Evening star., 1896-09-09
A New Freight Schedule Filed by
the Seaboard Today.
RAILROADERS And SHIPPERS PUZZLED
Neither Seem to Thoroughly Com
prehend the Present Situation.
COUR RTS MAY ERE

Inc preulctiOn made IN Inc star some
days ago that many of the railway lines
outside CT the territory controlled by the
Southern States Freight Association and
the Seaboard Air Line would become IN
volved In the present fight is being slowly
but certainly verified. and unless the courts
soon Interfere there is no telling where
the decentralization is likely to stop.
Yesterday the Atlantic Coast Line and
Norfolk and Western roads filed, as was
stated in The Star, notice of their intention
to reduce freight rates between Richmond
and Petersburg on the lines of the first
named company and Roanoke on those OF
the other to competing points on the Sea-
board, and now word comes from the
Louisville. Evansville and St. Louis road
that it will meet, from the west to points
In the Caroliras, the cut rate put in from
Baltimore by the Seaboard and the asso-
ciated lines. This action Is taken, 1t is
understood, to prevent business from west
ern territory going around by Baltimore
and thence into the south.
Today the 50 per cent reduction of rates
by the Seaboard goes into effect, and it
wall apply on that part Of its aystem from
Wilmington, N. c., to points in Georgia,
including Atlanta, Athens and other cities.
AS generally understood, the 35 per cent
cut In freight rates by both the Seaboard
and Southern applies only to Baltimore
and Norfolk and other Virginia points to
Atlanta, but, 1t is said, Ey a combination
or rates the same can be obtained from
New York.
Only Cut Rates to Atlanta.
1t is the understanding that through
rates will be cut only to Atlanta, and that
rates for points beyond Atlanta will be
made by charging local rates. This, 1t is
claimed. will be a violation of the long
and short haul clause OF the interstate
commerce law, jlst as much it was ana
Is claimed by the seaboard was done by
the Southern in its alleged discrimination
in points from Baltimore and Norfolk to
those north of Atlanta outside of certain
specified cities.
In speaking of this matter prominent
Seaboard official said his line VIII observe
the long and short haul clause to the let
ter and that they will not only comply with
the orders OF the North Carolina railroad
commission to reduce local passenger and
freight rates, but if the Georgia commits
sion thinks it wise, and they have the right
to compel similar reduction, his road viii
willingly obey it. lie thought, however,
he said, that the commission ought to re-
duce from the maximum, which is 10 per
cent higher than the Seaboard has ever
charged. The same Official said his road
would not be hurt much by the reduction
in local rates, as it only has about 100
miles in Georgia, while the Southern has
about 300 miles.
The effect in North Carolina WILL how
ever, be more serious foc the Seaboard, as
their read extends entirely across the state
LIUIu SUulHSdSl 10 uOIt:NcSI anu lCuCn6S
some of the most important lines, and
from which the cream Of thei. trade is
drawn.
The Southern. Seaboard and all other
roads in Georgia have received notice that
meeting of the state railroad commits
sion viii be held in Atlanta tomorrow to
consider the necessity Of adjusting a local
rate that will not be an unjust discrimina-
tion should the roads carry out their pro-
posed cut.
1t is rumored that another injunction
may follow the meeting of the commission
which would put another phase on the sit
uaticn.
PerPlexfng to Roth Parties.
A letter from Atlanta states that "the
rate situation is perplexing to the railroad
men and the shippers. The Seaboard and
the Southern have put in cut rates from
Baltimore and Virginia points TO Atlanta
and points along the seaboard. The Cen
trail Of Georgia and the Georgia road are
prepared to work business on the reduced
rates filed by the Southern States Freight
Association, but SO far the association has
not sent out any definite Instructions.
"A shipper asked the representatives Of
two roads about rates from the north to
some competitive point beyond Atlanta
and got two replies. One shipper tried to
get rates from a northern city to Atlanta
on sugar. The traffic men were puzzled to
know how to give the merchant the most
advantageous rate.
Another shipper asked at different Of
fees for rates on ffrst-ciass goods between
New York and Birmingham. One agent
said 1T would be at the old through rate
Another thought it would be the old stand
ard rate, less 33 per cent of the pro rata
from Portsmouth to Atlanta. A representa-
tive Of the Southern States Freight Asso-
citation said that he would quote a combin-
alton rate from New York to Macon and
tell the shipper to dray it across the coun-
try from the latter city.
THE regular rate from Baltimore to Ma
con Is $1.07. Under the reduction the ra lie
from Baltimore to Atlanta is 72 cents
When the freight is hauled by the Central
1t passes through Macon to reach Atlanta
II the freight stops in Macon 1t is charged
for at the rate of s1.O7 per 100 pounds. If
the freight should be brought on through
Macon to Atlanta the charge would be only
q cents. similar condition exists in ref
erence to such points es Charlotte Snar-
tanburg and Greenville
Macon and other towns are protesting
and threatening injunctions and Sing Sing
II they don't get cut rates, too. Hence it
IT mat neither the associated lines nor the
association officials know wfer they are.
AT the meeting Of the state railroad
commission tomorrow inquiry will be made
into the effect of the reduction in through
1t Is expected that the meeting will no
very largely attended, as the subject is a
very important one for the roads, 1t is
generally conceded that they cannot stand
duced to correspond with the cut in the
through tariffs. Some of the roads belong
Ing to the association made q very had
showing from july II to Angus. Is. and
their earnings fell off heavily. 1t is pre-
sumed that the roads will make vigorous
opposition to reduction in locals
New Freight Schedule,
The Seaboard Air Line took another sten
in the rate war today, and gave formal
notice Of a new freight schedule from Bal
timore to Atlanta, and all other points on
the line. This action does not cut present
rates. however, but forms a combination
of the tariff for-both its land and water
lines to meet the similar schedule the
Southern fled. The rate from Baltimore
to Atlanta Is now "a cents for first-class
freight against normal tariff Of q cents.
This includes the present tariff of five
cents on the Bay Line against the usual
f1rst-class rate of q cents. Several minor
roads feeding the west from the contesting
roads have filed notice Of schedules In
conformity with the cuts already made on
those two lines.
Died Suddenly.
William Brown, colored. seventy years