The Memphis appeal. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1886-1890, 1889-06-14

anu lucNltdply De muQc III IhucsI III sWO VI
three years at farthest will be a vast one,
but 1t should not be expected or demanded
that the rates should be put on such
basis as would make railroad property I'M
profitable, and thus put 1t out oil the power
OF the railroud corporations to furnish TO
the travelling public and to the mercantile
public generally the first class facilities
which the public at all times demand and
which the railroads are at all times desir-
Gus OF afiording. The mission OF the West
err q Atlantic, therefore, should not be
considered as one to destroy, but as one to
secure fairness ofrates That 1t would be
able to destroy, / will give one example:
wHAf THE ROAD CAN DO.
''The present rate on grain from Cincin-
natl, Louisville land other Ohio River
points TO Chattanooga is 10 cents per 100
pounds. The rate from Memphis TO Chat
tanooga is Is cents--the Memphis Il
Charleston Road having insisted on diff
ferential OF A cents being maintained. Sup
pose the boats reduced, as within q few
years they almost certainly will do, the Ohio
River rate to 10 cents. II the Memphis *
Charleston Road determines to still main
tain that differential il will have TO make
the rate from Memphis 10 Chattanooga
(3l0 miles, O cents per 100 pounds. This
would hardly pay the cost OF carriage. II
the Western 4 Atlantic Railroad was forced
into fight it could charter boats which
would make the rate from Ohio River
landings TO Chattanooga about Cor cents,
and reduce all rates on Tennessee River
business whore II is paralleled by the
Memphis x Charleston Road, and you can
see that the Memphis x Charleston Rail-
road will be practically bankrupted.
Let us look further lnaslnuch as the
Tennessee River is now navigable during
portion OF the year, for small boats, from
Chattanooga TO Knoxville, and as the Gov
eminent will almost inevitably continue
the appropriations for opening the Ten
nessee River between those two points for
all the year round navigation, the West
ern x Atlantic Railroad, II forced into n
fight by the East Tennessee, Virginia &
Georgia Railway, could, by the aid OF
boats. on all business originating between
Knoxville and Chattanooga, including
Knoxville, deal q staggering blow to its
great rival, and one which would force IL
TO terms in hurry. The East Tennessee
Road, you will observe, would not only
lose the handling OF the business from
Knoxville and other points to Chattanooga
in many instances. but il would lose much
OF il from those points to Atlanta, Macon,
Brunswick, Florida points, etc, and what
il did retain would be on ruinous rates.
"The public would soon be informed
whether or not the Western 4 Atlantic
werc living by the grace of forbearanco Of
its immediate competitor or whether
the reverse were the case.
"You will note that have not dealt d.
reclly with the question rs to what sort
OF factor the Chattanooga, Rome x Column
bus Railroad would be. have considered
that il is very natural to suppose that il
that corporation extends IFS line into South
Georgia, as ii is its intention 10 do, IL will
then have Eastern rs well as Western in
terests, and will be disposed to protect
both. II not, and II ii got TO disturbing
rates, 1t could without any question, be
purchased by the owners of the gigantic
combination all around II, for II they have
had tho power to purchase corporations
ten times us strong as il is, IL goes without
saving that they could purchase II II they
found II TO their interest TO put money into
doing 40.
Therefore, the Western & Atlantic
Railroad, II not sold by the State, is the
only road TO which the people OF the State
can look to certainly protect them from
monopoly. f
81 know II Is an old saying that the
boat lines make the rates and the rail lines
handle the bulmuks.' This will DO true in
the future as In the past; but il will also
| be true then n now that the rail lines will
be- ready 10 stand up 10 one another and
make some concessions TO one another, II
necessary, rather than force or allow ono
OF their number TO work with the boats
and disofganize the rates aud demoralizc
the business Of all the others.
"a while ago." continued Mr.. Brown,
81 referred 10 the lossees who are the sue
cessors OF the present company, because
cannot believe that tho Legislature OF
/ Georgia will be 50 short.sightcd ms TO sell
the road. In my opinion the State should
not, under any circumstances, part with
the ownership Of II, for when she does hcI
power to control IL and bring about the 10.
suits have referred TO, is gone.
81 wish TO bo emphatically understood
rs expressing no condemnation either d.
rectly or by innucndo upon the gentlemen
who own or control the other roads IN
Georgia or south Of the Ohio River.
believe that they are honest In their desire
aud determination 10 protect the in,ercs
which are conhded 10 their hands; and my
relationships with ali the gentlemen who
are In the same department ~ that which
represent, ~ well ~ others, have beer
OF the most pleasant character; but an