The free lance. (Fredericksburg, Va.) 1885-1926, 1903-03-31
The Boat Question.

The Boat Question.
Mr.. Williams has published in The
Free Lance and The Daily Star.
ever his own name, and that OF VIII
liam ID. Scott, a freight and passenger
tariff tn go into effect on the Rappahan-
mock April first. The rates are consider
ably below anything heretofore known
ia this connection, and are much fellow
the figaro at which any line ling the
business can pay expenses.
The object Mr. Williams has in view is
obvious; ne wishes TO dictate to the peo-
pie OF the RsppahaDnock Valley Just
what service they shall have, aud what
they shnll pay for such service as he. in
hls wisdom, sees tit to give them
AIR. Williams hopes TO involve the Peo-
pies Steamboat Line in a rate war.
counting on the Neems Lines financial
strength TO outiast the new line In this
elf0rt be is doomed e disappoint ment
from the start We shall not enter upon
any such contest. Time after time the
people of the upper part of the river pc
titoned Mir. Williams to give them relief
from q schedule that wac hut "A travssty
on transportation; the Business Mems
Association of Fredericksburg. urged bv
people who desired 60 have a convenient
means of reaching their trading place
took up the matter, and made appeal al
ter appeal 10 the management of the
Neems Line, without result From time.
TO time, for the last thirty FIVE years. has
the Weems been asked for relief. Two
years ago the Business Men s Association
took up the matter with the determine
ton to accomplish something. Mr.. Scott
was interviewed by committees, resolu-
.
terviewed, and wac appealed to by letter
after letter from individuals as well as
from the association Mr. Scott. speak
ing for Mr.. Williams. and backed by Col
+ ID. Cole, who vOuehed for the inialiibii
ity of MIR. Williams in regard to boats
and boat transportation, stated on the
hoOr of the Association room in Freder-
lckshurg. In open meeting, that the SEIZED
ule proposed (the one now being run by
the Iourlst could not be made by any
rordinary boat, and - boat to make that
run would have to be built TO order at a
heavy cost. Evidence was brought which
satisfied the large majority OF the MEM
hers OF the Association OF the inaccuracy
OF the statement, and that the excuse OF
Tered by the Wcems Line for not giving
the service was disingenuous, aud the
position untenable
Meantime, Mr. Williams peremptorilv
disposed OF the question las he though0
by stating in plain English that he
WOULD NOT give the service, saying
also that the business would not paw a
boats expenses
Backed by the Business Mems Associa-
ton with their mora support. and to
certain extent by appropriations from
tneir treasury, afew Oithe members took
up the matter, and quietly put the boat
on under charter from the owners In
lees than so days the boat began pawn
Us operating expenses, and the business
has steadily increased eyer since. Every
contention made by Mr. Scott aud Col.
Cole before the Association was SIN shed
and the naked truth revealed that Mr.
Williams, Tor perscnaiends. and in the in
tsrest of another section, was systemati-
caliy imposing upon our people
Inc hight Is ROW on between The PeO-
pie and The Monopoly The Monopoly
is already Glowing Is hand by taxing
toe people otone section 70 defray the ex.
pense OF whipping in" the people of an
other section. Rates have been raised
about fifteen percent. between most of
the wharyes on the Rappahannock and
Baltimore No reduction in freiyhts from
fredericksburg has been advertised by
MI Williams iOrany wharf below Urban.
ma Why does not the same rate appiv
to lrsington, Mr. Scott? Will the Cor.
poration Commission oi Virginia allow
you To impose on the shippers in one d.
rectiou 20 recOup yourself for "A totally
unnecessary expense you are going To il
another And had you thought that
your rates TO Norfolk must be proper
tiouate? Please get hold OF yonr list
aud revise 1t. When thai is satisfactorily
done, The Peoples Line will be ready t.
come IN and meet your rates We would
oe glad 70 nave you make a correspond.
log reduction in rates from Baltimore
and Norfolk to Frederick sburg-nay We
insist that yeu shall do 30. Ii mny not
exactly meet your views. aud NAV throw
your little game some " nat out oi gear:
nut be good aud come around gracefully
on cant whip insthirty or forty thous-
and people who are behind The Peop.e's
steamboat Line. nor can YOU rob a Ike
number at the other end in your effer,
10 preserve your absolute sway over
Iidewatsr Virginia. Already ia capital
being thrust upon us with which to com
plete our line 10 Baltimore, Norfolk, aud
The Eastern Shore. The People have
not needed to be told your little game
They know what you do when you have
iull control. Many have sweet recollec
lions OF Joyous hours spent in the da-
and the cold on bleak Wharves. wal 4
Tor boats thatcame next day. Tb, OBJ
that, but they don't want any p. ey hk
VIM .. Garter Car or 4
KIDNAPPED HERO