Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1899-03-05
CUT RATES TO EUROPE.
Ham and other Com
panies Lower Prices.
New York Tlmes-4th)

The NEUTRALITY-SUSPICIOUS., the Atlantic
Transport, the Anchor French, and Red
Star lines yesterday announced cuts in
their cabin rates, following the example
of the White Star. the American, and the
Cunard companies. The agents here Of
the North German Lloyd Line have not
as yet been ordered to make any reduc-
ton. and it was said at the Office of the
company yesterday that they did not look
for any change in the rates, despite the
cable report that rates had been cut on
their line. The cuts on the Hamburg
American Line are as follows:
For the Fuerst Bisparck and the Au-
guste Victoria the minimum for first
cabin is reduced from 500 TO $50 and i'm
the second cabin from $50 20 $3.50. On the
steamers Pennsylvania, Pretoria, Patri-
ella, and Waldorsee the first cabin mini
mum rate is reduced from $G5 TO $50, and
in the second cabin from $3.50 TO S3S on
the steamers Palatia. Patria, and Phoe-
nicia, which carry only second cabin pas
sengers and Storage, the second cabin
minimum rate is reduced from S45 to so.
A further reduction of per cent. is al
lowed for 'round-trip" tickets. This sche-
dulo will go into effect at once, and con-
tinue until further notice.
The most remarkable cut was an
nounced by the Atlantic Transport Line.
President Il. NJ. Baker came on from
Baltimore in connection with the matter.
He announced a reduction from so to SIS
for the minimum rate OF cabin fare. This
is $3.50 less than the Storage rate on sew
eral of the lines.
President Baker said that he did not
know why the White-Star Line had cut
its rates, bur the cuts having been made,
his company had been forced TO follow.
He believed, however, that his linz would
benefit by the cut.
The Anchor Line has cut it's minimum
rate from 500 to $50 for first cabin, and
from $3.50 20 $50 and $50 for second cabin,
according TO the vessel.
The French Line makes a reduction of
10 per cent. on the minimum rates for the
first cabin, but the second cabin Is not
affected.
The Red Star Line has made a new
schedule. to be in effect until May 18TH
The minimum rate for first cabin is re-
duced from $50 TO $50. and for second
cabin from $40 10 $751;
There would be no surprise II the cut
Of the Atlantic Transport Line to $25
would result In the rate war extending
to the steerage. which has not yet been
affected. Just where the rate war Is
going 20 take them. no steamship agent
ventures TO predict. II was said that the
action of the White Star Line In cutting
it's rate was due TO the Allan Line and
the Dominion Line, both operating from
| Canada. These companies have been d.
verting traffic by lower rates, having fail
ed 20 ratify the pool arrangement agreed
TO by their representatives IN the confer
ence.
But while the daily developments have
upset all Of the assurances of the agents
that their lines would not be affected by
the action of the other companies, and
while there Is uncertainty as 10 what may
happen, there is another side Of the story.
Ii is said that so far as any action yet
taken is concerned, the cuts will have
virtually no effect on the exchequers Of
the companies. This is explained by the
fact that all of the lines have booked al
ready most Of the summer business and
that very few who attempt TO secure pas
sage for the next four months Will md
any mnimum-rate tickets left
That this was the case was admitted at
more than one office yesterday. The
agents hope that before the cuts can ope-
rate to cause any sacrifice some agree
ment Will be effected.