Americus times-recorder. [volume] (Americus, Ga.) 1891-current, 1922-07-06
ALLCITIES TOGO
ON SAME BASIS,
ASSERTS PERRY
Railroad Commissioner, Here For
Odd Fellows Picnic, Makes
Interesting Statements


question has been answered in one
way by one person and in another
by others. But there has long been
one advantage that some other cities
have enjoyed over Americus with
which most people were not familiar
Preferential railroad rates. Thishas
amounted to commercial discrimi-
nation against Americus, in that To-
cal manufacturers and wholesalers
were not able to compete on an
equal basis with nearby firms in the
same line. 1t also has meant that
investors, in looking for favorable
manufacturing or wholesale sites in
this territory, passed up Americus for
other cities in numerous instances,
because it was to their interest to do
so.
But now all that is to be changed.
Americas and all other Georgia cities,
large and small are to be placed on
the same basis Sept. /, that basis
being mileage of haul. This an
nouncement was made in Americas
Thursday by j. A. Perry, of the Geor-
gia Railroad commission, who chanc-
ed to be here as grand master of
Odd Fellows of Georgia, to make an
address at the annual picnic of the
local Odd Fellow and Rebakahs at
Myrtle Springs While Mr.. Perry
was asked a number of questions re-
garding rates and commission activi-
ties, the most important facc devel-
oped from his being that con-
ccrning a new basis of rates. Said
he:
Determination Ended.
"The impression that has gained
considerable headway that state com
missions have been shorn Of much
of their power in rate matters is to
large extent gross error. AS a mat
ter of fact the Georgia commission
has spent more time on public hear
ings concerning freight rates within
the last IL months than for any pc
riod of time in the history of the
commission. The Georgia commits
sion has worked out an order which
is to become effective on September
l that provides for a general read
) justment of all freight rates in the
| state. The order has for it's purpose
| primarily the elimination of the base
point system. Since the beginning of
railroad building in Georgia We have
| had a few preferential rate points
at the expense and handicap of ali
other shipping points in the state.
This increased until at the present
4 time there are some 35 shipping
centers in Georgia enjoying prefer
ential freight rates against approx
mately 2,l00 shipping points that are
suffering handicap on account OF
| such preference. In the order re
fcrred to this has been done away
with and a mileage scale provided
! for, whereby on the same class rail
road for the same distance every
shipping point in Georgia will pay
the same rate OF freight"
! Local Gas Rates.
MI. Perry was asked concerning
the local rate situation, it being re-
called that the Americus Lighting
/ company was one of those concerns
IN Georgia cited under the commits
sIon's rule nisi to make a showing
why its rates should not be reduced.
/ He stated that no order had vet been
| returned by the commission in the
Americas case, although it had been
considered several times, the small
consumption of gas here having made
It impossible for the board yet to find
1t possible under the law and in lust
ice to all to order reduction in
rates here, although this has been
, done elsewhere where consumption
is larger.
HAS the fact that the local city
officials have not been able to make
much Of showing in regard to To-
cal utility rates had any considera-
! Bile effect on the decisions of the
commission as to rates in Americus?"
Mr.. Perry was asked.
Absolutely none,' he replied
Unfortunately there is IN impress
sion in some sections of Georgia that
the commission when the questions
of rates and service are beiny con-
sidered that such community suffers
or is liable to from lack of such rep
/ resentation. There is no such thing
as judgment by default before the
commission. 1t is the duty, and the
/ commission does, whether there is
representation in behalf Of the pub
lie or not, go to the bottom of every
case and see that all relevant facts
are developed such as will give the
real truth Of the subject under re-
view. | think am justified in say.
! ing that the commission, perhaps