fore they had reached a decision. Attor-
ney Galloway. asking leave TO interrupt
said:
1T was not in the back of my mind,
your honors. to attempt to bring popu-
lar opinion TO bear upon your judgment
in this case But since my question and
Mr. CliftOn's answer have been given
that color, or the semblance of that col
or, I would like TO withdraw the ques-
tion and the answer from the record"
This was agreeable. and the question
and the answer were withdrawn.
Although the hearing has been under
way only three days. already the issues
Of the case. which is the most important
and far-reaching rate case ever tried In
Georgia or any other southern state, are
taking definite form.
The railroads contend that their pro-
posed revision of Georgia intrastate
freight rates is made necessary by the
fact that interstate freight rates in. the
southeast were readjusted on January /,
and that Georgia rates must conform to
these new southeastern rates.
THE SHIPPERS ISSUE.
Here the shippers raised two ques-
tons.
First. is the proposed revision OF
Georgia interstate freight rates pri-
martly intended 10 make Georgia rates
conform 70 the new southeastern rates7
OF.
Second is the uroposed revision of