The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1896-09-19

4 lengthy, but Interc.ting Reply to th'


seaboard Air Line People.
Tho rate war is rearing an end. All
OF the reduced rates On the Southern
V,u De withdrawn on the 18th OF sep
tember. except between Baltimore and
Richmond.
Alr. samuel Spencer president OF the
Southern railway. has made lengthy
reply % the structures OF the Soaboard
AIR Line people. His letter is addressed
To- AR. r.. O.. Hoffman, president OF tho
Seah0ard Air Line, and is dated Scptem-
Der 10Th. A few extracts from the let
ter follow.
Dear sir.-your letter Of April 2th vas
received the day before 1 sailed for Eu-
rone for several months absence.
The statements contained therein are
sd uloeic4l and unreasonable that no
further notice would have been taken
OF them except for subsequent events
and subsequent utterances hy yon ana
others responsible for the management
OF the Seaboard Air Line.
You have either failed 10 appreciate
or have nufu'iy ignored CT misrepros
tine essential points which have governed
rs iu making change of terminus f'om
West Point TO Primer Point for a large
portion of orr traffic and in the running
off some OF our boats FROM Norfolk ara
Primers Point % Baltimore MS a pd-t OF
such change.
I'm order TO improve our water ,onnec-
tions. both c0astwise and foreign, Dc vas
necessary fo make "a rail terminus 90
the Norfolk harhor The Richmond and
Uanyine Company some time prior to its
Insolvency. recognized the desirdhllli ol
such d change Cf terminus. and made
Investments Tor that purpose at That ume
in the construction of the Norfolk and
Carolina railroad.
when your company decided 20 construct
ite limo 90 Atlanta. such change became
Imperative. in order that the Richmond
anal Dlryule system. whose business 10
Atlanta would thus Doe seriously dame
ar.d. might le placed upon am equality
with your line in water connections. as the
best means OF ueutrllizing the consolncnS
losses.
Tho Richmond and D1nvIle fer lack or
means 10 perfect ifs plans suffered the
disadvantage for years OF inferior water
connections while the sOah1tld Air line
continued % make lnuais upon its hn,i-
ness at Atlanta and in the surrounding
and intermediate territory.
Tho Southern Railway Compare. me
purchaser of. tho Richmond ana banF.lIe
properties In completing plans rreNl h-ly
begun. was merely. after long ana inj De-
r.ous delay putting itEr't ODD an adfhh-
taeeous pos .ron iu 'oHp-iisun N'ih YOU
lines lu this respect.
The damage t0 fha pieamori ane Dan
Vile So f0m ana BIS revenues resrlt.S
from the action OF orr comranyh Nf
Imp rr.If.r m amount than amy which
might result TO your interests from inc
b0at uue between Norfolk AMI Baltimore,
and such boat line was necessary, noi-
Whilst nlirr your unsupported statements
o. tho contrary in order 90 maintain
property tle existing connections and id-
.Tfies of the southern system, especially
after you hal declined t1 form ID neutral
limo on tho bay by the consolidation ct
those represented by your company ana
the Southern.
Your statement. therefore. Is absolutely
untrue tl.t tuo establishment of sucn
beat Inc was for the purposes OF 2tt9ck
upon yonr interests.
Your are equally unwarruntcd In say
iug that the Southern unjust assume the
responsibility for the Generalization ana
loss of revenue 90 AN lines which must
follow"
If the Richmond and Danville had
served notice upon you. prior 20 the con-
strucrOn OF your line to Atlanta. That IL
w,uid. uron the opening OF that line,
ti,ns Of rates. and then have done so.
would your company have been RESPONSE
DE for tho "dem, ralizaton and loss OF
revenue u an lines which would nave
cnsuel2
Notwithstanding your arbitrary and UNI
reasonable attitude, contrary 20 our In
tercst. and against our best Judgment
that no lasting basis OF cooperation could
Ie expected wlfh-y0ur company under us
fre-.nt officers. we offered 10 consolidate
the boat-Nno interests upon the bay rep-
resented by You and hy ourselves resprc-
lively. on amy fair basis OF actual valun-
ton 10 be fixed either hy agreement or py
arbitration. This you declined ON the
ground tut yOu could not give up mo
indenondeuce o. your OHn line, and ye-
Won threatened TO reduce rates ana r-ft-
nues-not only ours bat those of al INES
and have finally done 500. because we
declined 10 give mp the indcpeni nee Oh
our7
Friendly connection OF uotn your MICS
.,I..,. made "a suggestion 90 you and 10
us of basis which be- as IL Gus ie'',"
Marty Thought fair and equitable as 10
tt. o',.-..ffon u our respective lines upon
fh. lrv. Tu8 plan we cAIr 'ed our
,,uiir.n..s 10 accept. You declined H.
rrsfv has como your rem rkabie poo
aitf.- with REGARD t0 boat line on Chts-
ar.4ks Bay. and your destruction OF reFe-
rr.. of an lines because you could not
compel one company 90 cease tAe opera
zion of Cos property ot your dictalon'
,rhI- las briefly as 10 can here De told.
fs tho recent listory OF your company
in IFS s8-caNed EFFORTS at harmony.
NOT one single important agreement be-
tvgeen vour line and others, looking 10
harmony between them, has stood with any
decree OF pcrulnency under youf Mii-
a.r.uent. aud the withdrawal or annui-
m.ut has always been upon your part
either on account OF some slight or in.tsl-
nary wrong, or as d means q ello'0i"7
some arbitrary demand.
Snrh agreements have stood as between
substantially AN other PARTIES
Does this indicate thar mo want OF
harmony rests with tnemf
The fact Is bllt under your manage
mont an efforts towards harmony WIN
vour company. an concessions that nave
beou made, and they nave htcE rune
rous. have apparently been REGARDED 10y
Won ana YOUR officers as Evidences az weak
moss linon tna part OF others. laey have
,.t.r leen taken Ia the spirit IN which
th.v were made and In which they were
accustomed to be accepted By your pre-
decessOr.
practically an other railways IN the
ecufh have been able from time 20 time
"a adjust their differences. and live to-
| aether In substantial harmony ana peace.
Your Company alone. under your manage