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FOUR Fix December 10th As Dale For Rehearing Augusta-Aiken Matter Chairman John G. Richards in Dissenting Opinion Gave His Reasons For Being Opposed to Increase FINANCIAL CONDITIONS iS ONE REASON WHY HE OPPOSES THE INCREASE Mr. Richards Said, in Consid eration of Service Given and Cost of Operation, if Increase of 100 Per Cent Was Allow ed, Would Be Higher Rate Than Any Other Road in the State. Columbia, S. C.~Granting the Au guata - Alkvn Railroad authority to in crease passenger rales over their ln terurlmu lines from one cent to two eenis per mile, nn<l opening the case for rehearing December 10th, the South Carolina Railroad Commission today made public the majority opin ion, In regard to the rate increases, and dissenting opinion of Chairman Richards, who opposed a change in the present rale schedule. Commissioner Hampton offered llie resolution, which was also advocated by Commissioner Caughman, that gave the road authority to increase the rales to the extent requested. The resolution became an order when adopted, and requires the road to file with the commission (heir now rate schedule within SO days from Novem ber 26th. Chairman Richards prepared a lengthy dissenting opinion In which hi declared lie deemed financial con ditions at this tltno such that, an in crease In lutes would prove of greater proportionate hardship upon the people Ilian would be the hardship Imposed Upon the road by requiring the pas senger charges to remain unchanged. Mr. Richards reviewed the financial condition of ihe road, and the testi mony offered by their representatives at the hearing upon their request be fore the commission here November Uth and 12th. The order of the majority of tho commission, granting the rate in crease, was worded as follows: Mr. Hampton's Resolution. Commissioner Hamilton offered tho following resolution: “After most thorough eonslderallon of all the facts and arguments pro and cen in re the increase of passenger rates on Augusta-Aiken Railway, 1 feel tlmt the Augusta-Aiken Railway is entitled to a higher passenger rato than it is operating under at present, and also realize full well Hie financial depression of the country generally and think that this Is an opportune time to allow an InetTased rate. 1 also believe, from inspection of the road and from evidence produced at the hearing, that the physical condi tion of Hie road needs considerable and immediate improvement, and also that the service rendered It not what the patrons of the road are entitled to. "Therefore, He It resolved that the Augusta-Atken Railway's petition lie grunted to increase its maximum pas senger rate to two cents per mill 1 , to become effective January lsl. I!R6, with the distinct understanding that in the meanwhile the physical condi tion of tho road ahull he Improved as rapidly ns possible and continued to be kept in a safe condition, and that competent and efficient service shall tie tendered on ull cars, and enough cars must be put into operation to comfortably lake care of the patrons, the abovo Improvements to lie sub ject to the ;r proval of the Railroad CoOMßi'*iv "Resolvri’ other. Tlmt the co t pany slink submit its tariff to the Hftltruad > "tnmlsslon for approval within thirty Rays, in order that said tariff, when approved, may lie includ ed In the commission's annual report.” Vote: Commissioners t'nughnmn and Hampton. “AyV’; Commissioner Rich ards "No.’' Chairman Richards’ dissenting opinion follows: Dissenting Opinion of Chsirmsn John Q. Richards. "I am opposed to the resolution of fered by Commissioner Hampton to allow tile Augusta-Aiken Railway and Electric Corporation to increase its passenger rate, as requested through petition of said company, and submit the following remarks In explanation of my position: "The Augusta-Aikon Railway and Electric Corporation owns and ope rates the Vuguata-Alkeu Railway Company, a land investment company, tlte Augusta city railway company, an Augusta hotel properly, and a water, light and power plant. These proper ties are not only owned by tlte same company that owns the Augusta- Aiken Railway, but are under Ihe same management and are so inter locked and operated that one Interest is largely dependent upon the other. "It ts true that while the evidence submitted to the Mouth Carolina Hali rcad Commission by representatives of this company at a hearing held on November lit]) and 12th, was to the effect that (he Augusta-Aiken Rail way Company had not done a profit able buattiees for the (mat twelve month#, the evidence also shows that the Augusta-Aiken Railway, tho par ent company, has done and ia doing today, a profitable business, that the last annual report to this commission shows this company declaring a 6 ta-r cent dividend and that there was a surplus of $178,060, which the com pany claims, however, lias since been •apended in improvements One of the witnesses. Colonel OH - , vere*. appearing in opposition to this ! Increase In rate of the Augusta-Aiken Railway, testified he was one of the i chief promoters of the construction of the Augusta-Aiken Railway and that it coat $500,000 to build and equip this road lie also test tried the property today la in no way better than It was when It was put into opernlion twelve veer* ago. that they operate the same number of cars snd maintain about the sstue schedule If Colonel OllverCH is correct ae to the cost of the construction and equipment of this ' road, or evett approximately so. then. | from their own reports this enmjqiny Is receiving today, at thr present pae acnaer tale, a renscnatde return upon their investment. This company shows, through Its am tl "V ft, that the pagant conqaii}' lisa Hunted vr sold bonds amounting to 63,000,000, but the report does not show that pro portion of this bonded indebtedness is a liability of tlte Augusta-Aiken Rail v,ay, or whether any of tills bonded debt is properly chargeable to the Au |gusta-Alken Railway Company per se. .An inspection demonstrates the fact (that while this company Is giving fairly good service It is at a minimum |of expense compared to the steam | railways and other electric lines of the j«tnte, and the accommodations fur bished its patrons are far below the standards of other railway' lines. Comparison With Piedmont. “An is well known, the legal fare for the main lines is cents per (mile and for the short. Independent | lines 3 cents. The electric lines of the Piedmont have a maximum fare Inf 216 cents, but sell a 500-mil* book | at 2 cents per mile, which is good to bearer. This railway also sells zone commutation tickets at 1 cent per I mile. Tlie main line steam railways sell 1,000-mi 1 a books on 2 cents per mile basis. The Augusta-Aiken Raii j way, when It began operation about I twelve years ago, voluntarily adopted | a 1 cent a mile maximum fare and i this, too, when the country through | which it had to operate was thinly (settled. Large towns are In existence (along this railway where no human being lived prior to Its const ruction. I This road has never sold "mileage I books or commutation tickets, nor has it, been required to construct large and expensive depots and operate separate coaches for the negroes, as the steam railways are required by law' to do. Ho. as I have stated, this railway, is operated at a minimum of expense as compared to tlte other lines of Hie slate. To grant the petition of this company fixes the maximum fare over this line at 2 cents per mile. Tills Is an increase of 100 per rent from Au gusta to Aiken and from Aiken to Au gusta, and 100 per cent In several of the ticket zones, in one or two of the zones there will be no increase, as the company claims to ho operating there upon a 2-eoiit mileage basis already. "From Hie evidence, pro and con, T do not feci that this company Is en titled to any Increase in 11s rate, and certainly not so much as Is prayed for In this petition, which is a 100 per cent Increase over a greater part of Its line. To grant this petition would, in toy Judgment, lie to fix a passen ger rnto over the Augusta-Atken line greater than any other line enjoys in this state, If we take into considera tion the service rendered and the cost of operation. "The Augusta-Aiken Railway Com pany lias operated for twelve years upon a l cent maximum rate, largo tracts of land have been'sold by this company to settlers along this lino and several large towns have grown up and the business of the company correspondingly increased. Theso sales of land by the company were made to purchasers who enjoyed and expected to continue to enjoy n 1 cent per mile rate. The Augusta-Aiken Railway and Electric Railway Corpo ration, with free and full access to tho hooks of the Augusta-Atken Railway Company, and being perfectly familiar with tlie financial standing and con dition of this company, purchased tho Augusta-Aiken Railway, feeling sure that Is was a paying proposition and, therefore, good business, and tlie evi dence they have given the commis sion docs not convince mo (hat Hioir Judgment vv is at error, but, on “lie contrary, I am convinced that this company Is today receiving a reason aide return upon its investment. The Most Fundamental Reason. “The foregoing reasons are suffic ient to cause me to withhold my vote for resolution granting tills Increase in rate, but there Is one far more fundamental. Our entire slate and all her interests are suffering from the business depression that is spreading over tlie country: not only corpdra tlons but the individual is suffering and 1 believe the individual even more Ilian tlie corporation Certainly this Ih trim In very many instances. "The August a-Allien Railway is ope rating through a territory, much ol which, from Hie nature of the case, is particularly sore depressed by the ab normal conditions. A large majority of those living in tills territory are wage-cat tiers amt many of them, with families dependent upon them, have been thrown out of employment. The Augusta -Aiken Railway is the only means of transportation that the cltl .■.ens of this territory have. Mnny of their children attend school in North i Augusta and use this line ns a means of traveling to and from school. Many, while living along the line, have em ployment iti Augusta, amt vice versa, and upon these classes particularly I will Ihe Increased t*ate bear with especial severity. In fact, I am afraid 111! many instances it will prove pro hibitive. “1 realisx that fnrt that tlie An gusts-Ail,eii Railway, as well us the other railway lines of (lie state, needs relief during tills period of depression (and i have shown a disposition to i grant It a. far as possible, but not by an Increase of rate, llad the Au jgiisla-Alken Railway Company peti tioned, as have most of the other lines |to l>e allowed to curtail expenses jthrough the re-nrrangrment of sched ules ami discontinuance of some of jits cars, 1 would willingly accede, but I I am opposed to grunting its petition i for an increase In rate and 1 record imy vote accordingly." The letter of the commission to tlie I interested parties advising of the com - i mission's action in allowing the rate (increase was ns follows. Fix December 10th. Columbia, S. C„ Nov, 26, 1614 'lion 11. E. Gyles, Hon John F. Williams A’ken. S C. OentlementMkrhts is to advise you (that the commission today, after read jing your petition for rehearing of the 'Augusta-Aiken Railway rate ease, has I decided to grant your petition snd will rehear the esse In its offtre at Colum bia, December 10th, ISM 4. at 10 a. ni. Tours very truly, JOHN O RICHARDS, Chairman. PRIMROSE AND WILSON. George Primrose, "the man with the ,'diet met, ' snd Iteorae W ilson ; t"Walts Me Again' Hie two surviv ing mei he's of the famous Harlow, Wilson. Primrose and West min strels. will tiring their all-prominent company of burnt cork celebrities to the Grand Halurrfav, matinee and evening . The company numbers fifty I vocalists, dancers, conedlana snd tn ; .“trumentnllst* Manager Karl Itur ! gess has given the famous stars a most I sumptuo*is scenic production. The cos* | turning 1s said to tie she moat eiab ; orate ever men with a minstrel com , pa ny. NATION’S LABOR PROBLEM Over a million and a Half Wo men Work an Farm Hands in the United States. By Peter Radford ctur«r National Parmer*' Union. Our poverment never fared so tremendous a problem as that now lying dormant at the doors of Congress and the legislatures, and which, when aroused, will shake this nation from center to circumference, and make civiliza tion hide its face in shame. That problem is—women in the field. The last Federal census reports show we now have 1,514,000 women working in the field, most of them south of the Ma son and Dixon line. There were approximately a million negro slaves working in the fields when liberated by the emancipation proclamation. We have freed our slaves and our women have taken their places in bondage. We have broken the shackles off the negroef. and welded them upon our daughters. The Chain-Gar,g of Civilization. A million women in bondage in the southern fields form tne chain-gang of civilization—the industrial tragedy of the age. There is no overseer quite so cruel as that of unrestrained greed, no whip that stings like the lash of suborned destiny, and no auctioneer’s block quite so revolting as that of organized avarice. The president of the United States was recently lauded by the press, and very properly so, for suggesting mediation between the engineers and railroad managers in adjusting thdir schedule of time and pay. The engineers threatened to strike if their wages were not increased from approx imately ten to eleven dollars per day and service reduced from ten to eight hours and a similar read justment of the overtime sched ule. Our women are working in the field, many of them barefoot ed, for less than 50 cents per day, and their schedule is the ris ing sun and the evening star, xnd after the day’s work is over they milk the cows, slop the hogs and rock the baby to sleep. Is anyone mediating over their problems, and to whom shall they threaten a strike? Congress has listened approv ingly to those who toil at the forge and behind the counter, and many of our statesmen have smiled at the threats and have fanned the flame of unrest among indus trial laborers. But women are as surely the final victims of indus dustrial warfare as they are the burden-bearers in the war be tween nations, and those who ar bitrate and mediate the differ ences between capital and labor should, not forget that when the expenses of any industry are un necessarily increased, society foots the bill by drafting a new consignment of women from the home to the field. Pinch No Crumb From Women’s Crust of Bread. No financial award can be made without some one footing the bill, and we commend to those who accept the responsibility of the distribution of industrial justice, the still small voice of the woman in the field as she pleads for mercy, and we beg that they pinch no crumb from her crust of bread or put another patch up on her ragged garments. We beg that they listen to the scream of horror from the eagle dn every American dollar that is wrung from the brow of toiling women and hear the Goddess of Justice hiss at a verdict that in creases the want of woman to satisfy the greed of man. The women behind the counter and in the factory cry aloud for sympathy and the press thunders out in their defense and the pul pit pleads for mercy, hut how about the woman in the field? Will not these powerful expon ents of human rights turn their talent, energy and influence to her relief? Will the Goddess of Liberty enthroned at Washing- LAST DAY OF BELGIAN FUND. The Woman's club Belgian rellet fund will close today. Tho commit tee. which hs* its headquarter* in of fice 306 Leonard building. Is recelv iii( contributions of old clothes snd money for tlie last day, and a generous contribution I* expected to close the so tar successful movement. If any person has any snides of clothing o'er and above "hat lie or she needs for ixTsottal use or for home charity distribution the name would be most grateful!) received to swell the useful bundles which are being sent from Augusta. The Committee in ohsrae of ihe of fice today is Mrs. Uelhner, Mrs 1* S. Arrington. Mr*. Crocker. Miss Ann e 1\ right and Mum Addlv Bartua. THE AUGUSTA HERALD, AUGUSTA, GA. WE GIVE AND REDEEM PURPLE TRAD ING STAMPS A[olv That Thanksgiving Has Come It Is Time to Think of Christmas Christmas Linens . ~ • Handsome Satin Table Sets With Round Bordered Designs 90x90 Cloth with one dozen 26x26 Napkins in lovely patterns. the «et 812 50 and 815 00 90)126 Cloth with one dozen 26x26, the set 825 00 90x90 Square Cloth with handsome wide design borders, each 86 75 LINEN LUNCH SETS— -45x45 Cloths with six napkins, the set— In Damask 8398 to $695 Embroidered Linen, the net $8 75 MADEIRA NAPKINS —Scalloped and hand-embroidered, the dozen $398 Madeira Napkins, hand-scalloped and embroidered, the dezen $695 to $1395 Hemstitched or Scalloped, all-linen Towels, beautifully embroidered, each O{)C to SIOO Plain All-Linen Towels, hemstitched, ideal for monograms, each 59c Huck Toweling, by the yard 59 c and 69C FINE QUALITY HEMSTITCH- EMBROIDERED AND SCAL ED LINEN. LOPE'' ROUND TABLE SET 18x54 Hcarfs $1 QO LINENS. 18x72 Scarfs *1.25 6.\6, each 190 22x54 Hcarfs SI 39 9x9, pacb 29*-- 36x36 Squares Il nQ 18x18, each 7§C 45x46 Squares 0198 24x24, each $1 00 30x30. each 81 50 HEMSTITCHED ALL LINEN 36x36. each §225 EMBROIDERED SQUARES. 12x12, each 4,5 c TRAYS AND SCARFS TO 18X18, each BgO MATCH THE ABOVE. 24x24, each $1 25 18x27 Trays 8100 30x30, each *1.75 18x54 Scarfs s■s >7 5 32x82, each $1 98 17x36 Scarfs 11-OO JBxs4 Scarfs $l5O 17x54 Scarfs $l5O MEN'S HANDKERCHIEFS Rlack Leather Handkerchief Cases, stamped in silver letters, containing six all linen H. H. Handkerchiefs, for $l5O Wide hem with small embroidered initial, 3 in box .. . $1 50 Narrow hem with all linen, various styled initial, 6 in box for $l5O 6 in box for Si 00 6 in box for... 75^ Suits and Coats Greatly Reduced. Silk Dresses Half Price. Serge Dresses and Childrens Coats Greatly Reduced. Upholstered in Spar : > | $331 Special Sale of Curtains in All the Newest Creations There is no ornament In the home that furnishes a room like curtains, it is the only ornament that show's both from within and without. No matter how beautiful the rest of the furniture in the room, it will never look lta best unless there are curtains at the windows Below we quote a few of the many specials we have on sale for tomorrow: $1.25 Colored bordered Swiss Curtains, the pair 98*^ $1.50 Hemstitched Voile Curtains with dainty edges and hand worked motifs $124 $1.75 -Voile Curtains, with (Tuny edge and insertion, the pair $1 49 $2.00 Voile Curtains, with fillet lace insertion and wide Cluny edge, the pair $174 $2 50 Voile Curtains, hemstitched and hand-embroidered, the pair $l9B $2 75 Voile Curtains, hemstitched with Cluny edge, pair $2 24 $3.00 Voile Curtains, with tuck and wide insertion, plain edge, the pair $2 4. $175 Net Curtains, with deep hemmed edge, the pair .. ■ $1 49 $2.10 Net Curtains, with wide tuck, the pair • 81 74 $2.50 Net Curtains, with double row of wide tucks, the $2.50 N Curtains, with Cluny Insertion, the pair sl9 $2.13 Net Curtains, with wide Cluny edge, the pair .. , $1 98 $2 00 Net Curtains, with wide Cluny edge, the pair .. .. $149 Hundreds of other stylee at Similar Reductions. ANDREWS BROS. CO. 870 BROAD STREET The Daintiest Handkerchiefs in the Most Attractive Boxes For Xmas Children’s Handkerchiefs in fancy picture boxes, 3 in a box 15C Also in Mother Goose boxes, with figures and rhymes in corner of handkerchief, 3 in a box for 150 Fanoy picture boxes, with three colored bordered and initial handkerchiefs, the box 25C LADIES’ HANDKERCHIEFS. Wide hem with long embroidered initials, all pure linen, 6 in a box, for -$l5O Narrow hem with embroidered oval containing initial, all pure linen, 3 In a fancy box for SIOO Wide hem, long initial, all pure linen, in lovely box of 3 for $1 Narrow' hem, pink, blue and lavender initial, one of each, all linen, the box for 8125 Narrow hem, all linen, with script embroidered initial, 3 in a fancy box, for 69C Boxes tinted in brown tones with three handkerchiefs, one each, blue, pink and lavender borders and embroidered, the bo * sl-25 Wide hem, white or colored borders or initials, each 19C to 75C Armenian Edge Handkerchiefs, wide bordered hemstitched, each 59c Armenian Edge Handkerchiefs, embroidered corner, each ..29C H. S. black embroidered cornered Handkerchiefs, each .. 19 c MINK SETS—Larg& shawl scarf, formed of six skins, ending in front, with claws and tails, extra large pil- iW tow muff formed of nine skins, brown satin lined, sides quilted and piped, SjK_ handsome cord and tassel — \ Scarf S4OOO wSV. Muff S6O 00 \\A CIVET CAT SET—Cravat scarf fas- a tened with buttonhole and large fur vy j buttons, W'ith two broad short ends, 7 JLyjl >V 4 pillow' muff with satin puffed sides \ "Y } and silk cord and tassel, the L. AiA, '■ «-C:il'ik Wi V A 7 HUDSON SEAL SET—Cravat scarf, k ii fastened with buttonhole and large <*"• -ICjanc/C.A y J fur button, cravat tali at back and 1 ft two In front, pillow muff, the ' ■'ipmW \\ j 7 ■><* $32 50 ,n J) V MINK SET—Shnwl scarf with wound ■: Hi, “ ends finished witli handsome brown x Ml 1/ silk ornaments and tassels for $35 1 1' Pillow muff to match .. • •*4O iPi'a Mink Muff $29 75 'W “ji Mink Scarf, large shawl, finished with ‘ \jw| ’ mink tails S4O 00 SKUNK SCARF, SHAWL EFFECTS—Long ends finished with real skunk tails, a .are bargain for sls 00 REAL MINK THROW SCARF " . . $7.50 Jap. Mink Shaw’l Scarf sl7 50 Black Fox Scarf, newest shapes .. , sls 820 and $25 Black Fox Muffs, big pillow shapes S2O ■ nd j2o Genuine Skunk Set, rich glossy fur that outwears any other fur, scarf with real head and three tails, huge muff, set .. $8750 Black Coney Scarfs 8198 $298 Muffs 85 00 Black Coney Sets $1250 SILK KIMONOS $599 to $695 Flannelette Kimonos •• 8125 and $l9B Bath Robes for children, floral, kindergarten and Indian designs sl-50 to SSOO Bath Robes for ladies $3-98 to $895 Bath Robes for men, cord trimmed .. $3 98 to $5 00 BUY A COTTON FELT MA TTRESS Our Cotton - Felt Mattresses are the most comfortable, the most sanitary and the most durable mattress on the market. You can buy them for less now that cotton is cheap and still get the same quality. Now is the time to -eplax-e your old worn out mattresses with a new. clean springy luxurious mattress. SIB.OO Felt Mattress _ ... n ___ • -815-00 $15.00 Felt Mattress *l2 50 $12.50 Felt Mattress „ „ ... —••*1000 SIO.OO Felt Mattress ......*5.59 $8.50 Felt Mattress ~ $7 59 $7.50 Felt Mattress $6.50 All Cotton Mattress 84 98 Our Housefurnishing Club Plan Enables you to buy Furniture snd Housefurnishings the same price as for cash and pay monthly in small payments. The small fse for carrying is offset by the Purple Stamps which we give on monthly payments. Shades. Stair Carpets, Linoleums, etc, measured and laid by experts free of charge, promptly and prop erly. * THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 26. Save Your Votes for Your Favorite Charity. 10 Votes for Every Stamp. Inexpensive! Fancy this handsome three-piece mission set safely installed in your living room or library on a cold win ter night—doesn’t it bring a picture of cosy comfort directly up before you? Note please that each of the chairs is upholstered in Spanish Imperial leather —they are no commonplace pieces, the rocker and its mate. Note, too, the roominess of tho table for books and papers. And after you have done all this read how inexpensively we have priced the set complete. $35.00