The news & observer. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1894-current, 1899-01-21
S. A. L. CUTS so PER CENT
OTHER GEORGIA LINES EXPECT
ED TO FOLLOW.
A MERRY RAILROAD WAR IN PROSPECT
Cut Upon Transportation Of Gotten. As Soon as
Seaboard' Action Was Known Central
Of Georgia Asked Authority
TO Make Change.
TO Make a Change.
ATLANTA Constitution


The Seaboard Air Line has again don
ned its lighting clothes. and has gone
cunning for big game, and the knowing
ones in railroad circles predict lively
times in the near future The Seaboard
--lr Line has published a tariff which
makes cut of nearly so per cent il
cotton rates from Atlanta and Athens tc
Norfolk and Portsmouth, effective to-
morrow, The Goth inst.
There is long story behind the pres
ent incident in connection with the Sea
boards prediction for rate cutting
with which the public is familiar. So
numerous and astonishing We're the cuts
iii freight and passenger rates that Mr..
+. st. John and his able lieutenants
could always be counted upon to apply
heroic remedies to the rate situation
when in their judgment the Seahoard
got Il short deal in rate manipulations.
Competing lines called this road pi-
rate. while its friends called it the only
independent uD-to-date railroad enter
ing Atlanta from the east, and their only
protection against the tremendous inter
ests represented by the Southern Rail
way.
At last. in August. 1896 this warfare
resulted in the most radical rate-sashine
in the history of southern railroading
he Seaboard declared reduction OF
So per cent in all freight rates from tbs
east. partly to secure freight and partly
70 force its connections to make certait
concessions in reference to sleeping cal
service to New Orleans.
The Southern called a council of war
and decided to fight the devil with fire
and Immediately made the astounding
cut of so per cent, declaring that they
could stand it as long as the Seaboart
could. and that it would be war to thu
bitter end.
COMMISSION TAKES A HAND.
Then the Georgia railroad commission
took a hand for the protection of the
smaller Georgia towns. and fatty inform
ed the beligerent roads that unless the
local points were protected the commits
sion would do some cutting in the loca
rates on its own account to prevent dis
elimination against local points.
Meantime, some Southern stockholders
went before Judge Simonton and praye6
that an Injunction be granted restrain
ing both roads from cutting rates. and
requiring the old rates restored. This
was done, and many thought it clever
piece of strategy on the part of the
Southern, to tie the hands of the Sea
board. Anyway. a truce was patched
up. and apparently chere has been har.
mony until now.
Recently, at a rate meeting in Angus
ia, Mr.. G. r. Capps, general freight
agent of the Seaboard. stated to the rep.
resentatives of the road that in the move.
ment of cotton from Georgia points the
Seaboard was getting the short end OF
the bargain; that for some reason the
business was being diverted from his
line, and intimated that rates were be
ing secretly shrunk by other lines. and
gave them to understand that measures
would be taken for the protection of his
road unless rates were maintained.
CENTRAL MEETS THE CUT.
Inquiry was made at the office of the
Georgia railroad commission this morn
ing to ascertain what action, if any, that
board would take in the premises. Yes,
terday an application was sent the com
mission by the Central railroad. asking
for authority to meet the reductions