The Norfolk Virginian. [volume] (Norfolk, Va.) 186?-189?, 1895-07-25
PORTSMOUTH ~ EMS
SEAsOARD-SOUTHERN.
what President Hoffman Has to Say
on the Boycott of the Southern
Railroad
From Atlanta Constitution July 29d.

vi tne boycott OF the Southern
Railroad
From Atlanta Constitution July ODD.
An emphatic denial comes from
President Il. &. Holman, of tho Sea-
board Air Line road, to the assertion
that the Southern has made any efforts
to get control of his line. Nor ia he
OF the opinion that the Seaboard Air
Line has been prosecuted by the
Southern In pushing a boycott for the
purpose OF depressing securities, with
tho idea of obtaining controlling in.
terest in the property.
President Hoffman arrived in Atlanta
yesterday afternoon at 4 o'clock from
Baltimore. The object OF his visit, he
says, is TO look after the affairs of his
rond during the exposition, and to
make arrangements .or the exhibit OF
the Seaboard Air Line. Shortly after
his arrival he rode out to the exposi-
ton grounds and made a thorough ex-
animation of all the buildings and
prospects.
"As far as know" he said, "this 10
oil wild, unreliable rumor about the
Southern road making efforts in any
way to obtain possession OF the Sea-
board Air lins. So far as L know there
has never boon any proposition made
OF any kind with q view to this pur-
chase. There has nothing reached me
officially of any desire on the part of
the Southern road to eject this deal.
L give no credcnce TO any rumor Of the
kind, and put it down az wild talk"
Naturally. President Hoffman ia of
the firm belief that the Seaboard Air
Line will como out with the colors
after the meeting in New York on
August 18th.
AS TO the soUTHERN's SCHEME.
When askod regarding the reported
effort OF the Southern to instigate and
push the boycott for the purpose of
depressing the securities OF the Sea-
board Air Line, MIR. Hoffman seemed
amused.
That proposition on thel face is, in
my opinion, absurd" he said. ut
would be impossible for one road to do
what ia charged to tho Southern. 1t
was not the boycott of the Southern
road alone, but the combined action of
ell the roads. 1t was the Southern
Railway aud Steamship Association
that carried on tbIs boycott against the
Seaboard Air Line, nnd TO aay that this
waa controlled by one road is an undue
presumption.
This is simply M opinion OF mine.
don't soc how such statement could
have gone out. AS to that controversy
on this subject l have nothing to cav.
| have nothing in the world to do with
it, But l will say that ! think the
Norfolk paper mado a mistake when it
quoted one OF our officials as having
said that the Southern was taking this
underhand way Of getting con troll OF
the Seaboard Air Line.
This boycott action was not the
work OF the Southern road. 1t was
the action of the whole association
directed against our road, and / cannot
believe that the Southern controlled
all"
Vice President st. John 10 also in
Atlanta. he was expected Yesterday
afternoon, but because of O DELAY at
Spartanburg did not arrive until late
last night. He went at once to the
Araeon, whore he was met by Presi.
dent Hoffman.
1t is said that Mr.. ST. John has under
preparation spicy reply to the last
letter OF President Samuel Spencer.
But MIR. st. John Is silent. he was
called upon last night aud refused to
say anything. Those who know bis
fire eating proclivities, however, sny
that he has atsaming communication
IN store for the president of the
Southern.