Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1896-07-22
P FACE MAY PREVAIL
The Southern Freight Association to Meet
Today.
Effort to HarmOnixe Differences Be-
tween the SenbOard Air Line and
the Southern Railroad.

The meeting Of the Southern States
Freight Association which takes place to-
day will undoubtedly be one Of the most
momentous in the history of the organiza-
ton or Of railway matters IN the entire
Union. 1t is hardly possible tia. con-
clusion will be reached LASTLY, ana ii Is
more than probable that the deliberations
will he procrlcted until tomorrow at least,
for the outcome means millions of dollars
10 the railroad and steamship lines of this
country.
In railroad circles no one doubts that
Vice Pres:Gen. st. John of the Seaboard
meant exactly what he said when he de-
ciarcd that his company was IN the war to
stay until the Southern was willing to
cede various transportation privileges
claimed TO be rights of the Seaboard.
The effect Of the fight, although it has
been going on for less than week, has al
ready been most disastrous in commercial
circles, and it is stated by persons well in
formed on the subject that business from
both west and east into the south is at
standstilI. Southern merchants who pur-
chase their supplies in the east and west
have in hundreds of cases suspended their
orders. they do not know what the
freight rates are to be from day to day,
and they want to secure the lowest rate
possible, and on such gonds as flour. pro-
visions and sugar this is matter of vast
Importance. as the man who had his goods
shipped at the time freight rates reached
the lowest point could many times easily
unGersell his rival in the same town or
city.
Peace May BE Restored.
Despite the fact that the Merchants and
Miners Transportation Comply, which for
many years has operated line of steam
ships between Baltimore and Boston and
between Baltimore and Savannah has join
ed forces with the Seaboard and has prom
ised 10 aid the latter to the fullest extent
of its power, there is a belief that the
executive board of the Southern States
Freight Association will try to patch up
the existing difficulty without further
fighting. The Seaboard's cut, which through
the action yesterday of the Merchants and
Miners Company, has extended to north
ern points, is in effect now, but stated
last evening by a prominent railroad Off
cial, there is evidently plan to try to in
duce peace between the contending parties.
ne program, said he. lis to get the d.
rectors of the Seaboard to change the pol
icy announced by President Hoffman and
Vice President St. John.
Pressure from Wall street and German
street will. it is said. be brought to bear
on the Seaboard's management, and if It
Is not successful. perhaps the pressure
Will be directed on the management of
other lines in the association.
The friends of the Southern argue that
as that road is far richer than the Sea-
board 1t can stand a longer fight. and
Will be certain to come out victorious in
the end 1t is possible that the holders
OF the securities of other railway lines
in the south may also get involved, they
are likely to object to the sacrifice Of their
revenues because of a fight between the
Southern and tine Seaboard. Readers of
The Star will remember that President
Saah ard in, stas
published several weeks ago concerning
the feud between his road and the South
ern, stated that the Southern wanted to
destroy his road and the old Bay line of
steamers as factors in the carrying trade
and the impression is growing that the
Southern intends to purchase a controlling
interest in the Seaboard, and thus remove
1t from the field of competition.