The morning news. [volume] (Savannah, Ga.) 1887-1900, 1898-11-02
INV RATES OR NO CAMPS.
~, DEPARTMENT WANTS ROADS
M HAUL TROOPS CHEAPER.

,.te Has Been Two Cents a Mile Per
c.nita-One and a Half Cents Is
mite Wanted-If 1t Can Not BE |
-, Camus VIII Not BE Establish
:, the SOuth-Gentleman just
- From Washington Heard
a,.,s-NeetinE of Presidents of
thorn Lines Now in Progress Mt
vasbfngton-Dischar Soldiers
want a Lower Rate.
A., important meeting of railroad presi-
.,.,ts of the South is in progress at Wash
IN representatives of the quarter
-s.,er department of the army are also
o,tsrdance, as the meeting is held for
-. Consideration of matter touching
that department..
l., rbe south, particularly the territory
s,ha Southeastern Passenger Association,
~. ,a;lroads have charged the govern
,srt . cents a mile straight for hauling
..,oos This is more than has been charged
-. the roads forming the Central Traffic
,ssocation and the lines in the West, and
,bs government wants to see things re-
,,,ea 10 The common basis of ia cents a
lila ner capita that Is in effect on the
+,.5s mentioned. The government officials
qua that the Southern roads should be
&c well able as the Western to haul the
+.,ons at that figure The cents a mile
-,ts has meant a great outlay, and there
is now determination evinced to get the
came reduction as that allowed by the
lines of other territory.
Tbroueh the territory of the Southeast
.r, Passenger Association there run sew
.rol lines that are not members of it,
and over them troops have been hauled at
tho lover rate. These lead principally to
minis on the Gulf coast, and they have
bean the means, an a way, of making the
southern roads come to the ~ cents fig
ure This has been on account of their
having been willing to take business from
connecting lines from the North for their
proportion of the rate named in that Sec
ton where it is III cents. The Southern
roads have been taking such business and
getting their just proportion, a railroad
man said yesterday, but had they been in
dependent of the action that might be
taken Dy the OlHGI DIlGSs NllOy WOhA0 MT
have had to accept anything lower than
the cents rate.
A Savannah man just back from Wash
ington and who was in a position, through
intimacy with members of the war depart
ment. to ascertain facts relative to the
future movements of the troops, says he
learned that the proposed camps in the
South not yet established will most posi-
lively not be formed unless the railroads
concede the rate asked for He further
states that the refusal of the roads to COM
ply will mean the revocation of the order
making Savannah the point of embarka-
ton. not of Gen. Lees corps, but of other
troops that would be sent here. The idea
is 10 send them to Norfolk he says, if
satisfactory understanding cannot be
reached with the Southern roads. He was
IN conversation with the adjutant general,
the uuartermaster general and clerks in
the offices of each, and gathered this from
them. He further said that he heard that
payment on the accounts presented by one
of the lines running to Savannah had
been held up in the hope of a compro-
mise, and that the quartermaster general
would positively refuse to pay the bill as
it stands. 1t is regarded, he says, as be
ing too high.
Rather a peculiar feature In connection
with the transportation of troops is that
Individual soldiers travelling on furlough
have been given rate of 112 cents mile
while regimental movements have been at
the regular rate of cents. This is ex-
planned as on account of the men having
10 pay their travelling expenses while on
Through while the government pays them
while movement of troops is in progress.
The railroad officials have considered that
the men are entitled to a cheap rate on
account of their having to pay their own
way and having less to do it with than
the government has. The enlisted men
have appreciated the favor the roads have
shown them in the matter of rates.
1t is the belief that the presidents of the
lines represented in the meeting at Wash
ington will agree to the ~ cents rate to
apply on movements of troops. If 1t is
true that the establishment of camps in
The South is dependent upon their action,
the entire section may be relied upon as
being anxious for the roads to allow the
decrease.
The meeting of the conference commit
lee to be held Friday in Atlanta is Gag
erly awaited by discharged soldiers, as
tney are anxious to hear from a matter
touching them closely that Is to be con-
smered This is relative to the rates that
are to be charged them from Savannah
10 whatever points they may desire TO
reach, after severing their connection
with the army There are a number of
uSeharged men, who are awaiting the ac
uoa OF the conference committee OF gen.
era passenger agents before buying their
UeAets home. Many of them have long
Instances to travel, and a matter of
cent mile is not to be laughed at.
an EFFORT will be made at the meeting,
@ulch has been called for the express pur-
Vse by the commissioner of the South
EASTERN Passenger Association, to secure
reduction of the rate for discharged
o'iu.ers from the regular figures of 3 cents
mile TO one of 2 cents. Up to a short
uule ago the rate for all soldiers, dis
caaIsed as well as furoughed, was ~
ls' put it was raised by an order sent
W. oy the commissioner of the associa-
Se ,u, MS was just about the time the
I e.gnIh Corps was moving here from
Gi .'eht9 Discharged men have reg
ef tgLeo Kicks but they have been without
effect thus far.
Nv. louierenee was held several days ago
n.y.. passenger representatives of the Cen
ana '' Inc Florida Central and Peninsular
INV, I lHe Pant System to arrive at some
uHIefst andinc if possibie ohont Tho rata