The evening times., 1896-07-25

u .
Much surprise was occasioned this morn
ing in railway circles by the announcement
that the Bay Line from Baltimore to Rich
lnond had Withdrawn its passenger service,
which only day Or two ago was running
at the cut rate Of one dollar, including state
room.
The seaboard people here had received
no word officially up to noon today OF the
closing down OF the passenger service to
Richmond by the Bay Line, but this was
explained by the fact that no through
tickets are sold on the Bay Line from WASH
ington.
There is no doubt US to the genuineness of
she report, as more than one prospective
purchaser of tickets to Richmond via the s.
A. L. was informed a 1.-The office here that
the boats would not be running for fully
q week.
The cause Of this is the injury to the Viz
ginia, which run aground in the James
River and the inability OF the BAY Line
people to secure a proper boat for the
service pending her repair, which is being
rapidly pushed at Newport News.
When the Virginia $ in proper condition
she Will resume her schedule trips between
is no ointerference, however, with the trans
portation of freight, which will continue as
| heretofore, the steamer CASTOR being used
! for that service.
Vice President st. John and President
Hoffman of the Sea board had consultation
| today in Baltimore. to decide upon some
action whereby they would meet the so
per cent cut OF the Southern. President
Hoffman was closeted several hours this
morning with Judge L. R. Watts of Ports
| mouth, Va, general counsel of the seaboard
Air Line. The outcome of the conference
was not made known.
1t appears that the seabnard Air Line
proposes to seek some redress from the
courts for the maintenance OF the rival
water line, which the Southern refuses to
withdraw. and which Vice President St.
John insists must be taken Oft if the rate
| war is to be terminated.
President Hoffman's latest statement is:
II have no assurances that the Southern
roads will cut their rates: and any rate. If
the report be true. they will not so into
effect until August l." An impression
prevails in Seaboard Air Line circles that
| the so per cent announcement was in the
| nature OF bluff to bring forth some fur
ther demonstration of antagonism-
President Hoffman further stated: I'VE
| Will continue the fight as long as the South
en. and will only withdraw when they
| have acceded to our demands by abandon
| Ing the Norfolk Line."
| READY FOR THE CUT.
In Southern Railroad quarters it was
learned toda that members OF the Southern
| ai.rbt
to make the so per cent cut. 1t applies
| to toallplacesonthe seaboards ysten, reached
by lines of the association, and it is likely
| that the Southern Passenger Association,
| Comprising nearly all the members of the
freight association, may Join in the fight
and side with the Southern.
| In fact the rate-cutting would have such
an effect that Western shippers would ship
East via the Southern lines, and thus the
Western roads would be forced to also
join in the slashing of rates.
| Already another line has become in.
volved. The management OF Clyde's Coast
wise and West India Steam Lines this MORN
ing has officially announced a sweeping
| reduction Of rates to Southern ports.
| The company states that its purpose is to
/ protect the merchants OF Philadelphia, and,
therefore, makes the reduction in rates,
beginning August 1.
| The members of the Southern, States
Freight Association involved are the fol-
lowing:
Southern Railway, Alabama Great South
| ern Railroad, Alabama Midland Railway,
| Brunswick nd Western Railroad, Charleston
and Savannah Railway, Savannah. Flor
ida and Western Railway, Atlanta and West
Point Railroad, Western Railway OF Ala
hama, Cape Fear and Yadkin Valley Rail-
way, Central of Georgia Railway, Ocean
Steamship Company Clyde Steamship Com
pany, Columbus Southern Railway, East
and West Railroad, Florida, Central and
| Peninsular Railroad, Georgia and Alabama
Railway, Georgia Midland ilway Georgia
| Southern and Florida Railroad, Mallory
Steamship Company, Merchants and Miners
| Transportation Company, Norfolk and
Western Railroad, Old Dominion Steamship
Company, Port Royal and Augusta Railway,
Western and Atlantic Railroad and Will
mington and Weldon Railroad.
| Royal Blue Line to Philadelphia.
Trains on time. Engines burn coke.
| Rock ballast. No smoke. No dust
| IVES, 20, % 90, ,-aug1 8, 5,79