Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1896-11-23
r A E w A r A G Al N
Traffic Duel Impending Between Seaboard
and Southern.
Views Of Vice President st. John
The Flan to Run Through Trains to
New Orleans-Seaboard's Aim.

NORFOLK, Va, November %, 1896.
II any evidence was needed to confirm the
news published in The Star of Saturday
that desperate fight is impending ind
apparently will soon break out between
the Seaboard and the Southern railway
companies, 1t is to be found in an interview
which a Star correspondent had today with
Vice President and General Manager ST.
John Of the first-named company. The
price Of peace, as Is to be inferred
from Mr.. st. Johns remarks, is the
withdrawal of the Southern's steamer
line between Baltimore and Norfolk ard the
granting of the demand of the Seaboard
which has been pending for several years
to allow the latter to run its trains between
New York and New Orleans.
1t Is pretty safe to conclude that the
Southern will not comply with the first de.
| mand. and IT is said that the railroad COM
panies interested cannot gran; the latter;
SO unless a compromise is effected hostili-
ties will be the certain result.
The Seaboard Air Line" said Mr. St
John, wil! demand from its competitors
all the privileges accorded to any other
railway company, and, failing 20 receive
them Will resort 10 such means 10 enforce
its demands as may be deemed wise and
just by the directors OF our company"
This remark may be considered as a prac-
teal declaration of war against not only
the Southern, but every other transpor.a-
ton line that will not accede 10 the re-
quests OF the Seabcard to the fullest eX-
tent. provided the granting of them would
not bring the road SO requested into con-
Met with the other lines with which it has
traffic arrangements.
IF the Southern Railway COMPANY wants
to preserve the peace between itself and the
Seaboard Air Line, it knows exactly what
to do, continued Mr.. st. John.
Does that mean, was asked. that the
Southern must withdraw its steamer limo
between Baltimore and Norfolk, which it
recently established at sucn large ex-
pense?"
As TO that replied Mr. St John, u
have nothing TO say. but repeat the South
ern knows exactly what TO do
Through Line to New Orleans.
What about the wish of the Seaboard
| as expressed some time ago by its officials
TO run through cars between certain points
where il does not row have the privilege -,
l. !. The Seaboard Air Line announced some
| months ago., Mr.. ST. John answered that
IT wanted TO run through passenger coaches
| from New York to New Orleans. 1t still
| wants :aat right, and l trust its officers will
| have the courage TO insist upon and de-
| mand that they have the right to do so, for
| the Seaboard has as much right to have
| this done for ii as the Southern has to
| have'its cars hauhed by various companies
between New York and New Orleans on
| control. do not look upon the concessions
which We have said we wanted in the light
| Of favor. l consider that the Seaboard
has the right 10 demand any and every
accommodation that is extended by any
and every line to- either the Southern or
| any other competitor of the Seaboard.'
Are we to look for a speedy renewal Of
hostifities between the Scaboard and The
Southern ,...,.,.,,
That" replied Mr.. ST. John. depends
| entirely upon what the Southern may do. If
| il does anything. TO change the existing
| condition of affairs. AS i said before, they
| know what steps II is necessary for them
| to take to restore harmony. Right here i
| wish 20 say. and l want TO say it to the
| world through The Evening Star, that
| the impression which has gotten abroad
| that the Seaboard is always anxious
| to fight its competitors is an errone-
Gus one. Fhe Seaboard does not want
| rate wars, but we know our rights,
| and trust and hope we Will always be able
| to maintain and enforce them.
Those who are in position to know eN-
| pect the Seaboard people will renew the de-
mand made on the Southern last summer
| for the withdrawal of the line of steamers
Southern IS ahlishedz this line last summer,
| and it was accepted by the Seaboard as
enueaUsesfor-ssaraing the rate war
tha; This inendMnr1 woufii be made but it is
distinctly ,. sAasesed ~ railroad circles:
John. IN ,sihe<tatsryiew' above quoted. that
| the Seaboard wants TO run its cars be
| tween NGwsfofk and New Orleans upon
| the same termx .and-csnditions are ac-
| corded by the various railway companies
interested to the Southern makes il almost
certain that the Pennsylvania will soon be
| come involved in the pending controversy
unless II will consent to haul the Sea-
| boards cars between Washington and New
York; and which under an agreement eX-
| listing with the Southern the Pennsylvania
| is said to be prohibited from doing. The
Louisville and Nashville and the Southern
have, it is understood similar traffic ar
rangementS for the operation of trains be
tween Montgomery and New Orleans, and
so it is likely the Louisville and Nashville
would find itself involved in difficulties
With-fhe Seaboard also.