The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1894-02-27
AN ADVERSE REPORT.
TIE Richmond AND MAN%sSAs H. a.
cHARrEK OPPOSED. w
Interesting s,..c,ss Made by Major Hey-
srs. Major Randolph, and othsrs-A
Close Vote in the Committee.

The Senate Committee OH Roads met
yesterday afternoon in the senate Cnani-
ber the Committee on FINANCE 'De'"s
present. TO cons,d-- the bill to charter
the Richmond and Manassas rairoad'
The Senate Chamber was filled with in
teres,ed snoc,ators among whom were
a delegation from Freiericksburs anu
a number Of Richmond business men,
Major f. r d Myers. president of the
Richmond Fredericksburg and Potomac
railroad. who was about 70 SPEAK r'''"'
when the committee adJourned' loon sne
floor. He stated that ne had oeen WI"
the road for twenty-five years ana re-
lated how he had come up iio''i
ordinate positfon 20 the presidency anu
gave an CutIine history OF the operations
and policy az the road during that time,
including aftacks made on II by other
railroads Referring 10 the charge in
former meeting OF the committees Oh IN
creased and oppressive 1relsht Tateo
since an agreement had been entered
into between his railroad and the old
Dominion Steamship line, he said he
couried Investigation. and called on Mr..
Charles 4 Tavlor traffic manager of the
Richmond. Fredericksburg and Potomac
railroad, 10 state whether the rates were
higher ever the Richmond, frederlcks-
burg and Potomac from New YORK
TO Richmond than over other ROADS.
Mr.. Taylor stated that the rates 10
Columbia and other points SOUTH Oh
equal distance as New YORK, were several
times higher and that rates 10 Rlchmond
from New York were lower than they
were from New York 20 Washington.
He also stated that the rate Oh flour,
tobacco. whisky and some other items
were lower than they were previous to
the ARRANGEMENT with the steamship line,
and that the rates generally were lower
than they were before, tho railroad
traffic being about - per cent. and the
Old Dominion ~ per cent.
Formidable Comp-'itor.
Major Myers here said that the Old
Dominion was a very formidable com
petitor. and that the business that they
had secured was wrested from il az
sometimes ruinous rate and that owing
10 the splendid terminal facilities of the
Old Dominion at both New York ana
Richmond the steamship line often
landed freight here as quickly as the
railroad Major Myers also impressed
the fact that il Is the water line always
and not the railroads who fix the rates.
Mr.. Taylor stated In reply to ques-
ton that the rate sfrom New York to
Petersburg was the same as it is TO Rich
mond.
To another question he stated that the
local passenger rate was three cents a
mle--the same as the principal roads in
the country; that the rate to New York
was SO each way, bu. his line had IA
vored round trip ticket to New York
for Sl6 but that ~ was opposed by the
Pennsylvania. 1t was also shown through
what Mr.. Taylor said that railroad rates
were all controlled by freight ass0cia-
tions. even where there are number of
competing lines.
Major Meyers said that the railroads
have ascertained that there was more
money in combination than in comDeti-
ton, and that every railroad running
out of any city Of large size was doing
the same thing, and II the Richmond
Fredericksburg and Potomac was con-
demned for such methods there were
plenty of sinners to go along with it.
He held that the Richmond. Fredericks-
burg and Potomac had done its full duty
as a railroad line for Richmond. and that
il had been a valuable piece OF property
to the State ever since it was built. He
said that the property was held one
fifth by the State, some by wealthy Balti'
mOreans a large part OF the balance by
rich Philadeiphians. Then putting 1t dif-
ferently, he said that the state OF Nir-
ginia's ownngs were seventeen per cent.
while the citizens Of Virginia held twenty
eight per cent. and thirty per cent. oil
the latter belongs TO women.
Major Meyers said that the Richmond
Fredericksburg and Potomac had don'
its whole duty to its stockholders Uh'
State being one of them, and that there
was no foundation for the reports thai
Il had been done by oppression or thai
il had INSTRUCTED progress, and he show
| ed by his annual report that the pas
senger and freight rates since 1880 mac
been greatly lowered, and the amount
of traffic increased ten fold. He SAID
the line was absolutely an Independent
line free from all outside control.
Major Rando phi.
Major Norman V. Randolph mex
spoke. and said that the citizen
of Richmond had nothing agains
| the Richmond. Fredericksburg an
| Potomac except that il was VIZ
tually under the control Of the Pennsyl
vania railroad. Major Meyers interrupte
him TO say that the Pennsylvania I'm
owned neither stock, bonds or other obi
cation of the Richmond. Fredericksburl
| and Potomac Major Randolph salu I'M
was so, but that the pennsylvania roa
| fixed the rate of every pound OF frelsh
that the Richmond. FREDERICKSBURG an
| Potomac railroad hauled from Ne" iolh
and that II a charter was granted TOT I'M
new road he believed they wouid nave
line who could make competing RAJ
with the Pennsylvania, ana thAt III
seemed TO him the only saiVatioh Az
| Richmond against ruinous rates.
Major Randolph said that the reason III
| Old Dominion received ~ per cent
| Richmonds business was that our meT
chants looked on their water lire as incl
only salvation. and did everything the
could TO maintain It: that Whenever
| steamship lire made a rate the faliIoa
would always meet il. but that when the'
was no river or ocean route the rate wa
universally arbitrary.
Major Meyers stated on his honor as
gentleman, that there were no rates
use on his line except the printed scneuui
| He stated there were only two roads lroi
New York SOuth-the Pennsylvania an
the Baltimore and Ohio, and stated Una
he had heard that the Baltimore an
Ohio was behind this scheme, but ina
he would rather have it from the lips
Major Randolph.
Major Randolph replied that this guar
antec of 100000 should be sufficient; Una
they had never admitted or denied ina
the Baltimore and Ohio was behind IT, an
that It was unfair TO ask IT: that inc
had not asked for charter 10 any pom
except Manassas.
Mr. Round, of Manassas. presented
petition with 200 names Of parties IN ina
town and surrounding counties askih