The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1896-07-16
A BIG WAR On IN RATES.
BALTIMORE STEAM PACKET CO.'S
NEWsERTICE TO RICHMOND.
The virginia" One of the Finest Nesseis
of the Old Bay Line, to Run From bai-
timore to Richmond on James River



line.
The Baltimore Steam Packet Company
which owns the magnificent feet OF
vessels called the Old Bay Line, on the
Chesapeake betw zen Baltimore ana lamp
ton Roads, is to begin Il service TO Kch-
mond by way o fthe aJmes ricer. II is
also announced that the company has
begun a war on rates. AMI that pasatn-
gers and freight VII he CARED at 4 great
reduction Three trips a week will be
made. the steamer topping at ola Point
Comfort en- route from Richmond 10
Baltimore.
The Bay Line or steamers. owrei ly
the Baltimore Steam packet company.
IS operated in connection with the Sea-
board Air Line. The latter system,
which comprises nearly 1000 miles
Of railroad. reaches the principal cities
Of the South. has extensive shipping IA
cilitios at Norfolk and Portsmouth. aud
is in n position 10 completely demoralile
the rate situation and secure the lion
share 81 the freight and passenger traffic
if h desires. IL reaches Chattanooga,
Atlanta. Wilmington. y. c., the prin-
cipal manufacturing centres. ~ IT'S own
lines and connections. and forms Sec
ton OF one of the great transportation
highways between tho North and the
South. This is why the determination OF
the Bay Line AMI the Seaboard Air
Line 10 stir up things % ts,sing such
alarm. not only to competi Is r.. ds. but
To other companies not directly inter
ested.
THE REASONS.
II is stated that the establishment OF
a James-rvcr service. and the cut-ratc
policy are caused by the determination Of
the Southern Railway CO. 10 encroach
upon the Bay Line territory by putting
ON a line Of steamers between Baltimore
and Norfolk The Bay Line has conse-
auontly withdrawn from the Virginia
Freight Association for the mainten-
ance Of rates. and the reasons are best
given I'm the following letter:
copy 900.
c. A. Chipley, Esq, Chairman V. F. A.,
Philadelphia, Pa:
Sub No. 1i3.
Dear Sir,-The York River Line having
notified ms OF their intention 10 occupy
the territory long accorded this company
by an transportation lines, which action,
in our opinion. being an uncalied-for at
tack unon our territory and revenue. we
are compellod. uuwillingly. 10 herewith
give thirty DAYS notice OF our with
drawal from the Virginia Freight Asso-
citation.
We desire 10 express 10 the assoc alton
and our friendly connections our sincere
regrets that the action of said company
makes this move necessary for our SELF
preservation. The traffic between Nor
l il
fairly remunerativc for our line. and II
divided means loss 10 both We have
| made every concession. consistent with
honor. agreeing 10 give them equal IA
/ cilitics and rates with the Atlantic Coast
Line. Soaboard Air Line and the Norfolk
and Western, treating them with strict
| mnartialitv as We have always accorded
our Southern connections.
I'm cur attempted negotiations. their
excuse developed 10 be that they did
not care 20 place their through business,
heretofore going via West Point In our
hands. At the suggestion of orr preHi-
dent. the Merchants and Miners Trans
nortati0n Company offered TO carry THIS
/ business. giving all facilities, etc. neces-
| sary. and at the same time President
| Hoffman offered 10 relieve them OF any
! expense already incurred. THIS wos de-
] fIINNlt iINn IlNhiNn AN'tt "tAt''f-'' '''-.'
/ determination 10 attack and deplete the
| revenues Of this company. The past
! history Of this corporation serves 10
| confirm this. and proves their intention
Of trying 10 control AN transportation
| lines south NJ Mason and Dixons line
/ 10 the dctriment OF all business interests
| I'm the South
There is but one thing for this CONF
| pany 10 do. which is 90 accept the posi-
/ ton. and protect our interests 10 the
/ best of our ability. and In determining
this question the future trade interests
| OF Baltimore with the South have not
been owes looked.
! This full explanation seems due 20 your
| association ami to AN our friendly connec-
/ tions. 10 the end that n the revenue OF
! their different companies be affected Sc
riouslv the blame cua be placed where II
/ properly belongs.
Yours rcspe fully.
(sisnob Il. W. THOMPSON.
REDUCTION ~ RATES.
As win Dee seen this statement OF Mr..
| Thompson's is business with big b, and
| it is very evident thar this company is in
| tire fight 10 stay IL has one OF the finest
/ and fastest fleets of steamers ever built
! los American ship-yards. the "ALabama. Do
| Georgia" and Virginia are large
/ powerful. and modern vessels. The first
/ TWO are i'm service between Baltimore and
| Hampton Roads. and the Virginia is
l 20 go on the BaltmOrc-RlchmOnd route
! 10 is stated that a big reduction In freight
/ rates is 10 Doe made at the outset The
/ Virginia" which will make three trips
/ week. beginning Friday July nth. is
one OF the finest OF the Bay Line she
/ s 900 tons, with accommodations for 800
/ passengers. including elegantly furnished
| statc-roOms. She is heated by steam.
! lighted by electricity, IS furnished i'm
/ mahogany and other fine woods. and
her decorations are in white and gold.
She will leave Baltimore on Mondays.
Wednesdays, and Fridays. i'm the after
noon. reaching Richmond the next fore
noon. giving Baltimoreans the best part
OF the business day IN Richmond and
enabling them 10 return so as to arrive
home the next morning IL they desire.
The pier of the James River route viii be
Pier 10, Light street in Baltimore.
THE VIRGINIA.
TIE Virginia" VIII be manned by
officers who are well known to many OF
our readers. William Porter. her cap
! tain. has been I'm service on the Chesa-
I peake Bay and James river over a quar-
ter Of a century. He has commanded an
the vessels ~ the Bay Line. at different
times and was formerly with the famous
Powhatan Line, on the James. which
included the steamers shirley and