The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1896-08-07
Reduction in Freight Rates on the York
River Line

River Line
The Baltimore American Of yesterday
says.
The conflict leiwen the seaboard Air
Line ana the Scuttern Railway Company,
which has lain dormant for the past few
ofys IN cClstqufi ce II the temporary in
junction granted by Judge Smonton. Of
tho United States Circuit Court, was re-
ncWed yesterday IN u local way Dy the
az noLrcen ent on the part OF the York
river line officials that the freight rates
10 fcnmCnI would bee reduced 10 within
the range OF ten cents for ir5t-class end
Tour cents for siXth-class freiehts. These
rates will 90 into effect to-day. The re-
ductOn IN the rates IS made 10 meet
those now prevailing on the Bay Line
new James River route. which. IL IS said,
has been cutting seriously into the York
River Line freight business through the
influence OF their low freight tariffs 10
HlchmOud. The York River line, al
Though separate line, is owned and
controlled boy The Southern Railway Com
pany. and as an freight which is taken
from this port on their steamers destined
for Richmond is landed az West Point,
and then taken forty miles overland On
the Southern 10 Richmond they were
compelled. under the Interstate Commerce
laws, 10 notify the commission OF their
company has compiled with.
In view OF the existing temporary IN
functions against the Southern and Sea
board from making any further cut in
rates until the case IS heard before Judge
Simouton on August 18TH, al .Greenyille.
s. c., the action OF the York River Line
was a surprise 10 those who have closely
followed in thu turn OF events during the
rate war. Ii was pretty generally I'M
Gcrstood that Judge Simonton's order
positively prohibited any further cutting.
and ordered the Se0bOard TO return 10 the
rates in use before the war began. IL
was on appeal or the Seaboard request
ing modification of the order so that
they would not violate the Interstate Com
merce law. requiring ten days notice De
f0ro they could return TO the old rates,
that Judge Simout0n amended his order
so that there would be no conflict with
the Interstate Commerce Commission.
10 was learned az the office of the York
River Line yesterday that Judge Simon
ton had also modified the. order so that
10 would not interfere with the connlct
between the two companies between bal-
tlmOre and Richmond. The James River
route being wholly "a water route. does
not. come under the Interstate Commerce
laws while the York River Line being
compelled TO carry Us freight forty miles
over rail 10 Richmond, can act only upon
authority from the commission. Presi-
dent Hoffman. Of the SeaDodrd sald yes
teriay when he learned OF the cut in
rates that he remembered no clause in
the modified order OF the court whereby
tho Southern wa privileged to reduce
rates as far as Richmond.
The rates on the York River line up 10
July DIST were twcnty-three cents per one
hundred pounds for nrst-ciass freight.
and running 10 eight cents for siXth-class.
The company later made cut 20 thir-
teen and five 10 meet the Bay Line, but
before these rates were put IN service
the latter company cut 70 ten AMI i've,
the rates now prevailing Tie passenger
rates on the York River Line remain no
two doll .er single trip and three dol
lars for round trip while the Bay Line
rates are one dollar each way.
The fight on these two lines r. now
likely 10 become very warm. The amount
OF freight going out is comparatively
small. and both lines are after the lion s
share.