The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1897-08-24
SETBACK FOR MERCHANTS.
soUTHEAsTERN PxsSESGE Err 1850
CITATION WON'T CUT RATES.

Omcers OF the Morchants' Association Disnp-
pointed, but They Don't In'cnd to Give Up
the RIEht-Tho Second Series or ETcursions
from the West to Begin In n Few Days.
President King of the Merchants Association
received word yesterday from Joseph Richard.
con, Chairman OF tho Southeastern Passenger
Association. that the roads included in the asso-
citation had decided not TO grant the reduced
rate asked for by the Merchants Association for
fits nonresident members. This ends, for the
time being, tho biggest Eight made by tho Nor
chants Association since its organization. Tho
roads Of the Southeastern Association oNtend
10 territory untouched 10y the roads that have
made concessions to the Merchants Associa.
tion, and in this territory the association has
thousands of members. 1t would have thou
sands moro II the Southeastern Association had
not fatty refused to consider the requests OF the
association for the reduced rate already granted
by so many other lines. Their first refusal was
mado at u meeting of the association hold In
Ashoville. n. C., on July 20. The reason given
was that tho association could not see why 1t
should discriminate between the nonresident
members OF the Merchants Association and or
binary passengers. 1t would be unfair. 1t con-
tended, to give merchants and buyers a reduc-
ton that they would not give to others. So
they refused to make the concession.
Meanwhile, railroads and steamship lines all
over the country were granting the reduced rate
to merchants. So general was tho sentiment in
favor of tho reduced rate that tho Southeastern
Association invited President King to attend its
August meeting. which was held several days
ago at Old Point Comfort. Mr.. King went to
the meeting and told tho railroad men that their
contention that 1t would DO unfair to discrim-
anate between merchants and ordinary passen-
he said. it had been tho custom OF the railroads
of the country, those in the southeastern = $50
citation. as well as those out Of It. to hustle for
the trade of theatrical combinations, business
others on special err.nds. For the purpose Of
be said, and 1t was only a fair demand that the
Merchants' Association made. It's returns In
additional freight, he said, would more than
make up for its loss in fares through the roduc-
it was hoped that these arguments and others
advanced by Mr.. King would bring tho South
letter from Mr.. Richardson ends the matter. at
give up the fEht. lie viii Keep at the -sssocia.
tion until 1t agrees to do something to help along
ton has started. The decision is great disap-
Pointment to Mr.. King and his fellow workers In
pent is not confined TO them, alone, however.
There are several thousand more resident
Mem her s of the who Merchants Says b,, As'9 %iitjOG
anxiously for the railroad associations answer.
To many, it would decide the question of
their purchases or not. To others 1t simply
These latter will now have TO come to New
York by a longer route, IL they want the benefit
of the reduced rate, or will be Obliged to travel
over some road in the Southeastern Association
to a point touched by. a road which has granted
the reduced rate. A circular telling. which
duced rate in the South was sent to all non.
resident members of the Merchants Association
yesterday as soon as the decision of the South.
eastern Association became known.
The second series OF excursions from the West
of merchants and buyers than came in the first
series Is expected. Hundred Of buyers have sent
word that they are coming. and business is OK.
pected to take on a great boom. In the meantime
there Is no let.up OF now arrivals in town. Great
nnmbers Of buyers, visit the, rooms of the
they tell of conditions in their homes are tho
best evidence that good times are spreading
over the country.