The Norfolk Virginian. [volume] (Norfolk, Va.) 186?-189?, 1896-07-04
RATE WAR IMMINENT
President R. Curzun Hoffman Defends the
Position Of the Old Bay Line.
THE PLANS OF THE SOUTHERN RAILWAY
The Southcrn's New Line IL Not Need
cd, Mr. Hoffman Says, and the
Railways Motive Is to Drive the
Present Company or the bay
Some INSIDE History.

In discussing the establishment of u
| steamboat line between Baltimore and
| Norfolk by the Southern railway COM
pany. MIR. II. Curzon Hoffman, president
of the Baltimore Steam Packet Compa-
ny. said to "a reporter of the Baltimore
Sun Thursday, the interview being pub
| lished in that paper yesterday:
THE Baltimore Steam Packet Com
pany, more generally known as the Bay
Line, was organized in 1899, and for more
than fifty years has transacted the bulk
OF the transportation business between
the ports Of Baltimore and Norfolk and
Portsmouth. 1t has largely contributed
to the prosperous growth OF those cities.
II has created. stimulated and sustain
ed favorable traffic conditions and rela-
tons Year after year II has augmented
the volume Of commercial transactions
to and from all parts of the world It's
capacities for accommodating trade and
travel have been enlarged to fully meet
the general demand. Its vessels-safe
commodious. Saarworthy and swift-are
incomparably superior to those of any
ether inland sea. Every invention or ap-
pllance that adds to luxurious comfort
or enhances human safety and enioy-
merit has been adopted regardless OF
COST. Its dealings with connecting lines
ahd the public have eXemplitied broad
Win the spirit of that injunction, DO
unto others as you would have them do
TO you. During the long period of its
existence the Bay Line has experienced
various N!cissitudes of fortune. It/hsss
mad Its ups and downs. Its good seasons.
us uiscoulag!ng reverses. Overcoming all
obstacles IT has steadily pursued its on
ward course. inspired by unwayerinr
confidence In itself and ;he favor of nho
Who're n
tered. The proud position It now occu
pies In the commercial and financial
world Is the logical outcome of a career
without blame or blemtsh.
las thousands of patrons, knowing
mat its utmost efforts have been loyally
expended IN their behalf, have come to
eHellsh 10Y the Bay Line a feeling akin
A. o. go, VI ailection. They are proud of
pt' they sympadhize in its mlsfortunos
eNuit IN It's success. Its welh-earned
popularity rests on the friendly co-onn-
ration and good will of all with whom n
hoids or has held personal or businese
relatiohs. Nor Is the clientage of This
IaNorite line limited to the cities most
9ircctiy concerned, to which ut has rer-
e s,,, GU more Nhan half century of faith
Aui services. 1t includes hundreds az
great firms In shipping communities and
Iuue centres In all sections of the conn
| Try, North and South.
me ann and object of the Southern
ru,iroaa In establishing a new and m
t tt,e ior me OF steamers between Bal
tho 10, anu Noriolk is to compete with
LIZ LIZ DAY Line In It's own field for ali
Nihus or business, invade it's source
u supply, reduce its revenues on I'M :,
us profits, cripple its efficiency rs a nmhD
nc carrier, disrupt it's friendly alliances
I,u , ith!ct on IL all the injury il can.
| Unable TO purchase q controIling in,a,.
| est. IL VIII not hesitate to resort IN INV,
| vi those questionable methods i'm which
| pfhctice mas made IL so expert IN do.
pfeclate the value of stocks TO force 1,
S s or drive its opponents altogether
! ~ .iit heiu. IL mas doubtless counted
.Hc cost, nut considers that to he n
| matter or minor consequences as The
| southern is backed by u syndicate Who
nave millions at their disposal and who
| Mouiu not hesitate to sacrifice much To
sam Strategic point. They already
own ana operate thousands of miles or
railway IN the Middle and Eastern
south and can dictate pretty much what
| rates they choose. But they will bo still
oeuler able to do so when they have Sc
uuieH an outlet exclusively their own
| VIA Norfolk to Baltimore Then tbc,,
Will be masters of the situation. the4
| they can defeat opposition and stine in
| dependent action. 'e '''
| The legitimate traffic between tba
| Two cities of Baltimore and Norfoll,
| SiiiSeS LOT tHe BAY steamers;
| anu ooeS not warrant the construction
| anu maintenance of an opposing line
| me Southern railroad IS we'll nwora
| OF lhis fact. although 1t pretends To
tne contrary. 1t knows that the Bny,
| Line Is amply competent to handle any
| Luuitional business that might accrue To
me southern at its Norfolk terminal
! IL knows that when | offered to do this
! guaranteeing the same facilities Accord ,
ed 10 other lines. it refused to accept
| tne proposal on the preteXt that the Ra,,
Line was too closely identified with tho
| aboard Air Line. although il is indie
| PENDENT or that or any other connec-
| tloh: me Southern alike refused To
| aFall itself of the proffered service of
tne Merchants and Miners fleet run
nlnS q daily line between Baltimore.
| Noilolk ana Portsmouth. and which, is
the Southern railways accepted con-
nection on all of its business cominp
wa water between Boston. Norfolk and
| portsmouth, and. which line is owned
| ana operated by wholly disinterested
parties.
| "nle inference and conclusion Is ire
| s4sunlc The Southern cannot ruIe the
| Chesapeake and monopol!ze the ira fyic
between Baltimore and Norfolk without
! lirsl driving the Bay Line from the field
or inil!cting on 1t mortal injury. The
southern In lis York River Lines already
mas shorter water route by forty-two
miles 10 Baltimore, but this is not suGi-
Gent and does not deter 81 from assault
ing the vested rights of a long-establish-
cd line. 1t Will endeavor TO secure what
ever Interior advantages It can gain n
TINS direction, whether by fair means or
| foul. VI
SO far as the Southern Is concerned
| an official corresnop5sp. and .1,,.N -.