The county record. [volume] (Kingstree, S.C.) 1885-1975, 1921-05-12

| the eastern markets nave become so
acute that the agricultural committee
Of the Charleston Chamber of Com
merce feels constrained to approach
our representatives in congress with
view Of securing their cooperation
in bringing about a reduction in the
freight rates on vegetables from the
Charleston district to eastern cities.
A comparison of the rates in effect
in 1914 with the rates at present in
effect from the Charleston district
shows the following:
81 shall not quote it all, but just a
few of the figures to indicate what
disastrous effects these rates are hav-
ing not only upon the producers but
upon consumers of these articles.
"This shows the rates from Charles
ton to New York and Philadelphia, as
follows: Cabbage in standard barrels
or barrel crates-in 1914 the rate per
carload lot was 46 cents; in 1921 it
was 76k cents. In less than carload
lots the rate in 1914 was 4s cents and
in 1921 it was 80 cents.
"On potatoes in standard barrels or
in sacks the carload lot rate in 1914
was 291s cents; in 1921 it was 49,,
cents. In less than carload lots in
1914 it was 81 cents and in 1921, 52h
cents.
"For vegetables not otherwise spec
flied, per bushel box, basket, or crate,
the carload lot rate in 1914 was 80
cents, and in 1921 it was so cents.
In less than carload lots, in 1914 it
was 32 cents, and in 1921 it was 531s
cents.
vegetables per standard barrel, Or
barrel crate, the carload lot rate in
1914 was 81 cents, and in 1921, 95k
cents. The less than carload lot rate
in 1914 was 81 cents, and in 1921 it
was S1.O2.
"Mr. President, there was a meet
ing this morning of farmers, repre-
senting every district in the United
States, calling the attention of the
Chief executive to the freight condi-
tions which exist in this country, and
jte very wisely told them that the
whole economic system at the present
time was out of joint, and he prom
ised to do all that was in his power to
see that something might be- done to
relieve the situation.
"The reason I am calling attention
to this just at this time, is because
consider the first thing essential to
bring about a restoration of anything
like prosperity is for US to address
ourselves to this question of transpor-
tation. 1t is needless for me to state
that with the prices Of farm products
far below the cost OF production, with
wages being reduced throughout the
country, except in certain places, with
everything seeking lower level,
these rates have been maintained as
high as, or higher than, they were
during the period of the war. They
sa Y that the railroads are going rap
idly into the hands Of receivers and
into bankruptcy, and one of the prime
causes is that the rates are so high
as to be prohibitory and people can
not do business. 1t is analogous to
the situation brought about by the
tax on oleomargarine, which lis so
high that the article cannot find a
market and, of course, the producers
suffer.
"I understand there is to be a thor
ough investigation of the railroad
conditions by the interstate COM
merce committee, and l wanted Sen
ators to be informed specifically OF
information such as l have given
them this afternoon, showing that $50
was charged for hauling carload Oh
pulpwood 13 miles, and for 19 miles
s14O, and 100 per cent. raise in the
rate of vegetables from the semi-trop.
ical and temperate zone or section OF
our country to the nearby eastern
cities.
$50 that one of the prime reasons
for the high cost of living is the diff
ference between the low cost OF pro-
duction and the high cost OF trans
portation which is pouring into the
railroads. It is true they are carry
ing less, and perhaps the return Is
less. But, as far as the shipper Is
concerned, il means bankruptcy Tor
him or prohibition of mis- entire busl-
ness"
Call For Bids.
Notice is hereby given that the