The Robesonian. [volume] (Lumberton, N.C.) 1870-current, 1918-04-01
TO SOLVE THE FREIGHT
RATE PROBLEM FOR N. c

| of Entry and Rate Basing Ports
Also Wants Southport Made Big
Coaling Station.
The Greater North Carolina con-
vention held in Fayetteville last We'd
nesday formed a Greater North Caro-
lima association with Col. S. A. Jones
Of Waynesville, president, and D. S.
Hollenga of Fayetteville secretary
treasurer, called upon President Viii
son to proclaim Fayetteville, Whining
ton and Southport ports of entry and
rate-basing, urged Secretary Daniels
to make Southport or some other site
a coaling station and President Viii
son and Postmaster General Burleson
to route all mail to eastern South
American, West Indian and southern
European points through Wilmington
These calls upon the powers that
be were made in resolutions introduce
Il The meeting was not largely attend
ed, but Col. Jones prophesies that il
will be epochal.
The following resolutions were
| passed:
Cape Fear Ports of Entry.
"ResolVeG, that whereas this nation
is in a most stupendous and grievous
war, and that this convention has been
called to secure the Improvement OF
transportation facilities, for the pro
lection of the nation and TO secure
more economical freight rates, via raj
and via water, for handling the ma
tons commerce, supplies and mum
tons of war; and,
"Whereas, the government has tax.
en- control of the operation Of che raj
and water transportation facilities OF
the nation; and
"Whereas, government control car.
ries the right to make freight rate.
by land, by water and by sea, domes-
tic and foreign, and to direct the ship
ments of commerce, domestic and for
eign, over the shortest rail routs te
tide-water, and over the most direct
water routes, to it's destination, do
nestle and foreign; and,
"Whereas, the State of North Caro-
lima, with one of the greatest sea
ports on the South Atlantic coast, has
suffered the loss of many millions Of
dollars per annum for years because
the long railroad lines, with the long
hauls across the State, have persist:
entity refused to make through rail and
water rates from Wilmington and
the Cape Fear river ports, to the mar
kets of the world; and,
"Whereas, the State Legislature OF
4 North Carolina and Of other States
carrying many millions OF popula-
ton have, by joint resolution to Con-
gress, passed by their various Leg
islatures, asked Congress to make
NY. Of q
rate basing port;
"Therefore, be it resolved, that the
President of the United States be fur.
nished copy of these resolutions, anc
we most respectfully ask that, as
national and economic war measure
he direct the director-general OF the
railroads of the United States to q
once declare Fayetteville, Whining
ton and Southport harbors ports Of
entry and rate basing ports, thai
through rail and water rates, iron
all points through the United State:
end South America and foreign coun
tries. may be made through thes:
norts for commerce throughout tx
world. :,
"Be it further resolved, that tn;
delegation in Congress from the Sta G
Of North Carolina, are directed, II Il
is requisite, to use their best and eve
nv effort to secure the passage OF any
fnrther law needful to secure ane
maintain this much needed economic
and patriotic national commercial ne
cessity.
"Be it resolved, that whereas the
nation is engaged IN a most sJuPeh
| dOus war; and,
~ "Whereas, it is the duty Of every
State and citizen in every State to &C
I'll that in him lies to economic ane
in every possible way contribute u
the economic prosecution and success
of the American army; and,
"Whereas, the United States IS nov
in control of the railways and ocea1
steamship facilities OF the natlon
and, MA, r,r
Dina. by Joint resolution, and Dy JOIN
resolution of the Legislature OF othel
state having millions of population
have asked as a national necesslt!
and economy, that there be estaphsn
ed a United States naval coallng sla
ton and naval supply station OF
Southport harbor at the mouth OF Tn
Cape Fear river, North Carolina; ana 3
"WhereaS, a JfdHSpol IeaIi W."
that is a national economy IN times 0.
peace erase is doubly so in times Of war ar
Therefore, be it resolved, that TIM
President of the United States be re re-
spectfully requested to direct the sec
, npt If the NAVY, the Honorable 10
g gephas D Daniels ss Of North Carolina
once. in cooperation with the dlre &c
tor-general Of the railroads OF tn
limited States to begin an inquiry mt
tba Construction, equipment and put
t tine 'G in operation as national am
| war economy measure Of naval coal
ing station on Southport i harbor ~ or IA
some equally available place on I'LL
: aBe it further resolved, that tn
delegation in Congress from Mort y TT
Carolina be directed to secure o iio =
ouisite, the enactment OF SUCH leglsla
! ton as will enable the Secretary, Q Q
! the Navy and the directer,generai .
! the railroads Of the United States, 7
carry out the provisions OF this reso