The Portland daily press., 1892-11-19
ATLANTIC PASSENGER FARES.
Some Interesting Information About Ocean
Steamships and Ocean Travel.
Especial Correspondence

Steamships and Ocean Travel.
Especial Correspondence
OMAHA, Nov. 3.-Nowadays one hears
and reads so much about the develop
ment of the modern steamship that that
phase of the question which concerns
the pocketbook is to certain extent lost
sight of.
Most people of course are aware that
they can get across the Atlantic pretty
comfortably for about a hundred dol
lars; perhaps a little more, perhaps lit
tie less. But at that point, unless they
are in the habit of frequently crossing
the "herring pond" their knowledge
ceases.
The rates of passage charged by the
different steamship companies from New
York to Europe vary greatly, according
to the season of the year. During the
summer months they are fixed at as high
figure as possible, while in winter they
fall correspondingly.
The statement may sound paradox
cal, but it is nevertheless true that
steamship rates were never so high and
yet never so low as they are in this pres
ent year of grace. For fifty or sixty
dollars one can today obtain accom-
modations that it was simply impossible
to get at any price fifteen, even ten,
years ago, while on the other hand the
genial passenger clerk of any of the fast
lines will cheerfully relieve you of $500,
5000, or even $3.50, in exchange for
ticket to Liverpool, Havre, Southampton
or Hamburg. Such rates as those just
named were never dreamed of until
within the last few years.
The highest rates are those charged
by the lnman and White Star people for
accommodations in their crack steam
ers. City of New York, City of Paris,
and Teutonic and Majestic. All these
steamers have quarters for the rental of
which for 9, 81 or Z days $500 and
$3.50 are asked. The suites for which this
enormous rate is demanded consist of a
stateroom, bath and toilet room, and
small reception or drawing room, and
can be occupied by one, two, three or
four persons. The Hamburg-American
company follows closely. On its new
Augusta Victoria, No1nannia and Co
lumbia there are staterooms and deck
cabins renting for as much as $500. The
North German Lloyd also has accommo-
dations for which similar price is OBJ
tanned. So has the French Transat-
lantique. The Cunard line (as have also
the Arizona and Alaska of the Guion
line) has excellent deck cabins, for which
a good round sum is charged. There
are of course lots of cheaper berths on
the steamers named. Most of them have
accommodations which rent for only
$50. Others land better) bring $75, 800,
800, $125, $3.50, 5000 or $3.50, as the case
may be. Every taste and pocketbook
are provided for, and passengers, whether
they pay $50 or 5000, have equal deck and
saloon privileges.
Now as to second cabin rates. Natu-
rally enough there is not here the diver
sity of fares that prevails in the cabin.
The accommodations offered are too
nearly alike, and, moreover, the class of
travel for which they are designed is
not such as to make necessary any great
differences. Generally speaking, the
rate in the case of steamships plying to
English ports runs from $50 to $40. In
few cases $45 is asked, but that is the
limit. The French and German lines,
however, ask considerably more, and
doubtless offer better accommodations.
Their rate is from $50 to 500.
The steerage fare is $50, with small
additional charge when the travellers
objective point is Swedish, Norwegian
or Danish port
Until about 1875 the cabin rates Of
most Of the lines were pretty much alike,
varying from $40 to 800, according to
the berth. Then the Cunard and White
Star forged ahead of their rivals, fur
nished better accommodations and
charged more for them. The results are
now evident ON every hand. The sec
ond cabin rates at that time were $40,
sometimes $45, and the steerage-to or
from British ports-$28. So long as the
stream of immigration to the United
States lasted everything was lovely. The
steamship companies had all they could
do to handle the tremendous food of
travel which sped westward, and they
could not spare time to cut rates. But the
year 1880, which saw the climax of steer
age travel across the Atlantic, witnessed
also the commencing struggles of bitter
competition for business. So keen did the
rivalry become that in 1885 passengers
were being conveyed from Liverpool to
New York for ten dollars. When one
remembers that out of this sum the
selling agent was allowed a commission
Of two dollars, one is at a loss to under
stand how the business could be carried
on. However, such state of affairs
could not long endure, and the rate was
gradually increased to twenty dollars,
its present figure.
The influence of this long lasting dis
turbance in steerage fares was felt,
though not to very great extent, In the
second cabin and resulted in reduction
in several cases of from five to ten dol
lars in intermediate fares.
The greatest factor in the unsettling of
steerage rates is the Scandinavian trade.
Properly the business belongs to the di-
rect lines from Swedish and Norwegian
ports, but the Liverpool companies every