The Norfolk Virginian. [volume] (Norfolk, Va.) 186?-189?, 1896-09-05
THE WAR or THE ROADS
Cut Rates Of the Southern Railway and
S. A. |. Now In Effect.
DISTURBANCE OF RATES DEPLDRED
The Meeting of tho Executive Com.
nifttee of the Southern states
Freight Association I'm New York
and Itn Results Proposed 80 Per
Cent Cut Probably Not Abandoned.

The s. A. L. and Southern Railway put
their freight cut rates into effect to-day
The Seaboard Air-Line's new tariff of
passenger rates went into effect yester-
Gay, making lower rate in passenger
1aies than was in effect by the tariff pre-
Viously filed, and under which. by order
OF Judge Simonton. was Withdrawn Au
gust s. No freight tariffs have yet been
filed by the company.
The rate referred to above Is q reduc-
ton of 30 1-3 per cent. from regular
tariff rates. The first-class rates from
baltimore 10 Atlanta Is now T2 cents. and
from Norfolk 40 cents The Seaboard
Airline has also cut the passenger rate
from Portsmouth to Atlanta from SIS 25
TO IS, and has reduced it's price of mile
age tickets (2,0o0 miles) from $50 to $40.
The Seaboard's action was Immediately
foHowed by the lines in the Southern
States Freight Association, which We'd
nesday filed tariffs with the Interstate
Commerce Commission. meeting the
33 1-3 per cent. of that company the re-
duced rates to apply only from the same
initial points as those or the Seaboa rd
and TO be effective only to Atlanta and
functional points of that line
rms action was decided upon at the
meeting of the Executive Committee of
the Southern States Freight Association
held at the Marlborough Hotel in New
YORK Wednesday. Every line in the AS
sociation was represented at the meet
ing. the traffic managers us well as the
presidents OF several comIianies being
present. The meeting opened at II
o'clock and lasted until o'clock at night.
with an intermisson for lunch The re-
cent decision of Judge Simonton dissoly-
ing his temporary injunction against the
southern lines was thoroughly consid-
cred. There was a long discussion over
the most advisable policy for the lines
In the Association to pursue. At the
sime the temporary injunction was
granted the lines in the Southern States
Freight Association were preparing to
enforce cut of SO per cent in rates to
Atlanta and common points with the
Seaboard AIRLINE. 1t Is known that the
managers OF some of the associated lines
recently advocated the enforcement OF
this cut. in case the Seaboard renewed
the fight. as the most speedy and effec-
ual method OF bringing that company to
terms. 1t was greatly deplored by all
members of the committee that any dis
turbance of rates whatever should be
occasioned Just at this time when the
seasons business was about 20 begin. 1t
was urged, however, that II would he
impossible for the lines in the Associa-
tion to attempt to charge s1.O7 against a
rate of I2 cents by the Seaboard, and it
was voted 10 meet the rates OF that line
but to go no further.
The New York Times in spcakins of
the meeting SAYS:
1T was limited in Southern circles that
II the war assumes dangerous prOpor-
tons some of the lines will be forced into
receivership. but this is regarded as very
remote at present. The proposed so per
cent, has not yet been abandoned. and In
view OF the fact that the Seaboard has
managed to work up such n profitable
sympathy among shippers, the associat-
ed INES VIII have to adopt radical mea
sures to meet existing conditions. Some
OF the lines still advocate a sweeping
cut. but there Is little likelihood thai
me Seaboard will go much below a so
per cent. reduction. The situation l.
growing very interesting.