The sun., 1897-03-22
THE SEIBO4RD AIR LINE.
Attitude or President Holman rs shown In n
Recent Correspondence.

hecent correspondence.
Tho papers filed in the recent hearing before
Judge Hughes of the United States Court in
Virginia, on the application TO make permanent
the injunction granted by him last autumn re-
straining the Seaboard Air Limo from carrying
its rate-cutting policy further. reveal corre-
spondence not heretofore published. This corre-
spondence followed an effort OF President Fink
of the Norfolk and Western to reconcile the diff
ferences between the Seaboard Air Line and the
Southern Railway, growing out OF the estab-
lishment by the latter OF u line OF steamers from
Norfolk to Baltimore.
Mr.. Fink submitted to President Spencer of
the Southern and President Hoffman OF the Sea-
board memorandum for an agreement which
gave TO the Baltimore Steam Packet Company,
controlled by the Seaboard. the right TO cstab bish
tho rates on passenger and freight traffic be-
tween Baltimore and points in Norfolk territory,
binding the Southern to strictly maintain such
rates. The revenue from this business was to
be divided between the two companies by agree
Sn nr or 81, m fhS eXent q failure to agree by tho
frain from publishing through rates between
Baltimore and points on the Norfolk and West
ern east Of Bristol and 10 charge local rates on
such business as was offered to its line. The
seaboard was to refrain from doing business be-
local rates on such business when offered
President Thomas OF the Nashville. Chatta-
nooga and St. Louis Joined Mr.. Fink, in urging
mcnt by both parties. Mr.. Spencer, for the
Southern hallway, expressed his approval stipu
term OF years. with provision for reallotment of
business, and that there should be an agree
la ment as S to eo6peration between all rail lines
-, 4 meeting was held at the Waldorf Hotel. in
this city, on Dec. 30 last between Mr. Spencer
and Mr.. Hoffman and his general manager Mr.
~, John, at which Messrs. Fink and Thomas
were present. The whole subject was thor
would make known his decision later. He sub
sequently wrote to Mcssrs Thomas aud Fink
that as the Local traffic between Baltimore and
Norfolk points had always been conceded 10 the
make no agreement that did not include pro-
vision for the withdrawal OF the boats OF the
Southern Hallway from this buslncss. He de-
lnunded that the Southern Railways boats
from such business carried by them. He fur
thcr refused TO submit to arbitration allegILy
that no arbitration could be had that would not
result in injustice,
letter 10 MIR; Hoffman, telling him that the
southern Railway could not accept his proposal
without giving IT'S sanction TO novel rule for
the conduct or competitive tratfic-that is, that
petition Is too small 10 admit Of division, then
The whole business must be conceded TO tho old.
Cst line, anu that the revenue derived by another
line must be paid over 10 the old line. They
this rule applied to the traffic OF Atlanta, which
the Seaboard secures through it's new line, The
Georgia, Carolina and Northern.
In their final letter 10 Mr.. Hoffman, Messrs
Thomas ana Fink express their regret at his
refusal either to restore rates or submit TO arbi-
tration. They tell him that no method OF settling
differences between transportation lines other
than arbitration 10 known TO them, and that
sooner or later, he will be obliged 10 submit TO
arbitration.
The arguments before Judge Hughes on tho
injunction were concluded ON March To- but MS
decision has not yet been rendered.