Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1897-07-27
TUESDAY. p, 1897
RICHMOND AND RAILROADS.

The Morris Committee Of the Chamber
Of Commerce has not yet been able to
make terms with the railroads for the
proposed merchants excursion.
The railroads have not been as help
full I'm this matter as We had hoped they
would be. in view Of the fact that Rich
mon1 IS always modest and reasonable
in her requests ana rarely INDUCES IN
tho kicking" that some Of her rivals
arc famous for. The season for southern
merchants visiting northern markets IL
now rapidly approaching and any
further delay would be unfortunate and
dangerous to our interests.
1T may be said OF the carrier which
acts promptly in the interest OF any COM
munity. 'oui otto dat bis dat" SO it may
be said of tho one which acts tardily
that it only half meets the necessities
OF the situation.
The Chambers committee is bringing
10 bear upon the railroads all the press
,ro that 1t possibly can. If it sue
ceeds ia inducing them to take an enter
nrisng view of the case, the effect here
will be to stimulate business greatly.
The railroads and steamboat companies
have exceedingly low rates for sum
mer resorts, for tourists. and other
special excursions for long distances.
but when tho businessmen propose 10
get mp merchants excursion and are
willing to pledge their whole influence TO
make il a success, and can promise
rich aftermath of freight business; if
they want to run such excursions for a
distance coextensive with their trade re-
lations, they encounter a cast-iron rule
or tariff. This tariff adds prohlbitory
rates for more than certain mileage,
for more than certain number OF cars,
and for more than q maximum Out in
sufficienO time-limit on the tickets. on
the Other hand. tho tourists rates for
health and pleasure are often made 10
cover thousands OF miles and are not
subject to other rigid restrictions in the
particulars mentioned.
There is "a fair prospect that Richmond
may get a concession over most OF the
lines centering here, similar to that given
New York by the Joint Traffic AS
focation-namely. one and one-third fare
for the round trip at stated seasons.
should the Southeastern Passenger As,
sociation authorize the issue OF such
tickets from its territory to New York.
But the action OF the Joint Traffic Asso-
citation VIII afford an opportunity 10 the
New York Merchants Association to draw
nonresident merchants from Rich
mond territory to New York by means
OF combinations with the reduced rates
north OF the Potomac, even should the
Southeastern Association itself not grant
the concession in its territory. For this
reason our Chamber of Commerce is now
especially anxious to have at an early
day personally conducted trains for non
resident merchants upon what il con-
sidered paying basis, to hedge off from
Richmond territory the movement which
the adroit device of the Merchants Asso-
citation, Of New York. is calculated TO
effect.
In this connection a railroad gazette
OF unquestioned authority says:
whenever tho merchants. or anybody
else, can get several hundred persons TO
start at the same time! they may be
pretty sure that the railroads will give
Them substantial reductions"
This organ speaks especially for terri
tory north OF the Potomac and Ohio
rivers. IL expresses just the view we
should like some OF the southern lines
10 take Of the present proposed egcur-
sions. While the present relations be-
tween most OF our businessmen and the
railroad officials located here are OF the
most friendly and cordial character, un-
fortunately, in many cases there does not
seem 10 exist that hearty cooperation
between the carriers and the public
which Is so notable in the case OF certain
western and northern cities.
There seems TO be a nervous appre-
hension on the part OF the representa-
lives OF our railroad lines, when APP
preached by our commercial organize
lions or their committee, that some
unwisc. unreasonable. or impracticable
request Is 10 be preferred. Any business
proposition should be- able to stand the
test OF prompt frank. and full discussion
and consideration.
Our people. II is believed. are at least