Savannah morning news. [volume] (Savannah) 1868-1887, 1882-08-29
THE INCREASED FREIGHT
SCALE.
THE
The Cause of ITS AdOpiiOn-The In
crease General-What savannah
Merchants and Railway Omciais
SaY-The Rates TO be Maintained.

SaI-InG hAAG8 ~ 0V
The result of the action Of the annual
meeting of the Southern Railway and
Steamship Association, in New York, on the
9th of August, in adopting a schedule in
creasing freight rates, was announced in
the MORNING NEWS at the time.
From the fact that the announce
ment OF this action occasioned
no surprise among our Savannah merchants,
by whom 1t was not unanticipated,
we have not referred particularly to
the subject. An opposition movement to
the new schedule was, however, lnauguT-
ated in Atlanta, and at the meeting OF the
Chamber Of Commerce In that city the co
operation OF other cities and towns In
Georgia was invoked. We have given
synopsis of the action Of the Atlanta body
and an account Of the feeling OF the mer-
chants of Augusta has also been presented.
1t would seem that this opposition arises
from the impression sought to be created
that the new scale Of freights is unjust and
onerous.
A thorough examination into the matter,
however, shows that there is no basis
for this opposition, and that the action
of the association has been taken with
the sole view 10 pIOhECb bAOh NoAAOAo
interests against continued losses, and
that the arrangement is as equitable In
its effects as 1t is possible to make 1t. There
is no discrimination whatever against the
interior towns, and we can see no just cause
for compliant.
In conversation with several Of our promi-
| nent cotton men yesterday, we found general
satisfaction existing. 1t was not considered
| that the rates were onerous, as the advance
was from all ports, and the rates have been
m de uniform according to mileage, which,
| as one merchant informed us, was the policy
| he had advocated years ago.
Meeting James B. West, ESQ.,, the senior
of the firm of Messrs. James r. West q Co.,
| Agents of the Merchants and Miners Trans
portation Company, we inquired his opinion
| of the new schedule and its effects, to which
| he very frankly replied that there was moth
| ing in the action of the association to call for
discomfort from any quarter, and that the
| interests of the transportation lines de-
manded living rates. So far as he knew,
there was no dissatisfaction among the Sa-
vannah merchants; that while there is little
or no difference in the rates from interior
points to Savannah, the rates from Savannah
| and other Atlantic cotton ports to all North
| ern and Eastern ports and manufacturing
| towns have been increased-that is to say,
| last years rates from Savannah to Balti
| more were 81 80 per bale, and to Philadel-
| phia, New York and Boston were 81 IS per
bale. Under the schedule adopted for this
year the rates to Baltimore are 81 per bale
and to New York, Philadelphia and Boston
81 25 per bale.
In answer to an inquiry in regard to the
disaffection in Augusta, and the assertion
that their interests were Injured, Mr.. West
| replied that he could discover no reasonable
cause for the complaint. The rate from
Augusta to Savannah was the same as here
tofore. On the contrary Montgomery, a
competing town, paid last year on shipment
of cotton to New England So go per bale
against SO per bale from Augusta. This
year Montgomery pays 81 so per bale,
| against SO SO per bale from Augusta, thus
showing that the new rates favor Augusta
81 cents per bale. These figures are based
on $50 pounds to the bale.
We next met Col. William Rogers, Super
intendert of the Central Railroad, who, af-
ter some general remarks upon the subject,
referred US to Major George A. Whitehead,
General Freight Agent of the Central Rail-
road. whom we found in his Office surround
ed bv his busy corps of clerks, and were
courteousy welcomed by him.
Making known the object OF our visit, we
irouired of Major Whitehead If he had any
official notice of dissatisfaction among the
merchants of Augusta and Atlanta in re-
gard to the new schedule Of rates, aud II
| any complaint had been received from the
merchants of Savannah. Major Whitehead
| reDlied that the agent of the company at
the points named had communicated the
fact of some opposition, and That ne
had written them that the schedule had
been adopted after mature elaboration and
| its eouitableness had been carefully consid-
| cred He believed that the rates would be
| maintained as there was no reason to
| change them, and that after they went into
operation on the LIST of September he was
| convinced there would be no serious oppo-
sition, and that the agreement would Work
satisfactorily There have been no com
plants whatever from the merchants OF
| Savannah.
The NEWS representative then pro-
| pounded an inquiry as to the cause OF the
j advance, to which Major Whitehead re-
| sDOnded that the rates at present on cotton
were the same that had been in operation
the past three years, but they were not found
remunerative, and a change was tmpera-
tive. The meeting which had adopted
| the new schedule was largely at
| tended. and the basis for adjusting
the cotton rates for 1898 was signed by
| NJ. H Smith, ESQ, Vice President Louisville
and Nashville Railroad, Capt. W. u. Rsoul,
! Vice President Central Railroad, Henry Fink,
| ESQ. Vice President and General Manager
| of The Virginia, Tennessee and Georgia
Air line, T. II. r. Talcott, ESQ Vice Presi
| dent and General Manager of the Piedmont
| Airline, and John B. Peck, Esq General
| Manager of the South Carolina Railway.
The basis is as follows:
Savannah, Charleston, ETC., to New
| Augusta to Savannah, Charleston,
etc .........- .................... per 4UO &c
Augusta to Norfolk, Richmond. etc ,' 50 $50.
| Augusta to New York .-...- :" zoe.
| Macon to Savannah, Charleston, etc " :" 4Oc.
| Macon to Norfolk, ETC.. olc.
i Atlanta 10 Savannah, Charleston,etc -" 45c.
| Atlanta, Norfolk, etc. .......-...... BOO.
Atlanta to New York. " vac
| Rates from Columbia same as Augusta.
In regard to the rates on general mer-
chandise, Major Whitehead stated that the
association had only adjusted the south
bound rates to those in operation
Nav 5th, 1881, with such notifications
as might be necessary on account OF changes
| that may have been made in local rates and
that NAV be rendered necessary by the
change in the basis for adjusting relative
| rates. At the meeting of the association
held in Atlanta August, 1881, the rates OF
merchandise were temporarily reduced In
consequence Of the pressure brought
then ruling between the East
and Louisville and Nashville and other West
ern cities. The necessity for this reduction,
| which was temporary, according to the res
olution then adopted, now being past, the
association have resumed the schedule OF
/ rates for this character OF Irelgl6 WHICH WAS
in force prior to the reduction and which
are equitable and reasonable. The return to
| the basis of 1881 of rates on general mer-
ehandise was approved by all the General
| Managers, including John Scott, Esq, Gen
| eral Manager of the Cincinnati, New Or
leans and Texas Pacific Railway Company.
The association were unanimous In this
policy, the various railroads and steamship
| companies composing it having come to the
conclusion that It was wise to abandon the
cutting business and return to paying
basis.
Major Whitehead is convinced that there
will be a heavy increase In ocean rates, as
there will be a great demand for steam and
sail vessels, In consequence of the Egyptian
troubles occasioning a great scarcity OF
| tonnage, and for that reason the purchaser
for export in the interior will have no ad-
vantage over the purchaser for the Eastern
markets.
Mr.. West has similar views on this sub
iect, and considers that the increase In the
foreign rates will equalize the advance TO
eOsstWise ports. and that the commercial
interests will not be injuriously affected,
| while the transportation companies Will be
| benefited by paying business.
A consideration Of the whole subject
| seems to present no special feature to eX-
| cite opposition, though there may be dis
satisfaction temporarily on the part OF GER
tain localities At all events 1t may be said
that the rates have been adopted and will
90 into effect on the first prOxlmo, and that
| the schedule will be maintained by all the
| fpfaraefc In the n0Ol.