The morning news. [volume] (Savannah, Ga.) 1887-1900, 1896-09-02
ST. JOHN TALKS FIGHT.
The seabOard's Vice-President Gives
a Characteristic Interview.

"A Characteristic Interview.
Portsmouth, Va, Sept. 1.-The Ports
mouth Star this afternoon prints the fol-
lowing interview with Vice President St.
Jobn. concerning the Seaboard Air Line
rate war:
Reporter-Mr st. John. my paper and
the people it represents. desire an inter-
view with you on the decision just rem
dered by Judge Simonton, in the now
famous railroad injunction case brought
by Receiver Averin?
Mr. ST. John-The injunction case
brought by Receiver Averill of the Port
Roval and Augusta railroad, undoubtedly
AZ the solicitation of its probable future
owner, the Southern railway, who desired
10 find some means of enjoining solvent
and prosperous railroad, the Seaboard
Air Line. from making reduced rates in
its own predication and also of enjoining
itself against making an so per cent. re-
duction. which it voted for, and demanded
in the Southern Freight Association, to-
gether with the Port Royal and Augusta
railroad, who voted by proxy, but which
rate it was never intended to put into
effect. has come to an end. and the vic
tory is with the Seaboard.
and the people, Notwithstanding
the efforts of the Southern's
attorneys, and those who argued from
their standpoint in favor of a permanent
injunction against a solvent railroads
controlling its own property, in its own
way, and in the interests of its owners,
and the people whom it serves throughout
the south. No one for a moment could
have seriously believed that the decision
would have been otherwise than as rem
dered. We i've under a republican form of
government and not under a monarchical
form of government, and decision other
than that rendered by Judge Simonton
seems impossible. In dissolving the tenn
porary injunction the judge himself states
that he finds that his limited jurisdiction
stops him at the very threshold, from the
temptation of entering upon a discussion
of the interesting points involved, etc.
Reporter-The injunction having been
dissolved, will the Seaboard return to rates
IN effect previous to the issuance of the
restraining order?
Mr.. St John-Why should it not? The
same coalitions exist now as at the time it
was first issued The Southern continues
its effort to destroy the revenues and prop
eTty of the Bay Line and the Seaboard
AIT Line by maintaining line of steam
ers upon the Chesapeake, which it can
never hope to operate, except at a heavy
loss, while a. the same time causing very
great loss to existing lines upon the bav
that have offered to handle the business
on the same equal terms which they han
Ole 1t for all other rail lines, and yet they
will not assent. They try to throw the
gauzy veil over the eyes of the people by
asserting that it is necessary for them to
handle their business, in steamers owned
by themselves, even at great loss in rev.
enue to their stock and bondholders. nm
doubtedly arguing that the losses on the
bay amount to little when distributed over
Southern railway mileage in comparison
with the injury they will inflict upon the
Bay Line, and the Seaboard Air Line. if
the people will only rest easy while that
process is going on, and when the money
OF their bankers permits the control of the
Norlolk and Western railroad, the Mer-
chants and Miners, and possibly the Old
dominion Steamship companies, with the
Say Line and Seaboard Air Line as a nos
slDlllty, 1t might then be in a position to
OeVote additional time and attention to
STATE governments. and the people would
De within its possible control
, heporter-It is limited that the Southern
olates Freight Association is preparing
tariff on the basis of a 80 per CEN
REDUCTION, to Seaboard competitive points.
ignoring the long and short haul clause
u me interstate commerce law. In this
e soeh' what will be the position of the
Mr. st. John-I have heard of this III,
NOR, but believe that the Interstate com
merce comm ssion will enforce IN its or-,
Way law which demands that no
nlgher rates shall be made for shorter
IMAM Tor a longer haul. The Seaboard
W, mHi oney this feature of the law. in ta~
ms 10 be issued, as in the past. So far
@ One association is concerned, and that
co,otn, me southern railway for it can
SoHIrol the votes of a majority. we nav
he compelled 10 -.
sIter IN the courts, as the peonie ma1,
nave TO test the constitutionalitv of car-
I'm consultations, purchases and leases
r. idiiroads in Georgia and North Caro-
ma little later on. for II
car1o4 seem that present conditions
The huch longer continue
ne present disturbances in rates
result from the Southerns efforts 10 de-
10y our revenues and business. after
"",In' the results likely to follow NAV he
ttt'9Hy imagined The RESPONSIBILITIES are
s s'eiIS ana the remedy is with them we
FL uetend our property and our rights
r. an intended quiet and subtle attack.
IN "nateVer source 1t may come with
sn7 same force and spirit that we would
an attack made openly and boldly ana ne
~ III continue to oppose 20 the millions of
~. bankers the sturdy unwaveriney
,1Solly OF the merchants, SINNERS FAR
tL manufacturers, the producers and
H. sood people" of Virginia, the Caro-
ra rs Georgia, Louisiana, Kentucky. Ten
trt,,,'e' Alabama, Florida and ala territory
co,,ueuit5ary to our line, in whose Interest the
o,,s ,.l.ct Is waged, as well as our own. The
tba sN Is between the Southern and
oeaooard. No other interests are Of
~, gSslty involved. II is within the mower
On ' ne southern to adjust its business un-
an 'uslhess methods. protect its revenues
is q. prevent serious losses thereto. II thar
ms,is uesire' by dealing honorably and IN
WIN with its competitors and this II
sooner or later, have to do.
rouge 20 Have Good Daily.
o, New Orleans, La, Sept. THE Adv,,.
ltet OF Baton Rouge, which was 'estae-
anne eu IN the year 1912. made its appear.
wv Lo-day mnder The rlaau - -.