Smyrna times., 1897-06-23
For the Smyrna Times
Competition Honorable and Otherwise.

Competition in lines of business and
sports has always been considered
healthy and honorable. At times GER
tain persons descend to a lower level
in what they term by the same name.
1t is more on the order of monopolies
or trusts, whose efforts are directed
toward crushing out some industry
which may, even in small way, inter
tere with them. These trusts, bv
forcing to the wall smaller concerns.
generally pursue the plan of reducing
prices to such a low scale that their
opponents cannot live. This once
done, all that has been lost is quickly
recovered. This leads to a general
generalization of many lines of busi.
ness and takes away the independence
OF many who would strive fOr a bus
mess of their own.
For twenty years we have had
steamboat line from this town to Phila-
delphla, and in that period our people
have always had fair treatment in every
way. The company has at all times
been progressive and has done its best
to advance and introduce all lines of
business giving employment to our
people. 1t has rendered fair and
equitable service to its patrons and for
considerations not in excess of the
work OF said service. 1t has always
employed home labor, paying as much,
II not more, than received in other
lines OF business. 1t has cared for its
sick employees and from the fact that
few changes were made in the list it is
falr to presume that those employed
were satisfied. This company having
gotten into financial trouble and hon
orably saving itself by paying the full
value OF Its judgment Indebtedness,
continued to serve the people. In its
crippled condition n new line was
started IN opposition. A new line
with its principal claim of plenty of
money wherewith to crush ont the old
company with all its home people de-
pendent on 1t for a source of main
tenance for their families. For nearly
nine months it has continued, and the
old line was becoming stronger daily
by the steadfast adherence of not only
Its old friends but also by the patron
age OF many who favored fair play.
FAILING to secure the defeat of the old
company by honorable competition the
opposition has resOrted to the tactics
OF the trusts. They have reduced
the rates to what we all know to be an
Improbable basis, hoping that the old
company would meet this cut, when
they claimed they would cut again
and so reduce the income to a point
where it would take large sums of
money to continue the business. or
force a withdrawal.
The Philadelphia and Smyrna Trans
portatlon Company, having taken
counsel Of its friends and patrons. has
wisely determined to pursue it's regu-
lar course of business and maintain
living rates. In doing this they have
the approval of most all our merchants
and farmers. It is but borrowing for
short time, with the absolute GER
tainty of paying back with interest in
the event of the opposition winning.
The employees of the old company are
all home people, dependent on the life
OF the line for a living for themselves
and families, while the opposition is
said to be wealthy and most of its
peOle are nOn-residents of this vicin-
lty. Had the competition been fairly
conducted no one would have wanted
to interfere, but when in fair compe-
titiOn the opposition by cutting rates
80 per cent. admits the weakness of its
fight and cause and relies on its wealth
to crush out what it cannot defeat bv
fair measures, then it becomes us as
citizens interested in our own welfare
to raise our voices against the consum-
nation of a design to win by the sole
force of money. Almost everyone
conversant with this struggle that has
been going ON for the past nine
months will acknowledge that there is
not business enough here for two lines
of steamers.
Considering the whole matter, in.
cluding the investment made bv onr
people in the old line in comparison
with the foreign capital making up
the opposition, is it not time that we
by deed and voice should use and call
a halt in the means employed.
BUSINESS MAN.