Savannah morning news. [volume] (Savannah) 1868-1887, 1884-08-21

~ Nv NOT an EA2&EN~cANN -
The outlook now is that there will oe
war of rates between at least some Oh ing
roads which compose the Southern pool
There can be but one purpose in the pro-
,,,.,,1 ,,-,tbdrayvaI Of the East Tennessee,
VIRGINIA and Georgia Road from the pool.
The purpOse Of the road is, doubtless, 10
control much larger share Of the trade
Of the territory tributary to it than 1t now
does. and to enjoy the full dement's Of that
which it proposes TO control. Under the
circumstances it is not easy
10 see how n rate war can
he avoided. As far as this city IS con-
cerned there will be, perhaps, no reason
10 regret il If il shall occur WINE Il i
better. perhaps. for commercial interests
and railroad shareholders that rates, Wneh
reasonable. should vary as little as pos
sibIe- vet there are occasions when rate
cutting is productive Of benefits. Inc
proposed withdrawal Of the last lehlies,
see. virginia and Georgia from the poo,
PROMISES to be one of these occasions, anu
savannah will be the recipient Of the
benefits.
Tho withdrawal Of the East Tennessee,
yirgfnia and Georgia will force an issue
with the Central at Onee-an issue which
the Central ought not 10 be slow 70 accept.
Why should it be slow to accept it, or feel
any apprehension about il whatever:
The position OF the Central is about I'M
pregnable. 1t controls the railroad sys-
TENS Of the cotton belts Of Geor-
gia and Alabama, and by reason
Of its freight arrangements with
railroads in other States 1t mas
a strong hold on the carrying business Of
this section of the South. Its tracks,
equipment. depOts, and terminal facilities
are equal 10 those of any road in the coun-
try. In connection with its superb sys-
tenn Of roads it has thoroughly organized
| steamship lines. With all Of these facili-
ties and advantages it is in a position to
/ regard with comparative Indifference any
| attempt 10 wrest from it any part Of the
/ business Of its territory.
4 It certainly has little to fear from the
/ East Tennessee, Virginia and Georgia,
/ which makes a long detour, containing
| heavy grades, 10 reach Norfolk, its north
! ern terminus.
/ The thing for the Central to do is to
! meet the issue which the East Tennessee,
/ Virginia and Georgia has made boldly,
/ and even aggressiyely. AT the first act OF
/ hostility it ought to reduce its rates
/ on all the lines of its system.
/ The reduction ought TO be so radical
that any attempt at competition would
I be practically useless. 1t would not be
+ long before the East Tennessee, Virginia
I and Georgia would find it very unprOhta-
I bic business hauling cotton to Norfolk at
I the rates it would be compelled to accept.
4 But by such an aggressive policy would
i the Central lose anything: Not much
perhaps 1t wouldn't lose anything. 1t is
probable that its gross receipts would be
! largely increased because it would almost
! certainly haul a tn ird more cotton during
the cotton season. Where it would gain,
/ however. would be IN proving its abso-
lutte supremacy in the territory that is
/ naturally tributary to it. The benefits
/ that would flow from the acknOwledg.
/ ment Of that supremacy are worth making
sacrifices for if they should be necessary
But how would Savannah be benefited
Al
would be Savannah's gain, 1t would not
be surprising if Sayannah's cotton re-
ceipts would reach 100000 bales this
season if the Central should pursue the
policy that we have outlined. We might
not get quite so much next year if the
rates should be restored, but a great
many shippers, having had their atten-
ton turned in this direction, would con-
tinue to send their cotton here.
OF course an increase in our cotton re-
ceipts would cause an increase in all
branches Of the business Of the city. Our
merchants would get the trade of the ter.
ritory which furnished the additional cot
ton. In fact, taking advantage Of the low
freights they could widen out their bust
ness immensely. The Central would
share in this general prosperity which il
( created. Its field of operations would be
widened and its influence and power
| greatly increased.
There is no good reason why the Cen
traI should ask any fayors Of the East
/ Tennessee, Virginia and Georgia, loaded
down as it is with liabilities, or allow il
TO pursue any policy which the Central
does not sanction. 4 bold, aggressive
policy when the contest begins, is certain
to win a victory for the Central which viii
be Of incalculable value to it.