The Wilson times. [volume] (Wilson, N.C.) 1896-19??, 1896-07-24
Railroad Rate War.

BALTIMORE, July 2u.-lne war In
rates which was inaugurated last week
by the Baltimore Steam Packet Com
pany (Old Bay Line) and the Seaboard
Air Line against the Baltimore, Chesa-
peake & Richmond Steamboat Com
pany York River Line) and the South
ern Railway Company was enlivened
today by further slashing Of the tariff.
The Southern Railway Company to-
day met the reduction 33H per cent. on
passenger and freights TO points south
of Baltimore, whereupon the Seaboard
Air Line announced corresponding
reduction on all business from Boston,
Providence, New York and Phlladel-
phia to the South and tonight went
their competitors one better by cutting
33B per cent. more oh'the old rate from
Baltimore to Southern points The
single fare from New York to Atlanta
will be $500. The rate was formerly
$2400. From Baltimore to Richmond
and Norfolk Va, the rate is SI.0O as
against $500 before the war began. AS
low rates in proportion will be estab-
lished to all points as far south as New
Orleans, the cut of 33b per cent. in
freight rates covers all classes of freight
in the territory as far east as Boston.
This is the most sweeping reduction
ever made in rates by any Southern
line, and it is given out that it is only
started.
President R. C. Hoffman, of the S.
a. L., said to day: 1--WE are in the
fiht to stay. The controversy was
forced upon us agaisnt our will, and
whatever decentralization in rates ensues
will be upon the shoulders Of those who
made the issue and not u.s."
BALTIMORE, July 2l.-The Merchants
and Miners transportation Company,
which operates lines of steamships be-
tween this port, Savannah, Boston and
Providence, all of which call at Norfolk
and Old Point, Va, meet the cut Of 33A
per cent. on freightand passenger tariff
by the Seaboard Air Line and Southern
Railway Company, and officials of the
company assert that they will meetany
reduction in rates by their competitors.
AS an inducement to travellers to
patronize their line, the Old Bay Line
(Seaboard's connection) announces that
free berths will be given holders of
tickets to and from Richmond. The
Southern's new line to Richmond was
inaugurated last week. Nothing has
yet been said about meals, but it is pro-
bable that $l.O0 will buy transporta-
ton, state room and a meal on either
line before many days.
The Southern States Freight and
Traffic Association will hold special
meeting in Atlanta tomorrow to con-
slider the rate war and devise plan for
concerted action on the present twenty
FIVE rail and water lines, members of the
organization.
ATLANTA, Ca, July 21.ATwo policies
are advocated by the traffic officials who
are here to attend the meeting of the
Executive Board of the Southern States
Freight Association tomorrow. One
set favors meeting the Seaboard Air
Lines cut and making it apply to New
York and all Eastern points. There
are others who are opposed to meeting
the reduced rates, and these urge
mainten9 8ce of rates, so as to keep
high wa on either side of the seaboard
all along its territory. The latter
course, il D said, would soon break up
their association by the withdrawal of
western lines.
The State Railroad Commission of
Georgia to-day notified the Seaboard
that it had under consideration the
question of reducing the company's
local rates to correspond with the
through rates. This movement would
play right into the hands ofthe associa-
ton lines, but it would be so unpopular
with the public that it will hardly be
adopted.
No one can say what the association
will do tomorrow. The situation is
grave one for all the roads. The Sea-
board is in the war to win.
The Jefferson City Club, Democratic
organization ofSt. Lous, Mo-, endorsed
the Chicago platform and the nomina-