Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1897-12-07

NORFOLK. VA. December 6.-(Spe-
cial)-The report that the Seaboard Air
Line and the Southern railway have set
tied their differences is correct. Vice
President and General-Manager 81. John
is absent from tho city. but the report
| Is stated 10 be authentic by parties
prominently connected with the line.
The Baltimore Sun Of yesterday, in an
article based on the report Of settle
| mcnt, says
zone OF the features Of the fight was the
| establishment of a line TO Norfolk by the
! York-River Line This provoked the es-
| Enlistment of a line OF steamers from
| Baltimore TO Richmond by the old Bay
! Line Norfolk Portsmouth, and Old Point
| were places TO which the Old Bay Line
| ran for years undisturbed by the South
| ern. and. on the other hand, the Seaboard
did not compete for the Richmond bust
ness OF the York-RiVer Line. When the
relations which had existed between the
two systems were severed, former
methods were cast aside and the war was
carried into each Others territory Trans
portation men had their ideas Of conserva-
tsm shocked at the rates which were an
nounced and IL was freely predicted that
financial ruin would be the ultimate re-
suit OF such policy.
1T is believed that any basis of settle
ment between the principals would mean
a restoration of the situation on the bay
as it originally existed. This would call
for the withdrawal by the York-Rver
Line of its service TO Norfolk, and by the
Bay Line of its line to Richmond. This
arrangement would also lead TO a return |
TO the old rates in existence before the |
breach between the two companies.
'fAuOfhpp effect Of an q QrrfpmQut Of the |
two companies would be the fixing Of |
stable rates in the southern territory |
reached by the two systems. This, it Is |
recognized, would have farreaching in |
1uence upon the railroad situation in the
South. An association is I'm existence |
which has for its object the maintenance
of rates, but, inasmuch as the Seaboard
Airline is not a member of this body,
and has refused ALI along to go into 1t,
the stability Of rates is an uncertain
quantity. The association ia controlled by
the Southern railway and its allied lines,
and this is one of the causes which has
made the Seaboard keep out. Should the
controversy between the two systems be
ended 1t is possible that the SeabOard may
enter the association.
THE Seaboard recently put into effect
a differential railroad rate, by which it
sells tickets AT lower rate than its COM
10 make up Tor train and time |
advantages which are possessed by them.
1t was thought that this would precipi-
tate war of passenger rates, but the
Southern railway decided not TO meet the
As the basis Of this action
5 one recognized among the trunk lines.
{ is likely that this differential will be
allowed 10 stand.
Another point Of difference between the
wo systems is the demand of the Sea-
,oard that il be given equal facilities
With the Southern by connecting lines to
he North and TO the South of its own {
DAD for through sleeping-car service
his represents the desire Of the Seaboard
o run through sleeping-cars from New
FORK to Atlanta"
DOUBT IN NEW YORK.
NEW YORK. December G.-The Evening !
ost to-day says: No confirmation was !
btainable to-day OF a report published :
! Baltimore to-day, alleging that hos !
lities between the Southern and the :
eaboard Airline had at last ended in h
n agreement for harmonious business =
cations. Southern railroad people. while .
lying nothing for publication, indicated =
doubt whether such an -
greement had yet been reached.