The Indianapolis journal., 1890-06-17
AFFAIRS OF THE RAILWAYS.
A Growing Evil I'm the Railroad Service
Irregular Methods of Ticket Agents.

A Growing EVIL In the Ra1lroad service
Irregular Methods of Ticket Agents.
Said 3 general passenger agent yesterday:
"One of the growing evils in the railroad
service is this buying business; it makes
dishonest men," He then named three city
ticket agents who had gone wrong in the
last few months, whose first trouble begun
in buying business. or hiring passengers to
go over their respective lines. expecting
that the company would reimburse them
under the head of expenses; but of late
the auditors have learned the facts, and,
when such claims are sent in, ask for par
ticulars. On finding how the money Is ex-
pended, they decline to pass the claim. and
the ticket agent is loser just the sum he
paid for the business. When he learns
that his claim will not be paid he takes
money out of the drawer to make up the
deficIt, carrying it along, expecting that
something will come up to help him out.
The travelling auditor comes along, discov-
ers the leak, and demands an explanation,
and the excuse is given that the agent
paid that amount for business. expecting
the company to reimburse him, but it failed
TO 60 through the auditors Office. While
to be dishonest he has used the company's
money in manner he is not expected to,
and he finds himself in trouble. Or some
roads where the business Is handled loosely,
such claims often slip through and nothing
more Is heard OF them. but on the better
class of roads this matter is closely
watched, and the auditor as in the case OF
the Louisville Il Nashville road, discovers
the irregularities" In this connection the
passenger agent said that the bills for ex-
fur iv,b baf linz
agents are now much more closely scru-
tiniZed. and it is not an uncommon thing
for travelling passenger agent to ma
something deducted from his salary when
the month comes around where he has been
extravagant in spending money, expecting e
the company to reimburse him. This Is an
evil which has been growing in late years.
and one which the management of railways
are now endeav0ring to effect reform III.
Michigan Central Rate e-Cutting Cases.
CHICAGO, June 16-District Attorney
Ewing applied to Judge Blodget in the
federal court to-day, for writ to bring the
Michigan Central Railroad Company into
court to ascertain who is responsible for an
infringement of one of the provisions of
the nterstate-commerce law. The recent
federal grand jury returned an indictment
against the railroad, and Alexander Mackay,
Frederick G. Nicholas, Matson p. Griswold,
Arthur w. Street and E. l.. SOmers, freight
| agents and employees of the road. for dis
| elimination in the matter of freight rates.
| The interstate-commercel law provides that
no railroad shall carry freight for q less
| price than other railroads unless it gives
notice of the cut in rates so that its COM
| petitors can be able to meet it. The Michi-
| gan Central contracted with other lines to
charge rate of 20 cents per 100 pounds fol
| grain from Chicago to New York, and 1T is
| charged that while that rate was in effect
| and secretly and without notice to its COM
| petitors, the Michigan Central, on Nov. 10
last. carried &C, 900 pounds of oats and GO. 600
| pounds of corn for Chas. Counselman & Co.
from Chicago to the seabOard for Is 210
! cents per one hun dred weight. Such dis
| elimination is directly in violation of the
| interstate-cOmmerce act, it was claimed
and an indictment followed. The railroad.
| by its attorney, appeared in court and
raised the point that whatever violation OF
| pany knew nothing about 1T. and 1t could
| not be punished criminally. 1t was admit
| ted that in civil case perhaps railroad
might be liable for the acts of its servants
but it was contended that this principle
| did not extend as far as criminal case
| where the railroad was to be fined. The
| district attorney said he was entitled to in
| terrogate the officers of the railroad under
/
| knowledge of the violation of the law. anC
| to that end he argued for the issue of the
| writ. The court took the application un-
der advisement.
Western Passenger Rates on q Firm Basis
One week has passed since the Western
roads restored rates. and there is no rumol
of rate-cutting, and general confidence il
gradually developing in regard to the per
manance of rates. Every body seems salts
fed that the war is over, and all show
disposition to avoid further disturbing o.
rates. The general passenger agents. with
out exception, admit that it was fruitles
campaign, and resulted only in genera
loss. All the roads which were members o.
the defunct transmissouri association
have become members of the Western
| Passenger Association except the Missouri
Pacific and the Denver d Rio Grande, ant
| it is thought that before the close of tn,
present week these roads will become mem
bers. One reason for the growing conf
dence is the appointment of j. f. Goddard
as chairman of the Western Passenger As
sociation. There has never been man a
the head of the organization of so mucl
| ability, and his suggestions and recon
mendations will command respect.
1 - Pergonal. Local and General Notes.