The morning news. [volume] (Savannah, Ga.) 1887-1900, 1896-09-18
WHAT WILL Mr.. SPENCER SAY7
A REPLY TO MR.. ST. JOHNS LET
TER LOOKED FOR.

1t Is Said when He spoke at the
De Soto, Oct. 81, the Southern Con-
fidentIy Expected TO Own the Cen
trails stOck-COnditiOns Have Pre-
vented That, But the Reason For
1t Is Not KnOwn-Cut Rates on
The Rate War by NO Means Ap-
prOaching an End.
The railroad world generally has been
very much interested in the discussion
that has been going on between President
Samuel Spencer of the Southern and Vice
Line relative to the railroad situation in
Georgia.
President Spencer will no doubt be
heard from again, for Mr.. st. Johns last
letter leaves an impression which evident
ly needs an explanation. A representative
of the Morning News made some inquiry
into the matter after the publication of
Mr.. st. Johns letter stating that Presi-
dent Spencer said in Savannah on the
night of Oct. 30, 1895, that the Central was
about to pass legally under the control of
the Southern, while in his recent letter
to Chairman L. N. Trammell of the state
railroad commission he makes the state
ment that the Southern does not own
the stock of the Central.
1t is understood, from what can be learn
ed, that at the time President Spencer
spoke in Savannah it was confidently ex-
pected that the Southern would own the
capital stock OF the Central of Georgia
Railway Company, and that President
Spencer made the statement in perfectly
good faith. This may have been, and
doubtless was what was expected at that
time, out It Goes not necessarily disprove
by any means the statement which Presi-
dent Spencer has recently made to the
effect that the Southern does not own the
Centrars stock. The reasons, however, as
to why the Southern does not own the
CentraPs stock, when 1t was expected at
that time to do so, are not known. If il
is necessary to do So 1t is said, that Pres
ident Spencer will likely state what the
reasons are in due season. That these
two statements were made there is no
doubt, but the reason for the situation,
so far as the general public is concerned,
is as yet yelled in mystery.
All of this discussion is the outcome of
the dispute between the Southern and the
Scaboard Air Line, which has led to the
extended war of rates. AS was stated in A
special dispatch to the Morning News
yesterday, President Hoffman of the Sea-
board has announced his intention of not
complying with the order and injunction
of Judge Emory Speer, holding that 1t
does not apply to his line, because the
cut rates made by it applied to every
point on the line. Several railroad men
were asked about this statement yester-
day. but did not care to say anything on
the subject. They considered it matter
wholly for the court, and were OF the
opinion that II any of those parties de-
PENDANT to the BILL failed to comply with
the injunction. Judge Speer would prob
ably be heard from.
Judge Speer's injunction does not seem
to have been wholly effective in putting
stop to rate cutting. AS announced in
a special dispatch to the Morning News
yesterday, the rates on cotton from the
interior to the South Atlantic and Gulf
ports have been reduced IA cents per 100
pounds, or about 20 cents per bale to the
shipside President H. NJ. Conner of the
Central was asked about this cut yester-
day, and said it was true it had been
made for the purpose of meeting the cut
made by the Seaboard Air Line to Nor
folk. Futher than this he had nothing to
say about the matter.
Some of the cotton men on the Bay
were asked about the reduction, and what
effect, If any, it would have on the cotton
trade through the port. In their opinion
they did not consider that the effect
would amount to anything, as the roduc-
ton, when made in both directions, would
practically equalze matters. and there
would not necessarily be any increase of
| business, nor would there be any falling
Off on account of IT at any of the ports.
The interest In the situation is uhabat-
ing. From the present outlook the fight
Is by no means anywhere near
a conclusion. Rates throughout
the territory OF the Southern
States Freight Association are in a worse
demoralized condition than they have
been in years, and the process by which
they will be finally restored will be watch
ed with deep interest