The morning news. [volume] (Savannah, Ga.) 1887-1900, 1895-02-28
WILL BE A CONFERENCE.
RECEIVERS YOUNG AND COLLINS
TELL WHY THEY DO NOT
RESTORE FARES.

They Charge the city aud Suburban
and Its Other Lines With COmbin-
ing and Compiling TO Wreck the
Property of the Electric Railway
Company Now in the Hands OF the
COurt-They Are Directed to Con-
fer With the Authorities OF the
Rival Companies and See what
Can BE Done TO Restore the Five
Cent Fares.
In their answer TO the petition Of n. A.
Pevear 10 show cause why they should not
restore fares to the old rate Of cents.
Receivers Young and Collins yesterday
made some interesting statements to the
United states court with regard to the
fight between the street railroads that
is now in progress.
The receivers Of the Electric railway
admitted all the allegations contained in
the petition and said they would sub
init themselves TO the direction Of the
courA They said that the fares charged
at present are unusual and ruinous. and
that the property is losing much money in
consequence Of them. on account Of the
very large number Of people attracted by
the low fares. the rolling stock Of the
lines, they say, is suffering much wear
and tear.
But they state that they are unable
to rectify this trouble on account Of the
conduct Of the City and Suburban and
Savannah, Thunderbolt and Isle OF Hope
railroads, "a corporation, in the language
Of the answer. operating lines in Sa-
vannah ana Chatham county, which have
combined and conspired TO wreck and de-
stroy the property in the hands Of this
court, by reducing fares to a point where
all Of said lines are operated at a serious
loss"
The receivers say they have made ev-
cry effort to induce those in control of
these rival lines to restore the rates to a
living basis, but the latter have steadily
refused to comply. The lines in the
hands of the receivers are 50 located,
they say, that should they raise the rates
as requested TO do. the discrepancy would
be so great as to take from them most Of
their legitimate business. They deny that
the action of the rival lines is based on
legitimate competition, and say their only
object is to crush out the competition af-
forded the public and contemplated by the
legislature Of Georgia, and thus enable
themselves. the rival lines, TO have a
complete monopoly Of the street railroad
business in Savannah.
They state that the capital stock Of the
rival companies Is almost wholly held
by George Parsons and J. N. Hartman,
the former Of whom is represented to be
a wealthy man. and both of whom are
directing the warfare against the proper
ties In the hands Of the court, trusting
to their greater resources to stand the
consequences of any loss" The receiv-
ers proclaimed their willingness to re-
store the fares, but requested that IN
so doing the court would protect the
properties against the unlawful and IL
legal combination and conspiracy of the
City and Suburban and Savannah, Thun-
derbOlt and Isle Of Hope railways.
An order was presented the court by
Messrs. Charlton, Mackall and Anderson,
attorneys for the receivers, and after a
consideration of the questions involved
1t was signed by Judge Speer. 1t directs
the receivers of the Electric railway to
communicate at once with the authorl-
ties of the rival line named, and make
a proposition looking to the establishment
of such just and reasonable rates as will
enable the property In the hands of the
receivers to be operated without loss.
The receivers are to report to the court
forthwith the result of this conference,
and II viii probably be decided within
day or two whether fares are to remain
as they now stand, or are TO be restored
to the old rate.
Mr. Hartman was asked last night
what the City and Suburban win do.
1--WE shall await the result of the case
In court was Mr.. Harriman's reply. 1.-The
other side" he added began the fight
against us and we simply met them"
"Will the fares on the City and Subur-
ban and Coast lines be likely to go up to
cents again." Mr.. Hartman was asked.
Il think not" he replied. IF anything
the fares on our lines will be put on a
mileage basis. The Belt line, for in
stance, gives a long ride, say for nickel.
on our Abercorn and Whitaker street belt
we would make a fare correspondingly
less, according to the distance. l do not
think it likely that the fares on our short
lines will so back to cents in any event"