The morning call., 1892-03-20
GOODMAN'S OBJECTION.
He Refuses to Reduce Rates for
the Templar C0nclaVe.
Every Road in the United States Has Agreed
TO a Reduction With the Exception Of
the Southern Pacific Company.

The passenger meeting of the Trans
Continental Association just closed at
Monterey was not all harmony, as many of
thOse participating in the session would
have the outside world believe. These
meetings are always held In secrer, and
there are fearful pains and penalties pre-
scrlbed for any member who, in moment
Of f0rgetlulness or anger, would venture to
disclose the nature OF matters discussed or
d cisiUns reached. While railroad men as
a rule are from extensive experience very
skillful in concealing their affairs from the
public eye yet it happens now and then
that their plans fall fat thus causing their
methods to be known and criticized. II is
not often, however, that Transc0n tinental
Association discussion Is made public, for
il IS the avowed object of this organization
20 maintain high transportation and keep
the people in tue dark as far as possible
concerning the making and unmaking Of
rates.
TO SQUEEZE TRAFFIC.
The Transcontinental Association is a
great railroad pool for the purpose of
squeezing traffic for the ultimate dollar.
Sometimes the members fight, and then fol-
lows a reduction in rates. When they
bridge the gulf with span of mutual in-
old figure, and there remain until there is
another eruption. Just now there is serious
trouble in the association, and it originated
at the Monterey meeting Of last Thursday.
Il is the same old story OF Southern Pacific
greed, a sequel to which the Traffic Asso
citation OF California is now preparing.
Some months ago the Knights Templar
decided to hold their annual conclave at
Denver, opening Tuesday, August 8. OF
course. an affair of this kind draws largely
from all parts of the United States. Ii is
big thing for the railroad companies even
at the reduced rates heretofore granted by
all lines As soon as the decision Of this
great order was made known the Eastern
roads commenced to figure On a reduction.
Meetings were called OF the passenger asso-
Citations controlling territory in the New
England, Middle and Southern States, with
the result that rate equal to one fare for
The round trip was made everywhere.
This settled the matter outside the Pa
cihc COast, and when the IrsnscoDtinental
Association met last Thursday at Monterey
TO render a decision for the far West no
one supposed that the usual order Of things
would be changed, but to the great surprise
OF every one the Southern Pacific Company
voted against reduction.
ONE ROAD OBJECTS.
The proposition was to grant the usual
rate, equal to one fare for the round trip,
which would have made the rate $50. Every
member of the association expected that
the above-m mentioned rate would be pro-
posed, and every line agreed to the reduc-
ton with the exception of the Southern
Pacific.
The road was represented by General
Passenger Agent L. Ii. Goodman, and for
the frss time In his life he took With him
one OF bis assistants. r. a. Donaldson. As
will be shown there was considerable
method In his action 1t happens that Mr..
Goodman is Knight Templar OF high
standing and he did not care to vote against
the proposed reduction for his people, hence
the august presence Of Donaldson. Mr. Good
man participated in the discussion, but
when IL came time to vote he quietly with
drew. after instructing Donaldson to vote
no and listen to no compromise. A COM
promise was attempted just the same.
When the other delegates saw that it would
be of no use to urge $50 rate they. as rep
resentatives of lines connecting with the
Southern Pacific, proposed to allow the
Knights reduction on their roads al,ue.
agreeing TO give the Southern tactic lis
present proportion Of its regular rate Dom
aldson retired Tor a consultation with Good