Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1896-09-07
Some Surprising Moves May Be Ex-
pected This Week.
OTHER COMPANIES TO Be INVOLVED
Another Injunction Likely to Be
Applied For.
THE LONG AND SHORT HAUL

surprising moves on the part of the COM
manders IN the rate war between the Sea-
board Air Line and the Southern Railway
Companies. and it will not be astonishing
to those who are watching the trend of
events along that line if inside of ten days
the most of the lines of the Southern States
Freight Association, and this comprises
nearly Ill the important railway and
steamship lines along the Atlantic sea-
board. will become involved in the con-
troversy.
At the present time everything points to
one of the longest and most bitter strus-
giles in the history of American railroads,
and as each new move in the fight is made
the situation becomes more complicated,
and the prospects of an early adjustment
OF the differences seems more remote
The lowest rate yet made by the two
lines went into effect this morning. So far
this on the part of the Southern has been
limited to freight traffic, and the charges
are but about one-half what they We're
week ago.
The Seaboard has also applied the knife
very vigorously to the passenger tariff
between competitive points with the South
ern, and the passenger can now buy a tick
ct to Atlanta for less than one-half the
rate which prevailed before the present
war of rate cutting began. The Southern
maintains its figures for passenger traffic
for the present at least. because, it is I'M
derstood, the management of the latter
holds to the opinion that persons in this
section who desire to reach the principal
cities CT the south promptly would prefer
to Fay the normal rate, and thus lose no
unnecessary time. rather than to avail
themselves of the cheaper rate and have to
travel part of the route by water.
II is said. however, that, despite the fact
that the rates charged by both the South
ERIN and the Seaboard between Baltimore
nd fnlk han, 1,rf.
known, and are SO trfiing as to appear 10
be almost ridiculous for the amount of ser
vice rendered, both are making money, as
the number Of persons who are travelling
exceeds all previous records.
1t Is reported, however, that the South
ern and Merchants and Miners lines which
also carry passengers between Baltimore
and Norfolk, will this week reduce rates
still further by Offering free berths and
state rooms on their steamers, and it is in
tlmated that If they do the Seaboard WILL
1t Is said, not only meet the cut Of the 9TH
ers. but will offer free meals.
The Long md Short Haul Question.
There is every reason to believe that the
long and short haul clause of the interstate
commerce law will soon play an important
part In the controversy, and it is said that
the Seaboard will within very few DAYS
probably tomorrow, ask for an Injunction
from one of the United States Judges in
Washington to restrain the Southern Rail-
way Company from putting into effect the
reduction in freight rates of which notice
has been filed with the interstate commerce
commission on the ground that this reduc.
tioh does not affect all points, but only
competitive points. and that under the law
u rates are cut to one point they must be
reduced to all nearer points. as well as to
points beyond on the same line of railway
With regard to this charge of the sea.
board people. the Southern officials who
nave charge Of this branch of the subi.cr
nave nave, as might be expected, little to say.
1hey are not willing to admit, It is under
stood, that the long and short haul clause
OF the law can be legally enforced. and
they are further understood to expect that
the Seabcard will continue to keen the mar.
ter before the attention Of the interstate
commerce commission or of the courts un-
til there Is an official ruling by competent
authority on the question.
II the decision is in favor of the Southern
the Seaboard WILL it is believed. cut rates
even further than they have already done.
II Is reported that lower cut than is
shown by the figures filed with the inter-
state commerce commission by the con-
tending parties has already been secretly
made by several railroads besides those
named, and 1t is stated that some new
schedules from important trunk lines may
be filed with the commission early this
week, as 1t has already become ma nifast
to them that they cannot maintain the
tariffs as they have existed for some time
past.
Just how 1t has been done has not vet
come to the surface, but it is stated on
good authority and not from Seaboard
sources that the Seaboard company has
contracted for practically all the important
business in sight from New York PhiIa
delphia and Baltimore to southern ports
The Seaboard has, it is said, been antici.
pating business in this way for some time
past, stepping in ahead of competitors and
taking the business under special induce
ments. 1t is stated that its business last
month increased nearly 80 per cent. while
most other companies have been comnIainN
ing of dull times.
The Southern railway people who have
been conversed with. say that thew are
making as conservative a fight as possible
and are doing everything they can to nro-
tect the revenues of the company and de-
fend the interests of the security holders
and stockholders. and that this is the rea
son why their company has made reduc
tons to competitive points only.
AS the Seaboard has cut the rates all over
the south, and has made new rates from
New York and Philadelphia, as well as
from other points, other lines than the
Seaboard and those composing the South
ern States Freight Association have been
drawn Into the fight, and it is said the
Pennsylvania Railroad Company by reason
OF the new freight rate quoted by the Sea-
ooaso mas been compelled to make lower