The morning call., 1890-11-25
ALONG THE RAIL.
No More Payment of Commissions
to Agents.

The Trapscontinental Association has adj
jonrned to meet in this city on January 10.
1891. One Of the issues discussed at the
meeting just closed in Chicago was the prac-
ticability of abolishing the payment OF COM
missions, and it is learned from reliable
source that the demoralized condition OF
rates among transcontinental lines, resulting
entirely from the much-abused custom OF
paying agents commission, has convinced
that body that there is but one way TO re-
store passenger business to its normal con-
| dition namely. by stopping entirely the pay
| ment of commissions Accordingly. such
an agreement was effected. 1t is said to be
the strongest Of the kind ever drawn up, and
will take effect on December 1st.
According to men well Informed in the
passenger business this condition of affairs
has been brought about by the greed of Il few
agents, who, not satisfied with the commits
sons received by them, have sought to in-
crease their revenues by dividing their mar
gin with passengers, thus inducing larger
number to purchase from them. The refusal
of agents TO keep their commissions instead
OF dividing with passengers has necessitated,
from time to time, the organization Oh pas
Senger associations, which have always, as
far as this city is concerned, been short
lived ana much violated. Commission pay
ing is admitted by all railroad men to be the
chief source of decentralization in rates and
rate wars, and anything which Will stop a0.
| sOlutely the payment OF commissions VIII
solve the rate question.
OF the methods ustd by c. P. Huntington
to keep the Goulds from controlling the pol
icy If the Pacific Mail Steamship Company,
of which corporation they have, by a recent
election OF officers. again become masters,
the Chicago Tribune OF recent date says:
George Gould was ousted from his position IN
the Pacific Mail through the instrumentallty OF
| c. +. Huntington While directing the manage
ment of the company, Mr.. Gould proposed some
progressive operations. For one thing lie con-
Iempated the extension OF the company,s bus-
ness by utting on steamships between Tacoma
and China and Japan. Mr.. huntington thought
The carrying out OF that scheme would throw
business IniO the hands OF the Northern Paclhc
Railroad, which would otherwise 60 10 bis roads,
The Central Pacific and the Southern Paciiie
He therefore accumulated enough stock OF the
Pacific Mail TO depose Gould and 10 put In his
place j. b. Houston. who had formerly been
President. Huntington did not possess ma
jOriiy Of tile stock himself but acquired voting
ers. Now, 1t is stated. new combination has
been made up with sufficient stock to dominate
the company's affairs and leave Huntington oul
OF The question altogether.
There have been heavy transactions in Pacific
Mail stock recently and what was offered Tor
sale was promptly absorbed by the anti Hunting.
ion Interest. Henry Willard Is said TO be Il melll-
Der OF The new Pacific Mail combination. lie
would, naturally, like 10 see the Pacific Mail run
benefit that The Northern Pacific Railroad would
derive from IL. The matter, however, seems 10
resolve ITSELF more directly into conflict be-
tween Huntington and the G0uldj.
A dispatch received in this city yeste rday
announces that hereafter the Colorado and
Midland will run their tourist sleeper from
Denver to Colorado. Returning. the east
bound train FROM San Francisco Will carry
the Pullman as far as Denver, and the Den
Yer and Rio Grande will reverse the order by
hauling the tourist car East and bringing the
Pullman 10 San Francisco.
The Southern Pacific representatives to
the recent meeting of the TranScOntntal
Association at Chicago are still in the East.
Vice-President Stubs left for New \ ors
Immediately upon adjournment, While Smurr
and Gray are IN Chicago.
Tho Vanderbilt management has decided
to carry passengers on the FAST mail running
between Chicago and New York. This train
one sleeper, and the time has been reduced
to % hours.
J. G. Mccall of the Erie and J. F. McCar-
thy of the Wabash have returned from a
trip to Southern California.
James Patterson, Travelling Freight and
Passenger Agent of the Northwestern. has
returned from Southern California.
The weekly excursion over the North
western left yesterday for the East with a
full complement Of passengers.
Assistant General Superintendent Pratt
Of the Southern Pacific has returned from
Ogden.
". H. Hulburt, General Agent of the
Union Pacific, has returned fro III Ogden.
General Passenger Agent Goodman of the
Southern Pacific mas also returned from
Ogden.
Chief Engineer II cod Of the Southern Pa
citc has gone TO Ogden.
Senator Stanford is at Pal0 Alto.