Evening journal., 1916-03-27
eastern Shore MAY
SAVE BOAT Lines
Pennsy Lays Down Condi-
tions Under Which 1t
Would Operate
IS LIKELY TO
INCREASE RATES

BALTIMORE. Md. March 27.-The
question of continuing the bay line
boat service TO the Eastern Shore is
now up to the Interstate Commerce
Commission. and the action Of the
Joint committee of the Maryland. Del
aware and Virginia and the Balti-
more. Chesapeake and Atlantic COM
panies in agreeing to join in the petit
ton asking that the Pennsylvania be
allowed 10 continue this service un-
interruptedly until January has
caused all who felt apprehension
over the prospect of its early discon-
tinuance OF the service to breathe
more freely.
They say il is almost assured that
the commission will grant this per-
mission and may expect favorable
action from Washington this week.
Next Friday was the day set by tho
Pennsylvania as the last one on
which il would give this service.
Therefore. the commission, to make
its resembling order effective, must
act before that time.
That il viii agree to the contin-
uance OF the service as at present is
gathered from the fact that Commis-
sioner Clements sent for the Pennsyl-
vania Railroad officials and asked
them to state the terms under which
they would agree 20 comply with the
request OF the Baltimore merchants
and the Eastern Shore patrons il the
commission acted favorably. The
resolution of the board Of the COM
panies saying they will give the serv-
ice. with the restrictions, until jan
uary l shows their attitude in the
matter.
These restrictions do not seem 10
be necessarily burdensome. The com
panies say they are to be privileged TO
sell the boats or any of them within
the operating period If a satisfactory
offer is made. They also ask the right
to charge higher rates for both pas
sengers and freight on the boats This
last is due to the fact that the COM
panies have not paid all expenses and
fxed charges. This has been made up
4 by the railroad. and it does not want
. to continue this burden when it is
tavoring patrons of the lines.
This matter of increased rates
+ brings up subject which. many I3alti-
moreans feel. il will be we'll for those
who have been urging the Pennsylvania
and the Interstate Commerce Commits
sion to allow this heat service to 90 or
20 consider carefully. They can have
no kick and very little redress. il is as
serted if il should be deemed that tn,
new rates are excessive. the Inter
state Commerce Commission may
not willingly give relief in view o.
the stand the Baltimore merchants an,
those on the Eastern Shore have takoi
to have the service uninterrupted. j
II is asked for relief it will likely say
Il that the patrons knew these increase
would have to hc made and. therefore
ought TO be willing 20 stand for them.
II complaint is made 10 the steam
boat companies or to the railroad. boil
could very properly come back with th'
assertion that they were not anxious
to continue the service and only did 81
at the repeated request of the patrons
They might say. further and have th'
statement backed mp by its first cors
in the matter that the railroad IS viii
ing to abandon the service and had al
ready announced its intention of doin!
80: that it is ready 20 stop running tn
boats and may likely take action to d.
so unless they can he made 10 pay bet
ter than m the past.
That this will place the patrons be-
tween two horns OF a dilemma from
neither of which will it be easy for
them 10 extricate themselves is tho
view taken of the situation by those
who have watched the course OF
events.
These same careful students OF the
situation also declare that II will be
t,rroucorrr fos- Tho na1ffuaorn hucfuace
men TO get busy and prepare against
January I. when the Pennsylvania
will once more place the boats and
the property on the market. II is
said they cannot rely with too much
confidence that some outside interest
will come in and take them over and
afford permanent relief in this way
The railroad will be in better posi-
tion 10 make a bargain now than II
would be if the boats were not run.
u. ming. II may be able to show greater
earnings and so demand a better
81 price for the boats and the wharves
& This gives it all the advantage tC
bargain and viii be mp 20 Baltimor,
10 see that arrangements are mad,
s in time against a possible future
stoppage
No Deal Closed.
vi Local officials OF the companies sa
that steps looking TO the purchase d
vi these companies hav. not progressc
very far. 90 far as they are nforme,
8 Certainly no deal has been closed
:3 In the meantime, William l.. Marhur
81 is at work on the petition the Baltimor
Merchants and Shippers Associatio
will send to the Interstate CommerC
Commission. II is understood this vi
s. ask for an entire annulment of III
order compelling the Pennsylvania {
give up these lines. Should this l
~ granted IL will place the situation @,
actlv where it was before the order {
sell the lines was passed. This may eI
O able the railroad TO 90 ahead perml
& nently with the operation of the boat
which il is believed il will be willing
do with ample rates and sufficient bus
ness to make them pay a profit and II
turn something on the bonds and 10 n
stockholders. Mr.. Marhury is expectC
Ia to have the petition ready for submit