The Monroe journal., 1922-10-31
hth Bmea
C adaem
fore buying

sands and thousands Of dollars in
freight rates.
The Governors Plan
Il have always boosted the Clyde
line he said, that used to touch at
Wilmington. But every time the
Clyde line would become a serious
competitor of the railroads, some OF
the big companies would buy it out
and deprive the state of water rates
The governors plan is for the state
TO assume controlling ownership of
corporation that would purchase the
number Of freighters needed and put
them INTO immediate operation. The
growing commerce of Eastern North
Carolina. supplemented by freight for
all sections of the state that could
be more conveniently and cheaply
handled by water, would make the
proposition a paying one, it is be-
ieved. The states financial support
would induce private capital within
the state to join in the formation
of a corporation that would not be
susceptible to the influence of the rail-
roads or other boat lines. Little COM
panies heretofore attempting the
operation of lines from Carolina ports
have been bought out, it is claimed, to
kill the competition of water rates.
The plan, it is understood, would
follow somewhat the scheme of or
ganization of the North Carolina rail-
road. After full development the
steamship corporation could be re-
leased, as the states railroad has
been. or handled by the company with
the state maintaing the controlling
ownership.
Boston Interested
The city of Boston, having learned
of this project, seems all enthusiasm,
according TO a dispatch from that
city dated the 2ith. We quote from
the Boston Dispatch:
Considerable interest is being TAX
en- in this vicinity in the plans for the
organization of a company, with the
State of North Carolina as the prin-
cipal stakeholder, to operate a fleet
of steamships between North Caro-
lima and north Atlantic ports, as pro-
posed by Governor Morrison, of the
southern commonwealth.
The plan, which it is reported will
be laid before the North Carolina leg
islature after it convenes in January.
was highly praised by officials of the
Boston government, the chamber of
commerce, the New England Mari
time association, and distinguished
men whe not only have the interest
of New England at heart but who
have sought long and necessarily
against freight diferentials and tex
tortionate" rates.
The proposition of Governor Nor
rison is of special interest to Massa-
chusetts at just this time. Ex-Mayor
John F, Fitzgerald, democratic can
didate for governor, is basing his
campaign on just this issue. The re-
publican administration in this state,
as well as Senator Lodge, have been
bitterly criticised for the present de-
plorable condition of the port of Bos-
ton. The White Star line as well as
the Cunard are preparing to abandon
this port after so years of service.
Extortionate Freight Rates
"Extortionate freight rates have
ruined not only the port of Boston
but New England as WE'LL" stated
Mayor Curley this afternoon. "0nly
recently | was forced to go into the
south to purchase coke for our NUM-
cipal coal yards. Freight rates were
such that we could not even attempt
to haul $4,000 tons over the road.
81 spent two days in search of ships
and two days more arguing with the
secretary of the navy before | could
get government ships to bring the
coke here.
philadelphia, Baltimore and south
ern rates are impossible and it's high
time that some action was taken.
Governor Morrison, of North Carroll
ma. can depend on Massachusetts, and