The morning news. [volume] (Savannah, Ga.) 1887-1900, 1888-03-07
TO OPPOSE LOWER RATES
THE FIGHT BEFORE THE GEORGIA
RAILROAD COMMISSION.


ously Opposed by the Central and
Savannah. Florida and Western
People-Gen. Alexander in Favor Of
a Graded Tariff-General Manager
Haines' Views.
The action of tie Western and Atlantic
road in grading its passenger rates to a
minimum of exc per mile for the entire
distance of its line, has created some stir in
railroad circles. and the reduction evidently
governed the State Railroad CommiSso in
issuing its circular last Friday. The com
mission announces that on next Tuesday it
will meet to consider the propriety of re-
adjusting and equalizing the passenger fares
on the railroads doing business in
the State.
1t has been announced that Chairman
Wallace, of the State commission, is au-
thority for the unofficial statement that a
schedule has been prepared establishing a
uniform standard of 2J5c per mile for
passenger traffic, which will be submitted
to the representatives of the different rail
roads who have been invited to meet the
commission at Atlanta next Tuesday
CAN'T STAND THE REDUCTION.
If the views of the railroad men in other
parts of the State correspond with those
entertained by railroad men here the propo-
sition will be very earnestly opposed.
Interviews with prominent officials Of the
Central railroad and the Savannah, Florida
and Western lead to the same conclusion
with reference to the cut of the Western
and Atlantic-that the road is a short one,
running through a population Of greater
density than the South and Southeastern
roads of the State, and that owl g
to the volume Of passenger traffic
over that line the road can be operated
more profitably at the cut rate that it has
made than more extended systems in
the State, whose lines do not pass through
as thickly settled territory. With this view
it would be manifestly unfair to grade the
passenger traffic of a road running through
Sparsely settled districts to conform TO
snort line running through a closely settled
area and affording abundant passenger
traffic to warrant the reduced rates.
FAvoRs A GRADED TARIFF.
Gen. Alexander, President of the Central
Road, said last night the Central will be
Represented at the Tuesdays meeting, either
by General Passenger Agent Charlton or
some one connected with his department
Gen. Alexander said that he is in favor of a
graded passenger tariff. He was the first
railroad manager in the South to inaugu-
rate reduction 20 Sc. per mile, in Louisiana,
Georgia and Alabama He thinks it no
more than right chat for long distances the
tariff should be less than for short dis
tances. He instanced Eden as a short
distance point from Savannah where
the rate should be no lower than Sc per
mile and that no passenger could reasonably
complain of being charged Soc. for 10-mile
ride. A man travelling 800 miles, he said,
Very reasonably expects to be carried for
less than 50. A rate of BIC per mile from
Savannah to Macon would not be CORES
pondingly less than the &c. per mile rate for
the l0-mile distance. Gen. Alexander stated
that the Central railroad has recognized it
as a good policy to give such reduced ria ties
for long distances as would encourage in
creased travel. There are localities how
ever, where roads cannot be very probably
operated at &c. per mile.
sECoND-CLAss TRAINS
He suggested another feature to which he
has been giving some thought, and that
is the prOpriety of introducing a second
class system of fare, in which cheaper ac-
commodations will be furnished the travel
ing public. In this case those who do not
want to pay the maximum passenger tariff
which the expensive system of first-class
travel entails can travel more cheaply on
t9sS expensive trains.
Gen. Alexander was asked if the passen-
ger tariff was graded in the manner he had
suggested it would not have q tendency to
lead to poorer accommodation. In reply he
said that he thought it would not. The
Southern lines were never so well euuipped
with fast and sumptous trains as now, the
volume of through travel was never greater
and yet lower rates and concessions have
been made to attract tourist and immigrant
travel. 1t has not been his policy nor that
of the Central to adhere to an arbitrary
tariff on long distances because the State
fixed the &c. rate, but where passengers
could not be carried probably for short
distances, the road has awaited itself of the
fixed tariff of the commission and has
charged Sc per nile.
WANTS A FAIR ADJUSTMENT.
The Central railroad, as may be inferred
by Gen. Alexander's position, will only ex-
pect of the commission fair adjustment,
and that III fixing the rate no arbitrary
tariff be fixed, based upon voluntary
tariff established by short line situated
more favorably than some parts of the Cen
trail system for a less volume of local passen-
ger traffic.
There will be meeting of the CentraPs
Board of Directors here to-day, and the
subject will no doubt be fully discuss d and
plan of action determined upon. 1t is
safe to say, however, that the Central will
not favor a uniform rate of 2I5c. per mile
regardless Of the distance Travelled
VIGOROUS KICKERs.
General Manager Haines, of the Savan-
nah, Florida and Western railway, was
asked what the attitude of his company is,
If it would be represented before the com
mission, and by whom. In reply he said
that his road will be represented by General
Passenger Agent Hardee. ITO any PROPOSE
ton establishing a standard of PIC. Der
mile" said Col. Haines 1--WE shall kick
vigorously. l don't know that can express
our opposition to such plan any clearer if
j would talk an hour on the subject than
when l say we will be vigorous kickers
There is a certain point where railroads can
be operated with profit, and when it reaches
he215c. standard the point is passed. When
the cost of operating the road is considered
there will be nothing left for the COMPANY
Col Haines was asked why the Savan-
nah, Florida ana Western differed from the
Western and Atlantic, which had volun-
tarily reduced its passenger tariff.
WILL OPPOSE ANY REDUCTION.
To this he replied that he knew nothing
of the Western and Atlantic He had never
been connected with it and had seldom tray
eled over it. II is only a short system, he
added, through part of the State whore
there might be local traffic to warrant it,
He has only considered the subject from a
knowledge Of his own road and what terri
tory it must depend on to be profitably oper-
ated for its stockholders. The proposed re-