The independent. [volume] (Elizabeth City, N.C.) 1908-1936, 1920-02-13
PROPOSED FREIGHT RATE
INCREASE MEETS PROTEST
Representatives From Every Town on Norfolk
Southern Met in New Bern Wednesday to
Frame Opposition to Freight Advances

Norfolk Southern K. K. and a |
conference Of representatives
from every city affected was
held in New Bern Wednesday,
Feb. II to frame a protest
against the increase.
New Bern. Goldsboro, Washington,
Elizabeth City. Belhaven and in fact
nrsctically every town and city which is
70 h, affected by this increase if it
sbould 60 into effect, had representa-
+i,es at New Bern to discuss the pro-
nosed action of the Norfolk Southern
Railway Company and. the did not
mipce words in stating what they
thought of the matter.
# was pointed out that should the
increase be granted, that it would mean
taking of thousands of dollars annually
from the Eastern part of the State and
that every effort should be made to pre-
vent such an increase being granted.
\ committee was selected to draw up
resolutions and after considerable delib-
Grafton they presented the following
which was unanimously adopted:
The Resolution Adopted
Mr.. C. c. Morris, chairman
We. YOUR committee, after consld-
nring the facts outlined in United States
Railroad Administration Docket A-9O6,
same being proposal to revise and in
crease all class commodity rates IN the
Eastern North Carolina, respectfully re-
commend:
That in accordance with the notlce
signed BY J. :. Raines. district chairman
that our protests should be submitted III
writing not later than 10 a. m. February
18th 1920: that a resolution Volclng our
protests should be filed with this com
mission setting forth certain facts III
support thereof.
THAT a copy of this protestatlon
should be filed with: \. B. Wright chair
man. Southern Freight Traffic Commls
sion. Healey building, Atlanta, Ga; In
terstate Commerce Commission, Wash
ington. D. c.; through its secretary
Geo. &. McGinty.; Hon. Walker u
Hines Director General Railroad. Wash
ington, D. c Governor of North Caroll
na: Corporation Commission OF Nortl
Carolina: Each member of our Congress
sional Delegation, Washington
We further recommend that the, GOV
ernor be requested to make available t
tho business men of Eastern Carolln
the services of Attorney General OF Tn
State.
We further Recommend that counse
he empIoved with instruction to lmme
diatelv start preparation to resist Tn
uronospd revisal of rates and that u
he instructed to exercise all taclhtle
with view of suspending the promulga
tion of the proposed rates with view
having an investigation by the Inter
state Commerce Commission betor
same are established.
THAT meeting requests the asslstanc
of Mr. VI r. Beaman in effort to carr
out these proposals.
We further recommend that the Du'
mess men. especially those at the COZ
ference 60 on record as Delng "lllin
TO testify in proceedings as to actu
commercial conditions as to no" the
various enterprises will be affected {
the proposed readjustment Inls re
ommendation is made in view OF the La
that interstate Commerce Comm1ssit
has repeatedly ruled the most concre
testimony is that offered by the shlppe
I'VE further recommend that wa.
and means should be adopted To-Day
provide for meeting financial requlf
ments for this case.
We further recommend that all SUI
pers and manufacturers of the State
come members of the North Carohl
Traffic Association. we respectAui
emphasize this recommendation uue
the fact that practically every state
the uinon. except North Carollna'
some central organization, owned, op
rated and controlled by shippers, VINO
sole duty iS to exercise watchfulneSs
traffic conditions and has such an orsa
iZation been perfected the interest
fo simmer in this particular procee
jlg would have been protected.
File Written Protest
Following the adoption of these II
buttons a telegram was dlSpatcheu
the Commerce. Commission stating tt
the committee formed in New Bern
sired IN file a written protest agall
the nronosed increase and that Il
world ha forthcoming Immediately. "A
- couu.jttce was appointed to go
Ii;"huond on Feb. 18th and be on ha
jp person when the hearing takes pl'
If was plainly evident to those IN
.ri,lao,n that the people of Eastt
Nprth Carolina are thoroughly arou
pvcr this proposed freight rate lncrea
Ii was pointed out that it Will not
feet the business men in the cities
'iH iDjure the farmers and every
ana thc assistance of the entire pubic
fighting the proposition is asked for'
Boosts Water Transportation
Tie proposed freight increases
given water transportation a deci
boost and has increased interest III
plans of the Virginia. Carolina Nav
tion Co. to establish line OF 1rel
ers on all northeastern North caro-
water courses.