New-York tribune., 1907-08-27
RATE WAR MERRILY ON.
French and Cunard Lines Make Cuts
Others May FOllO1C.

-r4ro s<ear,sbin lines announced reductions N
their rates yesterday Soon after the French Inc
made public reduction in its minimum nrst c10in
rate to Europe a cable message was received rom
Hamburg announcing that the Cunard had not only
reduced it's saloon rates. but had made a cut OF
g 50 in second class and steerage rates as we'll
Steamship officials this city take this acton |"
mean that the war over rates Is on In earnest
II is expected that within few days tne inter-
national Mercantile Marine Company. which con-
trcis the American the White Star the Feeo Ilar'
the Atlantic Transport and other steamship AneS'
will follow suit with reduction IN us rates Ol
steerage manager OF a North Atlantic hne sai1
Yesterday that he inclined 70 DOUBT tne prODd-
bitv Of a war over steerage rates. because OF tne
great loss it would mean to the companies OOner
officials OF steamship lines. however SAID Iney De
Heved that the action OF the Cunard COMPANY m
reducing its steerags rates meant war over tneIn
as we'll as over rates for first class passage All
OF the steamship lines recently cut their steerase
rates by agreement. TO combat the Russian Nolun-
teer feet which has established service between
Ifbau Rotterdam and this city. Further cuts are
expected soon
Tbe French Lines reduction in it's minimum
first cabin rates yesterday amounted TO from SO
TO s25- The minimum rate On La Provence was
reduced from So 10 SIS and on la Lorraine and
La Savoie from S95 70 $50 No change VIII De
made it is understood. until after the summer
season in the first cabin rates from Europe as Une
companies have all the ships booked 20 ther hi-hI
until the middle Of October
announcement Of the Cunard Line that Ss2 50 was
,ts bottom price for frst-cass passage became
known here officials OF the White Star Line Whleh
t.aIongs 10 the international Mercantile Marine
Company said that their company would prooao!y
meet the reduction within few DAYS The reduc-
tfons Of the French Line of course. were due 10
the recent sharp cuts made by the Hamburg
American and North German Lloyd lines
One prominent steamship man, speaking yester-
dav Of the reduction by the Cunard Line. said that
company had regarded with alarm the success OF
the large new boats OF the White Star Line He
said the comparatively low rates such boats as
the Baltic, the Adriatic and the Cedric had d.
verted a certain amount Of patronage from the
Cunard boats This. he said. TO his mind the
principal reason for the reductions annOunces yes
terday. one of the officers OF German line de-
cIared it was mistake TO think that his line was
fighting CUnard alone On the contrary, he
said that his line was fighting all other lines. and
that the other lines returning the compliment
John Lee Of the International Mercantile Marine
Company. said that at present there were no do
veIopments TO report SO far as his company. ar
least concerned
There is little I know present" ne added
so far as I can see. the German lines are acting
n accord. There has been understanding
among the North Atlantic companies. but there
was nothing binding nothing TO prevent them from
doing what they are doing now. What the end
will be IS not difficult 10 forecast After every
company has lost about much money as it feels
IL can afford. there will be meetings. and cOEces-
sious and agreements without end AS 10 this
conpany's future action. am in no position 10
saw a word because I know nothing.
2 A. 3. Widener, one OF the directors OF the
Mercantile Marine. said he had heard nothing Of
a reduction of rates by the company The regular
meeting of directors. he said, would be held
this afternoon and II any reduction was coE-sHl-
plated by the officials it would be brought up then