The Henry County weekly. (McDonough, GA.) 18??-1934, November 08, 1907, Image 9
NO AGREEMENT BY GOVERNORS • On Railroad Passenger Rates at Conference in Atlanta* SOME PROGRESS MADE -Much Time Taken Up in Discussion But Nothing Tangible Resulted—Will Investigate Further. With the issuance of a formal state ment declaring that the conference had Ueen most satisfactory and that ar i’angmeuts had been made for co-opera tion in the investigation of facts and law connected with the duty of tha ■states to the public and the transpor tation companies, but with no an nouncement as to any definite agree ment as to the passenger or freight rates to be charged, the conference -between Governqr R. B. Comer of Alabama, Governor Robert B. Glenn •of North Carolina and Governor Hoke Smith of Georgia, held in Atlanta, ad journed early Friday night. However, ail concerned were well satisfied with the progress made dur ing the session. The chief executives of the different stat.es are not yet •done with the question and at an early date will take it up among them .selves by communication with the in tention of arriving at some decision. Special reference was given at the ■conference to passenger rates as af fecting the three states and practically the entire time of the session was •devoted to discussion along this line. Governors Comer and Glenn leit for their homes Immediately after the ad journment of the conference. Just before the conference began at 9:30 o’clock Friday morning, a let ter signed by a score or more mer chants in Atlanta was handed to Gov ernor Smith asking that a fiat rate •of 2 3-4 cents be put on in Georgia and other southern states, materially increasing the present rate iu ef fect. The party was engrossed in discuss ing the legal phases of the various situations in the three states until 2 •o’clock, when an adjournment for luncheon took place. At that time a statement was issued to the press iu •which it was declared no decision had been reached and nothing mere was to be given out until later. The visiting governors dined with the Georgia governor, after which the conference was resumed and continued until 6 o’clock. It is a peculiar situation faced by the conference. North Carolina has a flat rate of 2 1-4 cents a mile, fixed by the general assembly of that state, and which can neither be altered nor changed until the general assembly convenes again. Governor Comer of Alabama has recently signed an agree ment with the Southern and other al lied lines accepting a flat basis of 2 3-4 cents a mile, effective December 1, which is binding on both parties, while Georgia, under the railroad commis sion order issued during the Terrell administration, and which is being operated now, provides a sliding scale of from 3 to 2 cents. From this it seems there is a wide chasm dividing the three states on this subject. The official statement issued by the three governors, says, in part: “Our conference has been most sat isfactory. We discussed conditions in our respective states and we arranged to co-operate in the investigation or facts and law connected with the duty of our states to the public and to transportation companies. We will also co-operate with other states which have the same problem. We regard the complete recognition of the right of states to regulate the intrastate business of transportation companies as absolutely necessary. “We deplore the fact that railroad corporations have in some instances been damaged by the effort of their officers to disregard the action of our States. This has happened in every case where they have made allegations in the courts of sensational claims of injury contrary to the facts. “When the railroad companies cease their false cry of confiscation and sub mit to the duly constituted autnorities, upon which alone rests the right to determine questions of public polic; the railroad companies may expect a rapid return of public confidence and a restoration of normal credits. The authorities of our states are at all times ready to hear from the railroad companies fully and to accord to them treatment not alone just, but liberal. “The details of our conference we do not consider it desirable to make public at this time.’’ J49 COTTON CERTIFICATES Requested of Cortelyou by President Duck worth of Georgia Farmers’ Union. Hundred Millions W anted. President R. F. Duckworth, head of the Georgia division bf the Farmers’ Union and a member of the legislative committee of the National Farmers’ Union, has written the secretary oL’ the treasury at Washington, D. C., praying that he be given the authority to issue certificates to the amount of $100,000,000 backed by cotton receipts given by bonded warehouses. This $100,000,000 to be guaranteed by twice that amount of cotton at present prices, and certificates to remain n; force until August 15, 1903. This step is asked for to aid in the cotton hold ing movement, and President Duck worth believes that the plan is perfect ly just and reasonable, and will ma terially aid the south in the effort to secure a fair price for its product. The following is a copy of the letter by President Duckworth: “Secretary of the Treasury, Wash ington, D. C. —My Dear Sir: As a mem ber of the national legislative commit tee of the National Farmers’ Union, 1 address you this letter in the behalf oi over a million farmers of the south who are interested in the holding oi cotton. The Atlanta bankers have is sued what they term clearing house certificates to the amount of $2,000,000. They claim that these certificates are backed by ‘gilt edge security.’ Thu Farmers’ Union has warehouses throughout the south. The majority of these warehouses are bonded, and I want to ask for the benefit of the farmers of the south, the permission of your department, to issue certifi cates backed by our cotton receipts, given by bonded warehouses, to the amount of $100,000,000. This $100,000,- 000 to be guaranteed by twice that amount of cotton ,uc present prices. These certificates to remain in circula tion until August 15, 1908. We would greatly appreciate a reply from you on this matter at once. “Very respectfully yours, “R. F. DUCKWORTH, “Member of the Legislative Committee of the National Farmers’ Union and President Georgia State Farm ers’ Union.” BIG STEAMER GOES TO BOTTOM, City of Birmingham Strikes Rock in Bos ton Harbor and Quickly Sinks. The steamer City of Birmingham of the Ocean Steamship company struck a ledge in the harbor at Bos ton early Monday morning while bound out to Savannah and sank in ten fathoms of water, about two miles below her dock. The crew escaped. The boat has passenger accommoda tions, but none were on the vessel at the time. When the ledge was hit, the vessel backed off into deep water; immedi ately the engine room was flood d and fifteen minutes after striking the boat sank. The crew had no difficulty in getting off in the steamers’ boats and rowing the two miles back to the dock. The City of Birmingham lies with upper deck above water, and arrangements have been begun for raising her. OWNERSHIP OF GEORGIA CENTRAL To Be Fully Investigated by Georgia State Railroad Commission. The Georgia state railroad commis' sion has formulated and adopted an order, calling upon the Central of Geor gia railroad company and the South ern railway for "full disclosures touch ing the sale of the stock of the former, so far as the facts may be known to them or their companies, or appearing in the books or documents in their possession.” The commission also requests a com plete list of all stockholders of tlio Central of Georgia railroad at the pres ent time, and at all times since Octo ber 17, 1895. The desired information must be furnished on or before No vember 15. The ills peculiar to women, take different forms. Some ladies suffer, every month, from dark rings round their eyes, blotches on their skin and tired feeling. Others suffer agonies of pain, that words can hardly express. Whatever the symptoms, remember there is one medicine that will go beyond mere symptoms, and act on the cause of their troubles, the weakened womanly organs. Mrs. M. C. Austin, of Memphis, Tenn., writes: "For five (5) years I suffered with every symptom of female disease, but after using the well-known Cardui Home Treatment, I was entirely well." IAJDITI- ST£ A I CTTFD Wr)tc today for n free copy of valuableM-pagr Illustrated Book for Women. If you ne?d Med- V? KJ 1 La U > I.L B 1 Ll\ ici ' Advice : describe your symptoms, statin* ace, and reply will bo sent in plain sealed envelope. Address: Ladies Advisory Dept.. The Chattanooga Medicine Co.. Chattanooga. Tenn. ROOSEVELT WILL AID j The Proposition of an Atlantic-Mississippi Wateiway Through South Atlan tic Cotton Eelt. Postmaster Harry Edwards of Mat son, Ga., has received a letter from President Roosevelt in which he en* i iorses the proposed canal to connect j the Atlantic ocean with the Missis- i sippi river through the south Atlantic i ootton belt and promised his active j issistance in its development. United States Senator Bacon of Geor gia conferred with members of the ! Atlanta chamber of commerce forming the canal committee of that organiza- ] tion Thursday afternoon in the assem- j bly hall of the chamber. Mr. Caverly, chairman of the spe- j rial committee, stated the object of the gathering and suggested that Sen itor Bacon talk to the assembly. The I senator did not think a speech was needed and announced that he was ready to answer any questions that might be asked of him. Quickly the assembly was exchanging remarks, Senator Bacon being the target for many questions. It was brought out that it was Senator Bacon who pre- 1 sented to the United States senate, a dozen years ago, the first bill propos ing a canal connection between the waters of the Mississippi valley and those of the Atlantic coast or water shed. That bill had for its object a preliminary survey by the federal gov ernment. Senator Bacon manifested a remark able familiarity with the suggested ca nal work. He talk'd interestingly o! what had been done and of what is now being considered by the indus tries of the south wanting a water highway to the Mississippi and to tbe Missouri. Without moving from his chair, Sen ator Bacon talked of the waterway connection between the central west and the Atlantic. lie was given the closest attention throughout the hour’s sitting. Reference was made by Secretary Cooper to tbe deep water convention to be held in Knoxville, Tennessee, Senator Bacon suggested that Atlanta could lose nothing by being represent ed at that gathering. If a personal representation wasn’t convenient, then there should be in the hands of the secretary of the convention, Senator Bacon thought, a communication from Atlanta—from the chamber of com merce or from the general council. A national gathering of inland Water way promoters was suggested. Senator Clay gave the suggestion his hearty commendation, but was of the opinion that it would require time to bring such a gathering about. APPEAL TO GOVERNOR GLENN. Wilmington Business Men Request That He Act Wisely and Well. Thursday night, fifty leading busi ness men of Wilmington, N. C., tele graphed Governor Glenn, who was in Atlanta for tne purpose of conferring with Governor Smith of Georgia and Governor Comen of Alabama, on rail road litigation in the south, as fol lows: “Southern crops are plentiful and southern commercial and industrial conditions never intrinsically sounder. Agitation has ruthlessly depressed val ues, causing congestion and inability to move crops with expedition. Resto ration of confidence is essential for the south to realize full values for its great products. We believe it is in the power of the conference to restoie confidence in a great measure by an equitable adjustment of the rate con troversy. The south can save the sit uation by wise action at this junc ture.” GREAT NERVE EXHIBITED BY BOY. Rode Mile to Doctor Carrying Severed Foot in His Hand. Riding a horse near Elida, New Mexico, Ban Johnson, 16 years old, ran the animal into a barbed wire fence and completely severed his own foot, but, carving the severed member, he rode into the town, a mile, for treat ment, and did not faint. CASH TO MOVE CROPS Coming to Dixie from Treasury Depart ment According to Statement of Secretary Corteiyou. A Washington special says: Comp troller Ridgely announced at the close df business Friday that $1,339,000 of rirculation notes had been issued by the treasury during the day to vari ous national banks of the country. The names of the banks taking out the notes were not disclosed. This action by the banks was in response to Comptroller Ridgely’s circular suggesting the taking out of additional circulation notes by tbe na tional .banks. Treasury bonds as a basis for the issue of national bank notes will in crease in value for seveial days, and the shipments of currency will also, or course, increase correspondingly. Secretary Cortelyou, who is in New York, is understood to be willing to make deposits of public money at cot ton exporting points, so as to relieve the strain. He wired New Orleans Friday afternoon that the treasury de partment cannot transfer money from London to New Orleans, as suggested by cotton exporters there. The plan was to have cash deposited with the United States fiscal agents abroad and immediately upon such deposit to draw cash at the sub-treasury iu New Or leans. The financial situation in New York was gradually clearing Friday. It show ed no striking features. Runs on the banks and trust companies are prac tical over; money which was tem porarily withdrawn from banks sub ject to runs, is flowing into the stronger banks, and currency is being provided in most cases where the de mand is considered legitimate. Fur ther engagements of gold by Boston and other points have brought the to tal engagements abroad to $26,550,000. The Lusitania, which sailed during the day from Liverpool has on board about $10,000,000 in gold, one of the largest single shipments ever maue. Prices' on the stock exchange were firm and did not yield seriously at any rime. Balances at the clearing house have settled to normal, but there is still something of a blockade in domestic exchange through the unwillingness of New York banks to pay currency on drafts from other cities and the unwillingness of other cities to pay cut their currency upon drafts from New Y r ork. The condition indicates a continued pressure for currency rather than a breakdown of credits, but rea sonable demands are being met for regular bank customers. WANT PASSENGER RATE RAISED. Seniational Petition Presented to Governor by Atlanta Merchants. An increase over the present pas senger rates as ordered by the Georgia railroad commission during the admin istration of Governor Terrell, was pre sented to Governor Smith just before the conference between Governors ! Glenn of North Carolina, Comer of j Alabama and Smith of Georgia, in At j lauta, Friday. In this petition, drawn up by the Atlanta merchants, it is proposed that a fiat rate of 2 3-4 cents be put into | effect throughout the state and the south; that one and two thousand mile books be issued at a rate of 2 1-4 j cents, and that 500-mile books be is sued, good for purchaser and family, at the rate of 2 1-2 cents a mile. PROHIBITION FOR FINLAND. Diet at Helsingfors Passes Anti-Alcohol Bill Unanimously. The Finland diet at Helsingfors, Fri- I day, adopted unanimously, without a* j roll cnil the alcohol bill prohibiting I absoutely the manufacture of alcohol in Finand or Its importation into Fin ! land. As the measure affects Russia’s tariff relations with foreign countries, it is not certain that the emperor will J sauction the measure, j In view of the passage of the bill, j temperance celebrations are being held I in every part of the country. LIGHT WANTED BY PRESIDENT As to What Financial Legislation Should Be Recommended. * CONGRESS MEETS SOON Many Conlerences Being Hold, Da/ and Night, at White House Regarding Measurers to Ee Presented. A Washington special oays: From an authoritative source it is learned that the president is consulting with the individual members of his cabinet, who have hud special experience iu large financial questions, respecting Ihe legislation to be recommend d to congress. Of course, the secretary of the treasury has taken the leading part In the conferences, bm it is also true that the president is not declining advice from any other promising quar ter, and he has spent many hours re cently in discussing this important sub ject, these conferences taking place at night as well as in the daytime, and, in fact, at any opportune moment. The discussion, so fur, iias served to bring about the conviction that it will be difficult to get any beneficial legis lation of this character through con gress quickly. That was one of the reasons why tho president did not agree with the grext interests, which recently appealed to him to call an ex tra session of congress immediately to deal with the finances of the coun try. Notwithstanding the present great stress to which the existing bank sya tem, as well as the correlative sys j terns, are being subjected by the cur ] rency stringency, it is feared that some j time must elapse before the divers i views ent rtaiiud by many people, bankers, merchants, law ,givers and i college professors can be fused into j one practicable and effective nn asure | for relief. It was felt that so great was the task that littlsub.riantial gain would be afforded by gathering congress in special session a fortnight before the beginning of tho regular j session. ! It may be stated that such study as ! the president and his constitutional ad visers have been able to give to the multitude of projected currency bills has left them under the conviction that after all, none of them is more prom ising or stands a better opportunity of securing the approval of congress than the particular measure referred to by the president in his last mes sage to congress on this subject. That was the plan commonly ascrib ed to Secretary Shaw, which, the pres ident stated, had, in its essential fea tures, been approved by many promi nent bankers and business men. The president’s description of the measure was brief, but comprehensive, for ho ! said: “According to this plan, national banks should be permitted to issue a speciljed proportion of their capital in notes of a given kind, the issue to be taxed at as high a ratfe as to drive the notes back when not wanted in legitimate trade. This plan would not permit the issue of currency to give banks additional profits, but to meet the emergency presented by times of stringency.” It is possible that In the four weeks intervening before the- assembling of the sixtieth congress the president may conclude to adopt some other plan, or to amplify and work out the details of this means of obtaining an elastic currency, but if he remains of his pres ent turn of mind, it is believed that he will feel obliged to recur to the original and simple Shaw plan. Financiers of New' York bold oppos ing views regarding the suggestion of an extra session of congress at one© to provide for currency reform. Half a dozen members of congress, men prominent in the house, also oppose it. The financiers who oppose a spe cial session of congress generally fa vor currency reform, but they hold that the regular session of congress is so near that the subject can be considered then.