Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1896-09-08
THE RAILROAD STRUGGLE
Present Conditions Are Said to Be Unfayora-
BILE to Northern Roads.
1t is Predicted That the Rate War
VIII Extend Into the North
An officials Views.

The rate committee of the Southern
States Passenger Association has been call
ed to meet today In Atlanta, and it is con-
sldered certain tfat at that session the
question of meeting the passenger rates of
the Seaboard Air Line will be discussed.
Some of those who are on the inside of
railway matters say that 1t is certain that
the Seaboard's passenger rates will be met
at least to competitive points, and that
notice to that effect will be filed with the
interstate commerce commission as soon
as possible after the meeting.
1t Is stated that the members of the rate
committee are disposed to look upon the
hght rs so far between the Southern and
the Seaboard, and it is likely that the
Southern will be the only one of the lines
In the association to meet the lower rate
The general officials of the Seaboard Air
Line, Southern Railway Company, Atlantic
Coast Line and Cape Fear and Yadkin VAL
ley roads today find a new foe confronting
them In railway commissioners of North
Carolina, aud in pursuance of orders from
the latter each of the roads named will be
compelled to reduce it's local rates in that
state, In order to conform to the through
rate named by the road.
By the State Commissioners.
The order is as follows: 1T appears from
press reports that reduced rates have again
been ordered to be put in effect from certain
points outside this state to certain COM
petitive points within, clearly causing a
discrimination and in violation of the long
and short haul of the act creating the III
terstate commerce commission. Justice to
the local business of this state requires US
to take prompt action.
ut is therefore ordered by this COM
mission that all roads doing business with
in the state Of North Carolina shall reduce
their local tariffs of passenger and freight
in the same proportion as has been done
by them in their through business. The
commission will meet Saturday, September
II. to hear any objections to this order
Railroad officials in this city, who were
today seen by Star reporter construed
the order of the commission to mean that
the roads referred to must reduce their
rates as soon as the order Was received,
and not again raise them without permits
sion of the beard.
A Pennsylvania official, in speaking about
the rate war today, said: The railroad
height agents In the northern seaboard
cities, especially those in Philadelphia,
look upon this war with regret, and say
the cutting which has been commenced
can only result in harm.
The rates on available routes from Phil
adelphia and New York to southern points
nave undergone no published change while
from Baltimore there has been a reduction
Of from 33 to 50 per cent
AS a result the slight advantage which
"a iC" SoututfH VIII individually re-
ceive will be more than counterbalanced
by the decrease of revenues to the rail-
road and steamboat companies involved
which will be felt down to the lowest SAL
eried employe.
Hard to Meet Expenses.
1T is said that most of the southern
roads are finding it extremely difficult to
make their expenses and fixed charges,
and rate war which will last for any
CT - L.
with extremely bad consequences.
Now that the rate cutting has been be-
gun both sides seem determined to go 10
victory, and 1t is highly probable that the
next cut will extend to rates as far east
as Boston. A reduction of rates to the
cities of Philadelphia, New York and Bos-
the water routes. but a long time could
hardly elapse before the railways would
also be brought into the difficulty.
When It Is taken into consideration that
rearly all the freight between Baltimore
and the south Is carried by the steamers
plying on Chesapeake bay, the meaning
of the rate war can the better be under
stood. The merchants of PHILADELPHIA are
complaining that since the rate war be-
gan their trade with the south has fallen
of to an alarming extent. The reason for
this is stated to be that Baltimore is now
enabled to ship goods to southern points
by both the wa1ring systems at from 33
to so per cent below the regular rates,
while from Philadelphia, New York and
Boston there has been no change 1t is
said, however. that Philadelphia merchants
can take advantage of the reduction by
shipping freight intended for southern
points to Norfolk local freight and
there reshippng 1t and getting the reduc-
ton from Norfolk.
IF, however, the cut is extended to Phil
adelphia and New York the result would
probably be different. as there would be
a proportionate cut to all points and no
city would have any advantage over an
other. There would be a general reduction,
perhaps increase the volume Of business,
while 1t lasted. Railroad men claim. how
ever, that the advantage to consumer
would be very small, and the railroads and
their employees and stockholders and all
dependent on them would be sufferers"
New Schedules Filed.
The Atlantic Coast Line this afternoon
filed notice with the interstate commerce
freight rates of the Seaboard Air Line at
all competitive points from Richmond and
Petersburg, and the Norfolk and Western
filed a similar notice Of reduction from
Roanoke to competing points on the Sea-
board
The Southern States Freight Association
Is In session today in New York. and It is
expected that the members will take action
looking to additional cutting by the South
ern, of which the interstate commerce COM
mission will be advised tomorrow.
The new schedules of the Atlantic Coast
Line and Norfolk and Western go into
effect Friday next.