The morning news. [volume] (Savannah, Ga.) 1887-1900, 1896-09-20
SEABOARD's RATES.
The General Council in Correspond
ence With Judge Speer.


ence With Judge Speer.
Augusta, Ga, Sept. 19-The following
Geographic correspondence between L. R.
Watts, general counsel of the Seaboard
Air Line, and Judge Emory Speer will be
published in the Chronicle tomorrow.
Portsmouth, Sept Is, 1s9s-Judge Emory
Speer, Mt. Airy. Ga. have Just re-
ceived by wire a copy of your injunction
order, and it is our purpose to conform
strictly to it,
We filed our tariff with the interstate
commerce commission Sept. 2, operative
Sept. 5, reducing rates 3S1s per cent. from
those prevailing prior to that date. This
tariff conforms strictly to the acts to
regulate commerce, especially to the third
and fourth sections giving to all points
the benefit of the reduction. This tariff
differs from that fled by the Southern
which discriminates against Augusta and
other points In that the reduction applies
only on competitive points, that is, points
where they directly compete with the
Seaboard line. This tariff we have OBJ
served under the terms of your order, as
1t was in force on the 5th, having been
recognized and approved by the commits
sion before that date.
On the morning of the 18th we filed with
tariff reducing cotton rates. to become eff
fective three days thereafter. This tariff
was received and approved by the COM
mission, and under it we have made con-
tracts with cotton dealers and vessel own
ers for the shipment of this cotton to
Liverpool at prices predicated upon the
rates quoted. If I understand the order
correctly, 1t does not interfere. This
tariff as the tariff itself, does not in any
sense violate the act referred to. and APP
plies equally to intermediate as well as
competitive points on lines
do not desire any modification of your
order, but wish to understand it fully so
that the management may be governed
accordingly, as it is their purpose in this
case, as in the past, to implicitly obey the
mandates of the courts and the laws of
the land. 1 wire you thus fully so that
we may take whatever action is necessary
and at once with the interstate commits
sion. For this reason I beg you to kindly
answer promptly at Portsmouth, Va.
We are advised that the Southern are
proceeding to file tariffs reducing the rates
from Atlanta and other points regardless
of your restraining order AS we are en-
deavoring to comply with this order, and
also the act to regulate commerce, think
it best to call your attention to what
seems to be violation of both the injunc-
ton and the act, and the protection of the
court. (Signed). L. r. Watts,
General Counsel.
Mount Airy, Ga, Sept 18th, 1S96.-To
Hon. L. r Watts, GeneraT Counsel Sea-
board Air Line, Portsmouth, Va: In re-
Spouse to your telegram of this date, do
not feel at liberty to attempt to interpret
by telegraph the decree of the court to
which you refer.
With regard to your complaint Of viola
ton of that decree by the Southern, 1 have
to say that If any violation is presented
pursuant to the rules and practice and
procedure, it will be given instant atten-
ton. (Signed). Emory Speer, Judge.
Portsmouth, Va, Sept. II, 1s96.-Judge
Emory speer, Mount Airy, Ga: Your tel
egram received. After full consideration,
have suggested to the management the
action indicated in the following tele-
gram, which is a copy of the one sent to
our Atlanta agent to-day. A tariff maxi
ing effective will be filed with the inter.
state commerce commission Immediately:
ITO r. I. Cheatham, Atlanta Ga: After
giving consideration to the order Of
Judge Speer, we have concluded that the
proper thing to do is to restore all rates
from the 2Sth, pending his decision, and
we do this in order that it may not be
said that in any way we are in opposition
thereto. This means North Carolina,
South Carolina and Virginia. as well as
Georgia
IL. r. Watts, General Counsel"