Savannah morning news. [volume] (Savannah) 1868-1887, 1884-08-23
THEIMPENDINGRATEWAR
THE f. T., V. & GA. PREPARING
TO FIGHT THE CENTRAL.

What the Withdrawal From the Macon
and Atlanta Pools May Lead to-The
Central Only Wants Its Just Rights
What the East Tennessee, Virginia
and Georgia Proposes to Do.
A gentleman who is well informed in
regard to railroad affairs stated TO
MORNING NEWS reporter yesterday that
il was difficult to say what would De the
result of the existing trouble growing out
of the withdrawal of the East Tennessee,
Virginia and Georgia Railroad from
the Macon and Atlanta pools. From
what he could learn he believed
the East Tennessee, Virginia and
Georgia TO be preparing for a vigOr-
Gus fight with the Central. 1T is re-
ported,' added the gentleman, shat or
ders have been given TO the agents and
solicitors Of that road to take business at
whatever price it can be obtained.
ssWhat do you understand to be the
cause Of the fight?" asked the reporter.
ssThe trouble has been growing for some
time. The East Tennessee, Virginia and
Georgia, up to year ago, were allowed
a share in the business Of the Atlanta and
West Point Railroad. When the Central
obtained entire control of that road,
through its interest in the Georgia Rail-
road, il peremptOrily cut the East Tonnes
see out. The result was d little 5kir-
mish last year, which, however, was
adjusted by the pool committee
"What territory Of the Central will be
likely to be affected by a fight with the
East Ten nessee, Virginia and Georgia.
"All of its most lucrative business ter
ritory, particularly that OF Southwest
Georgia. The East Tennessee, Virginia
and Georgia will make low rates from
Macon to outward pOints-NOrfOlk, Sa-
vannah. or wherever Ii can reach. The
shippers on the line of the Central will
ship their cotton to Macon or Atlanta to
the order Of the opposition road. All that
the Central will then get viii be the local
rate to those points. The opposition road
is fighting for a share Of the CentraPs
legitimate business-that which it can do
itselt-fOr example, the transportation Of
cotton from Americas to Savannah. If it
don't get il one way it proposes TO get ii
another. Last year the East Tennessee,
Virginia and Georgia shipped consider
able amount of Macon cotton TO Savannah
over the Savannah, Florida and Western
Railway. 1t is said that an attempt was
made to block off this business, but it did
| not succeed"
'what do you think will be the result
Of the fghtV
Gan effort is being made to have the
| matter arranged and avoid a night. To
| this end a meeting of the Executive Com
mittee of the Southern Railway and
| Steamship Association is called to meet
/ at Atlanta on Aug. 2S. 1t is very doubt
/ full if a meeting is held, however, as the
railroad magnates who compose II are
| scattered ali over the country. either at
/ tending railroad meetings, o. resting at
/ watering places. l can see no end
| that can be accomplished by the
| Central giving way. 1t must give the
| East Tennessee, Virginia and Georgia a
/ share in its business, either in freight or
/ money, otherwise the latter will cut the
| rates and take the business anyhow. In
| my opinion the Central had better make
| the fight now"
''What will be the attitude Of the Sa-
| Yannah, Florida and Western Railways"
''It is understood that that corporation
| is friendly to both the Central and the
! East Tennessee, Virginia and Georgia.
/ don't think, if the latter road offers
4 business over this line to Savannah, it
| would be refused. Considerable cotton
] came to this city last year by that route.
/ It's withdrawal from the pool, however,
may affect its relations with that road
| this season."
''What 90 you think is the best plan to
| be pursuedg"
Il think the best plan is that suggested
| by the MORNING News on Thursday,
| That the Central should make the issue.
| 1t might run its stock down little, but
that is about the only injury it could do.
| Mr.. Wadley saved the road by letting its
stock 90 down to the 30s. In a railroad
| war stock spectators cannot be cOnsid-
| cred, and legitimate holders of stOck can
| not be permanently injured"
| "DO you think the East Tennessee, Vire
! ginia and Georgia is able to make a sue
| cessfuI fight with the Central on trans
| pOrtatiOn to Eastern pOints?'
''That remains to be seen. They would
not be likely to 90 into fight without
| some means to carry it through"
do you believe the East Tennessee,
! Virginia and Georgia will eventually be
forced to make an outlet to Savannah by
| its own linesg'
sit is not at ali unlikely that this will
be done. In event the road is swamped
at any time it is probable that it will go
| under new management and will become
a strong corporation. Savannah is the
| natural outlet for the territory in which
| it completes with the Central, and direct
line here would be the means of solving
/ the problem. The fight would then be
over equal lines. The efforts of each road
! to secure business would be very benef-
| cial TO Savannah. They would probably,
| to a certain extent. work together, but to
/ make money for their stockholders they
would have to reach out and get more