The Washington times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1902-1939, 1903-07-25
The Southern War.


Speculation is still rife among the 10
cal railroad men as to the motives be-
hind the absorption of the Florida and
Peninsula Railroad by the seaboard
Air Line. and as to Just What kind of a
deal it is that the Illinois Central has
made with the Eastern line for the con-
troll of through and long-hsuI freight.
Some OF the men interested are of the
opinion that another war is in sight with
the Southern and the other Morgan
properties on one side and the indepen-
dent seaboard AIR Line. several OF the
other smaller Southern lines. ana the
Illinois Central on the other hand. That
the Louisville and Nashville control NAV
be turned over 10 the Southern Is now
doubted as Mr.. Morgan is said to be able
to manipulate Il as well under the con-
troll of the Atlantic Coast Line az II 81
were part Of the Southern. While Mr.
Morgan does not own the Atlantic Coast
Line, the system belongs 10 the COM
munity OF interest group and the officers
are certain to obey instructions. As the
Louisville and Nashville taps certain
territory through which the Illinois Cen
tral runs and the Southern reaches all
OF the points OF Importance on the Sea
board Air Line except in Florida. tho
war. If started, is likely to extens over
all the territory in the Southeast and IN
into parts OF the Central West. There
nave been wars between the Southern
and the seaboard Air Line in the past
and the seaooard put Up such a hand
some contest that Mr.. Morgan Is said
TO honor the owners and officers OF I;
with all of his hatred-and he has 10,
Of It.
The first fight came over the question
OF dinerentials allowed by the seaboard
Air Line, which displeased the soutb-
eastern Passenger Association and a
rate war which Is still remembered, wit n
awe by local railroad men followed
Passengers and freight were practically
carried free. sc low were the rate
Finally the Southern won, but not until
the Seaboard had compelled It 10 build
certain lines In Florida with a record
breaking speed which has not vet been
excelled in that locality This was done
to prevent the Southern from being shut
out OF Florida altogether for at Ioas.
4 whole season. 1t is hard proposition
20 down the construction department NJ
the Southern-aIong any part OF ita svs-
tense IL is safe TO say that in the end
the Southern got much the best OF the
struggle. Since then, II is alleged =
has been encToaching upon the Seaboard
30 rapidly that something has to be done
to keep II from being cut off from i'm
portanc terminals. Millions OF dollars
have been spent by the vastly rich Men
dendorff & Williams syndicate, which
practically controls all OF the seventy
millions OF stocks and bonds OF the Sea
board. as we'll as all or the street rail
way system IN the principal cities IN
the South. including Richmond, Norfolk,
and Atlanta. to improve the. Scaboard.
and new connections are now being cor
structed so that when the Illinois Cen
trai reaches Birmingham II is going to
be in possession or terminals equal 10
any In the South, outside OF New Or
leans, and I'm the latter place the Ill.,
nois Central has terminals among the
best Ia the country. When all OF this
has been framed Up" the seaboard is
going 10 be IN a powerful position. and
IL Is expected that there Is going 10 be
come retaliation for the wounds Of he
past.