Alexandria gazette. [volume] (Alexandria, D.C.) 1834-1974, 1873-05-07
ICUMMU NICAIEU.
RaiIrOad MenIicnntS.

Railroad III endicnnts.
have seen in tho New York Tribune an ar
ticle with the above caption and make some
selections from it orsuch as will be most inter
csting and applicable to this latitude. 1t is
from an interview of reporter for that paper
with Mr.. Horace Clark, President OF the
Union Pacific Railroad:
Rcporter-When did you determine on abol-
;chinr the rrcc-puss system on the Union Pacific
Mr., Clark-Wc began curtailmcnt in the
Snrng of 1872 During the year 1851 Il, under a
former administration, tho system OF exchange
railroad passes YVES abolished, oy Wh hn ar are
raads in exchange for theirs, In 1872 there was
Very great diminuton in the number of passes
issued but they were still given to members OF
CONGRESS on application, and occasionally TO
constituents on the application OF Senators ana
members ard other Influential persons. lac
editorial fraternity came in for u fair share. Tie
free-pnss system was never practically and thor
mrhIv abrogatcd until after tho election IN
| March, 1873.
Rcportcr--From what classes of persons were
| the majority OF applications rcccIvedi
| Air Clnrk-They came from all clnsses, but
the mi ,rty from the wcathy-generally from
| pcrsor.s able to pay their fares. They were So
| c;,,d octa ion;liy in behalf of the poor, but as
a general rule they were sought by the rich and
| powerful
Reporler-Wcre mary applications made by
Senators and Representatives III Congress?
Mr.. Clurk-Ycs, u great many. During 1872
passes were uniformly issued where the app'lc"-
! ii.n embmccd the senator or Representative
and his immediate family. Where the applies
| tons of these ollici.ls went beyond their immo-
| dutc families free passes were not grantee Us u
| general rule.
Re, orter-Frum what other officers of the
Government. were applications fer free passes
| received?
Mr. Cark-From n great many. haven't
the record by me.
| from any members Of the Cabinet or the PrcSi-
| dent?
Mr.. CNrk-I think there were from or on be-
| half of some Of the Cabinet
Rcpurtcr-Wc ere free passes issued Oh such APP
| plic,LonS?
last. l do not think that an appicatio was ever
| made for pass on behalf Of the President.
! Rnportrr-l have noticed an account of tho
President, accompanied hy large party, hay
ing passed over the Uiion Pacific Railroad
within u few DAYS past Did they pay their fares
cial car to be rendered for the use Of the Prrsl-
dent nj his family. nludc that chs { an cxcel'-
ti:,n, out ot respect to the PRESIDENT and his
office.
Rcpurtcr--W by are members Of Congress bet
Ter entitled t. free l=s,S than the general public?
! Mr.. C!nri-Wcil, they are not ;" many III
number, and tue general puhlc don't vote III
| Congress.
Rcportcr-Tor what reason, then, have free
passes been given to persons othc- tna!i mem brs
| of Congress on the nppCutl n OF the latter?
Mr. Clurk-It is rather difficult To say. sup
pose members of Congress are applied to BY out
| sIdcrs to get passes for them, just rs they arc
bounded Tor official positions, and they yield to
the Importantly.
Union Pacific Railroad
Mr.. Clark tn nix ST. so each way. On pas
scngcr traffic from ocean to ocean, this rond re-
| ccivcs the pro rata proportion OF the through
| fare, which is fixed III competition with the
steamer limo.
Rcpor1er-What sum of money would, in
your opinion, be lost to the Union Pacific Rail
road if the free lass System, heretofore exist
| ing. had been continued?
Mr.. Ciark-Hunlrcds Of thousands of dollars
per annum, to say nothing Of the Losses result
ing from the general decentralization OF the en-
ployces of the road which the free pass system
| cnBcndcTs. ;, .
Reporter-What is the number OF applications
| for passes now received?
Mr.. Clark-Wc don't keep the count. Hun
drcIs are sometimes applied for in single day.
| The applications arc made very often i'll behalf
Of other persons than the applicants for the
passes and they are BASED on all sorts OF tounda-
| lions political influence, personal influence
| and both poverty and wealth. The reasons rs
| signed for the applications are exceedingly
amusing, and are almost Infinite in their variety
Repor.er-I have been to that passes issued
to members of Congress have been transferred
to other persons who rode free upon them Low
| is this?
| Mr.. Clark-I believe that is so. One man WAS
| lately arrested on the rond travelling pass
| issued to a member of Congress. He proved l
believe, that he bought it for about half the price
Of IL tic ct in Salt Lake City. The conductors
| cannot know the members of Congress as they
wear no badges. but q fcllow-passcnger saw tho
pass, and knowing the holder WAS not the Con-
gresham named in tho pass, ''pcached'' on him,
is it is termed on the road. There is no mode of
securing the road against tho frauds upon its
revenue resulting from the transfer and sale OF
passes. To send passes TO friend is n common
thing