The gold leaf. [volume] (Henderson, N.C.) 1881-1911, 1896-09-10
ST. JOHN TALKS.
THE SEABOARD AIR LINES FIGHT FOR
THE PEOPLE.

ufacturers and Producers of the Ter
ritory Through Which 1t Runs-No
Reason That He Can See Why The |
Fight Should Not Continue-The
Question Solely Between the South
ern and Seaboard.
PORTSMOUTH, Va, Sept. I.-Vice
President ST. John, Of the Seaboard |
Air Line, was interviewed here this af
ternoon by reporter of the local
press in regard to Judge Smonton's
decision in the now famous railroad
injunction case.
Mr.. St. John said: 1.-The injunc
ton case brought by Recei.er Averill,
of the Port Royal & Augusta Rail
road, undoubtedly at the solicitation
of its probable future owners, the
Southern Railway, who desired TO find
some means of enjoining solvent and
prosperous railroad, the SeaDoald Air
Line, from making reduced rates in its
own protection, and also of enjoining
itself against making an 50 per cent.
reduction which it voted for and
demanded in Southern States Freight
Association, together with Port Royal
& Augusta Railroad who voted by
proxy, but which it Was never intended
to put into effect, has come to an end,
and the victory is with the Seaboard
Air Line and the people, notwith-
standing the efforts of the Southern's
attorneys who argued from their stand
point in favor OF permanent injunc-
ton against a solvent railroads con-
trolling its own property in its own
way and in the interest of its owners
and the people whom it serves through
out the South. No one for moment
could have seriously believed that the
| decision would have been otherwise
than rendered. We live under re-
publican form of government and not
under a monarchial form of govern
ment, and decision other than that
rendered by Judge Simon,on seems
impossible. In dissolving the tempo
rary Injunction the Judge himself states
that he finds that his limited jurisdic-
ton stops him at the very threshold
from the temptation of entering upon
a discussion OF the interesting points
involved ETC., etc.
The reporter asked: "The injunction
having been dissolved, will the Sea-
board return to the rates in effect pre-
| viCus to the issuance of the training
order?"
| Mr.. St. John replied: "Why
should it not? The same conditions
exist now as at the time it was first is
sued. The Southern Railway con-
tinues its effort to destroy the rev.
enues and property of the Bay Line
and the Seaboard Air Line by main
tanning a line Of steamers upon the
Chesapeake which it can never hope to
operate but at heavy loss, while at
the same time causing very great loss
to existing lines upon the bay, who
have offered to handle the business on
the same equal terms which they
handle for all other lines, and yet they
will net assent. See published CORE
spondence. They try to throw the
veil over the eyes or the people by as
serting that it is necessary for them
to handle their business in steamers
owned by themselves, even at grea1
loss in revenue to their stock and
bondholders, undoubtedly arguing tina,
the losses on the bay amount to little
when distributed over the Southern Rail
way mileage in comparison with the
injury they will inflict upon the Bay
Line and the Seaboard Air Line. L
the people will only rest easy while
that process is going on and when the
money of their bankers permits the
control of Norfolk & Western Railroad
, Merchants and Miners's possibly the
Old Dominion Steamship Companies
} with the Bay Line and the Seaboaro
Air Line as a possibility, it NIGH
then be in position to devote add
, tional time and attention to State gov
ernments, and the people would be ir
its possible CONTROL"
sit is limited that the Southern
} States Freight Association is preparing
t tariff on the basis of 50 per cent
! reduction TO Seaboard competitive
points, ignoring the long and shor
haul clause of Interstate Commerce
law. In this event what will be the
= position of the Seaboard Air Liner"
awe also. have heard of this rumo
9 but believe that the interstate Com
merce Commission will enforce in it
e own way law which demands tina
: no Il. her rates shall be made than for
e longer haul. The Seaboard will ODE
I the fe. lure of the law in tariffs to bt
issued as in the past. So far as TIT
Association is concerned, and tina
= means the Southern Railway, for it Cal
n control the votes of a majority, VI
e may be compelled to question its lie
t gallty hereafter in the courts, as tn
: people may have to test the consti,u
r tionality of NEUTRALITY-SUSPICIOUS., pur
S chases and leases of railroads in Geor
gia and North Carolina a little late
on, for it would seem that present con
ditions which the people are commenc
r ing to understand, cannot much longe
;, contrive. The present disturbance
i in rates result from the Southern's Ell
!. forts to destroy our revenues an,
= business; after which the result llkel
10 follow may be easily imagined. Tn
responsibilities are theirs, and the rem
y edy is with them. We shall defen
e our property and our rights from al
=. intended quiet and subtle attack from
whatever source it may come, with III
same force that we would an at
tack made openly and boldly, and W
~ will continue to oppose to the million