St. Paul daily globe. [volume] (Saint Paul, Minn.) 1884-1896, 1893-04-06

in connection. In order to do this it
would be necessary TO hold a certificate
of authority from some Minnesota line.
The lines In this territory might
saw to this foreign corporation,
You are cut ing rates, and you
are violating the trust agreement,
and if you wish to do business here
and give the people a lower rate than
we give them, you must pay us $4,000
per year for certificate of authority TO
sell tickets in order that you may be
able TO procure license from the secre-
tary of state. Such is entirely possible
and highly probable under the condi-
tons OF this bill. The people of Mime
, sofa naturally wish the benefit of all the
competition they can get, and certainly
would hot wish that the lines leading
directly out of this state, and connect
ing with lines at points where there is
greater competition. should have the
power to absolutely shut out such COM
petition as could be done by this meas
ure. The penalty for cutting the rate
under the rules of the Western aSSOcia-
ton is 500 for the first Offense, $500 for
the second, and $500 for the third.
Our legislature has just taken cog
nlZance or the existence of a coal COM
bine. This was in every sense a trust,
but not nearly so bold and far-reaching
i'll its effects upon the people as is the
trust III the matter of passenger traffic.
The coal combine endeaVOred to cover
up their tracks under plausible pre-
text, but the Western Passenger aSSoci-
alton boldly issues a circular to its
agents containing an agreement with
specified penalties for its violation. 1t
seems surprising that the people will so
patiently endure trust directly in vio-
lation of law in the matter of the
sale of railroad tickets when in the
matter of the sale of coal they are so
quick to take action. This railroad trust
has taken millions from the people of
this state, but because it has been done
by railroads there has not been voice
raised in defense of tic people who
travel. Now when bill is introduced
which proposes to destroy the only ele-
ment which has the power to prevent
the absolute dictatiOn of this trust, sur
prlSlng as 1t may seem, men are found
III our legislature who would destroy
this one and only thorn in the side of
this trust, and the only method through
which the people can Ue secure against
It's mandate. Much has been said
against the gross frauds perpetrated by
the ticket broker, but 1t seems quite re-
markable that although this bill has
been under discussion for almost three
months that there has not been par
licle of evidence to show that any ticket
broker was guilty of any fraud. If
they are guilty. the criminal laws of the
state are certainly amply sufficient TO
protect the people against any wrong
doing and to punish the offenders.
This is certainly railroad measure,
pure and simple. introduced and fos-
tered by few strong lines and for fear
that they might not be able to pass it.,
as fathered by them. they have very
adroitly put forward their conductors,
who have been spending months of
their time at the capitol TO secure the
passage of this bill, with the view
doubtless of relieving the companies of
the charge that it was a corporation
measure and i'll order to catch public
favor through the personal popularity
of some of their conductors.
Larger commissions are paid by con-
meeting lines on through business.
railroad agents are prevented by the
Trust agreement from giving any part
or this to the passenger. The ticket
broker divides it and then sells identi-
cally the same ticket at discount.
Railroad companies discriminate
against localities by selling through
tickets at much lower rate in proper
ton. The broker, by locating at the
middle point and buying the unused
ticket, cOmpelS the railroad company to
carry both passengers, coming and go
ing, at the through rate. The fare from
Newport, VT. 10 Sioux City is only 81
more than TO st. Paul. The coupon
from st. Paul to Sioux city is worth So.
The broker prevents this discrimination
through the fact that the broker in New
port in sending a passenger to st. Paul
sells him Sioux City ticket and gives
rebate check on broker in ST. Paul for
the remaining coupon. While the broker
exists these determinations cannot at
feet the public.
This one instance is but sample of
the system of rates throughout the land.
st. Paul and Minneapolis are made to
suffer on account of the lower rates via
Kansas City"
Mr.. Mckenzie will be in the city until
the bill has been disposed OF.