The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1894-06-01
A GIGANTIC RATE WAR.
SOUTHERN RAfLKoSDs ENTER Ixxo
rrGHr FOR BLoOD
Several Companies Announce Sixty Pes
Cent. Reductioa--Pssseagcr Rates 70
stand-Hfstory OF tho War.

MEMPHIS. TENN. May 3i.-The most
sigantic rate war In the history OF rail-
roading In the southern States has
broken out, and every road south OF the
ONO and Potomac rivers. ard some Ok
the eastern, are involved. The trouble
mas been brewing Tor some time. Three
or -FOUR lines have been secretly cutting
rates on eastern business FOR a month
past, thereby reaping a rich harvest. The
other roads soon discovered the cut and
demanded that the guereila warfare
cease. The Southern Railway and steam
snip Association was asked TO interfere
ahu put stop TO the rate cutting, but
ebaiih man Stahiman was unable 20 bring
ABOUT a settlement and advised the roads
that nau stood by the agreement 10 10
into the fight for blood.
sVi \ % 81 Du TON.
AS result the Louisville and Nash
VINE ana East Tennessee Virginia and
Georgia, Tennessee Midland the Kansas
SSlty, memphis and Birmingham. ana the
Nashville, Chattanooga and 81. Louis
railroads to-day posted a notice that a
reduction OF 81 per cent. on frclsht 10
ana from eastern points would take ef-
feet June 1st.
The notice OF the cut created no IT.
tie excitement In railroad circles. but IL
was not thought that passenger rates
would be disturbed. The idea was diss
PEELED this afternoon, however when
the Tennessee Midland posted a notice Of
sweeping cut In passenger tickets 10
eastern and northern points.
The Louisville and Nashville promp,ly
met the reduction. and announced that
X was in the fight TO the finish
The other lines have not met the pas
senger cut yet, but they are expected 10
do so tomorrow.
Cut of 30 Per G mt. Lik-tx.
BALTIMORE May 3l.--A bitter freight
rate war is on between the southern
,alIr9ad ana steamboat companies. Last
MONDAY several OF the companies cut
their rates 20 per cent, and now the
Merchants' and Miners TRANSFORMATION
Company announces further cur OF
neariy oV per cent. Ia go into effect next
SUNDAY 90 Inc reduction is on all classes
or freights and for some time at least
southern shippers will enjoy lower rates
than ever known before. Efforts have al
ready been started by the officials OF
transportation companies to reach some
amicable agreement, and call has been
issued for general meeting In the latter
part of June.
HISTORY OF THE WAR.
The history OF this war is an inter-
esting one. FOR a number OF years the
Southern transportation Companies. both
railroad and steamship, have been united
In the Southern Railroad and steamship
Association. This has maintained uni
formity OF rates and prevented any cut
or wars. Last summer the merchants
and Miners Transportation Company. OF
this city, Withdrew from the association
upon the ground that IL did not approve
Of some of the rcts OF the management.
A few other companies also withdrew from
the association about this time. The
freight rate was. however maintained by
the Withdrawing company and no fight
was then precipitated. A few months ago
the l.. and n. road got into a wrangle
with the Queen and Crescent Route, and
withdrew from the association. This with
drawal had been proceeded by that OF tho
Norfolk and Western road The l.. and
n. promptly began cut-rate war. This
has been followed by the action OF the
Merchants and Miners Company, which
will either force a settlement OF the war
or cause its competitors TO handle freight
at ruinously low figures.