The Norfolk Virginian. [volume] (Norfolk, Va.) 186?-189?, 1896-09-17

ly and vigorously opposed the Inaugural
tion of this 50 per cent. cut In commit
tee, absented himself from the meet
ing of the association which adopted
said cut. and thus avoided voting
against 1t, although he knew that his
negative vote under the itules of the
association, would have prevented the
Inauguration of the cut which he so
much deplored.
AS to your statements that the Sea-
board Air Line had committed frauds
or Determinations in the matter of the
boycott, 1t Is sufficient to say that al
though the point was pressed to tho
court that the Seaboard Air Line was
not entitled to relief 1t prayed against
the western and Atlantic railroad be-
cause of alleged wrongs on It's part,
which, If true, would have defeated It's
right, the court granted the relief there
by affirming the contention OF the Sea-
board Air Line that Its changes of dcs-
tination were made with the consent of
the agents of its connections. and that
all that 1t was bound to do was upon a
statement of accounts, which was then
in progress. to settle with this connoc
ton for any sums which il might owe.
Ihe settlement was finally reached: the
balance was found to be much smaller
than was Supposed; the same was paid
not as matter OF restitution. but as II
matter which had always been admitted
10 be due whenever the accoun, was
nXed and the Connection conceded that
the officers of the Scabuard Air Line
mad acted properly In regard thereto.
IL Is amusing to note your claim that
me surrender of your lease of The,
Northcaster railroad OF Georgia js nm
evidence that .the Southern railroad
does not wish to monopoli2e No rail
road man Is ignorant OF the fact th,t
since the Scabcard Air Line has been
punt the Northeastern railroad cannot
nu' choose TO operate In connection with
the southern railway IL is also true
That the Southern Railway Company did
not surrender the lease of the Northeast
erh railroad. but that the Richmond and
Danville Railroad Company, OF which
the Southern Is the successor dcfaultcd
upon the payment of the interest on the
bonds or the road endorsed by the Stale
and that the State was compelled to nay
these bonds TO retake possession of the
ROAD, ana has not yet been able TO rcitn
bnrsc Itself therefor, and is a great
loser ny the failure OF the Richmond
an. an" 'hnVlle railroad Company or of
the southern to carry out the lease obli
cations.
AS your letter purports to be a. COM
piete reply 10 all matters in mine af
ieoting the Southern Railway Company
ana as 1t Is carefully prepared piece of
special pleading to the several charges
tnerein contained. 1t is fair 10 assume
that those matters not denied are to he
taken as admitted.
There may be some matters in ynur
letter which / have overlooked, as
nave not sought 10 reply In detail to all
matter. In conclusion, to which | wish
to call attention.
You note the fact that certain rail-
roads winch are natural connections of
the Seaboard Air Line, but which you
have absorbed while owning connecting
lines. could have been purchased bv tho
Seahoard Air Line and were not bought
by 1t.
note that YOU say nothing In regard
10 the peculiar class OF attorneys en-
ployed by the Southern Railway Com
pany, whose duties appear TO have no
connection with litigation, nor do YOU
see fit to mention any of the statements
IN regard to the political influence which
the southern Railway seeks To exert.
In regard TO the Macon and Northern
Rallroad, permit me 10 say that ut the
request OF the people of Macon the Sea-
board Air Line did after an examina-
iion of said road and an Investigation
OF hts earning capacity, make n fair
business proposition for ITS control, but
railroads which purchase properties for
the sake of their operation can never
aiford TO offer IA much therefor as
those who acquire them for the purpose
OF charging monopoly, and the Sea-
board Air Line could not have afforded
10 pay in cash the price in new securl-
ties which the lines controlled by the
Southern saw tit TO offer.
As 10 the Atlanta and Florida being
offered to the Seaboard Air Linz. you
are mistaken in that statement 1t was
never so offered. Had ii been, II is
doubtful II the Seaboard Air Line would
have wished to purchase a property con-
icssedly not self-supportng But this
portion of your letter betrays the i'm
press of the capital!s:ic tendency of
mind which inspires those who dominate
the Southern Railway Company
1t Is assumed that If the Seaboard
Air Line is not willing Ia purchase and
to own any of the railroads in the State
of Georgia or elsewhere, which /; deems
important as connections. the Southern
Railway Company is quite free to huy
them, and that such purchase Is merely
4 proof Of progress on the part OF the
southern. That such purchases are In
violation of the laws and the constitu-
ton seems 10 go Tor naught: that the
S"aboard Air Line has the right not 10
purchase these roads. and yet to insist
INA, the Southern Railway COMPANY
while owning competitive lines, should
nnt purchase them, seems to be n mat
Ter OF no moment. In short # YOU have
the money to make the purchase. or ca n
induce those who own properties 10 sell
them for new securities. the constjtu-
tion ana laws of the State or the public
policy OF the land Is not TO stand in
your way. Aggregated capital NAV
consider TINS species of management
more progressive than n compliance
with the law. but the people do no, en-
consider and will sooner or later damanI
Tho vlndication of their violated cnnsti-
tutiOnS and Stotuta.