The Norfolk Virginian. [volume] (Norfolk, Va.) 186?-189?, 1896-08-27
The Executive Board Of The Association II
Is. Understood Takes No Action.
THE INJUNCTION is STILL IN THE WAY.
Tho Associated Reads Would BE Only
Too Glad ola Chance to Try to End
the Rate War by Means ofn Big
Slash, But They Are Powcrless
as Yet to Do Anything.

| ton held its second days session at
Chamberlin's Hotel, Old Point Comfort,
yesterday. The attendance had been
considerably augmented by the arrival
OF other freight traffic managers,
and the rate committee considered and
disposed OF a large amount OF routine
business.
The Executive Board, about which
the greatest interest centered. con-
vened at IL o'clock with Commissioners
Haines in the chair. and a majority Of
Its members present.
A few routine matters were considered
but no definite action was taken.
Then the subject for which the meet
ing of the Board was virtually called
to consider, was taken up. What the
associated transportation lines should do
to stop the destructive slashing of rates
and to restore a uniformity OF freight
tariffs was the burning question OF the
| moment
The debate was held behind closed
doors. but II is understood that 1t waxed
| eloquent In It's declarations against
| cut-rate competition. There were no
| dissenting voices from the general idea
| that the Association should take as
| promp1 measures to accomplish Its
purpose as the courts will allow. The
discussion lasted for two hours and the
conclusion which the Board was forced
| to by the legal status of the matter
was that until Judge Simonton's tenn
porary Injunction against the rate war
Is definitely settled. nothing can be
done.
The board therefore decided to post
pone definite action until a future
| meeting, to be held in New York at the
call OF the Commissioner. This meet
ing. 1t Is asserted on positive authority.
will be called Immediately upon the
permanent disposal Of Judge Simonton's
| injunction. 1t was expected that this
matter would have been settled before
the association met, when the roads
would have made their coup at once had
the decision been favorable to the right
of the roads to cut rates.
l The whole matter therefore remains
i precisely where II was before.
4 1t Is the universal opinion Of the men,
bers OF the Association, however, that
should the temporary injunction be
I withdrawn, the Board, at Its New York
meeting will promptly put into effect
the so per cent cut decided upon at the
Atlanta meeting a few months SINCE
l In that event the fight will be on
again in deadly earnest, and 1t is need
less to state that Its effects will be far
reaching.
the belief that the shortest way OF
stopping the war is to make It as fierce
as possible.
In discussing the situation with a
lVirginian man yesterday afternoon
Colonel Haines. the Commissioner, said
I'VE find ourselves tied up completely
by the injunction, which we were conf
dent would have been disposed Of by
now. The Association is powerless tc
act In the face of the courts. However,
he continued, sit is quite evident what
action will be taken by the Executive
Board should the injunction fall tc
stand"
"The condition of bay tariffs is. O,
course, chaotic at the present time, bu
that is the business of the water lines
Our members are all maintaining asso
citation rates. and will continue to d,
SO until the Executive Board takes fur
Their action"
"Condidering the cost OF handling
the freight. Bay routes are at presen
carrying their traffic practically free
such state of things, of course. hurt
the rail lines, who desire to protec
themselves, but their hands are tiet
until the court acts"
The rate committee will be In sessio,
LOT several days yet. It's work is purel,
routine, and now that the subject OF Gu
rates Is out of the way, will prove Yer,
unlnteresting. VEL
Inc southern railway yesterday pu
tnelr tug Piedmont at the dIsposal n
the visiting railway magnates. who on
1oyed a cruise on the bay and Hampto,
The Merchants and Miners Tug An
ing. =" '"e even
, Most Of the members of the Execu,;v
Soard, which adjourned yesterda
nave returned to their homes.