Omaha daily bee., 1893-10-29
AN OPEN
Commercial Travellers OF this United states
Voice Their Demands.

voice Their DEMANDS.
SOUTH BEND. Ind, Oct. Ito Members
of the Western Passenger Association:
G~entlemen-As chairman of the executive
committee, appointed at q convention held In
the city Of Chicago in January last for the
purpose of devising ways and means for
procuring the issuance of a 5,000-mile mileage
book, l desire to submit for your considera-
ton herewith a few reasons why we believe
commercial travellers are entitled to this
mileage book: The commercial traveller
pays for the mileage he uses, not the house
he represents. The salary and expense
account of the commercial traveller is each
year placed on one side of the scales on the
other side are the profits of his last years
work. A certain percentage of the latter
must outweigh the former or the salary
must be cut down until it will.
On what ground do you issue to q clergy
man a half-fdre permit and charge the COM
mercial traveller a premium for a 2-cent ratel
Which of these classes contribute most
largely to your businessl Which ships the
most freight? Which pays the most money
for passenger traficf Why carry one class,
who rarely ever ships a pound of freight
over any railroad in the country, for a less
rate than another who spends all his time
working up freight for shipment and is half
his time aboard your trainsl Why is IL that
every class and condition of society under
the sun excepting the commercial traveller
can procure q special rate on occasions of
excursionSf
The expense involved under your present
system of issuing mileage must prove an
enormous one to the various roads, and, as q
whole, it is a complicated and unsatisfactory
arrangement.
Under present conditions we hear much
talk relative to scalpers trading in these
mileage books. and the roads who appar-
emily are making the most noise about this
abuse are sometimes the ones who secretly
supply the scalper with them at reduced
rates. This annoyance and fraud can be in
a large measure prevented by a larger book
at 2 cents per mile when all the roads are
interested.
The various railroads of the country are
nearly all members of the great traffic asso-
Citations and the Western, Central, Eastern
and Southern associations embrace nearly
every line OF the road. The roads in these
associations traverse every section of the
country, and while there are q number Of
roads not members of these associations
still they are not sufficiently numerous,
when compared with those that are, to be of
great omen in the consideration OF the
question. The plan which l wish TO suggest
for the Issuance of this 5,0O0-mile book is
briefly this: Each general passenger agents
association sshall issue a 5,0OO-mile inter
changeable mileage book at the HAT rate of
800, this book to be good on all roads in the
territory over which you have jurisdiction.
The sale of these books to be under the
supervision Of an officer of the association.
As to this, l would suggest that when per-
sons wan one Of these books they De re-
quired to send their 500 to headquarters
and the book then be forwarded to soE;e
railway agent or to the indivldu al direct, or
the books could be placed on sale at certain
places throughout the country, as you may
deem best. The coupons of these tickets
could at stated intervals be presented at
headquarters and cashed. We believe that
four books OF mileage, which would cover
the railway lines Of the country as outlined
in this plan, would enable commercial tray-
elers to cover their territories with one OF
49, -. 81 80 AAs la~ a.r ~ m .>al
is sure of its Legitimate share OF passenger
tariff earned. The association has its cash
in advance and as fast as the mileage is
used the road which earns the cash can get
it by presenting the coupons. This does
away with the argument that the way back
road, which is financially irresponsible, can
dispose of the mileage and pocket
the currency. The commercial trav-
elers are willing that every necessary
restriction be placed on the sale and use Of
this mileage essential to the protection Of
your roads, but wish to insist that should
you grant the book you will not undertake
to load it down with useless provisions
which will make it practically worthless, as
is the case with some mileage now in use.
This mileage should be- accompanied by the
RIGHT TO check double the amount Of bag
gage now allowed. One hundred and fifty
pounds is not sufficient for commercial
nary passenger who has but one trunk, but
the travelling salesman Is now taxed more
than is right for the sample trunks neces-
sary in his business.
1t is estimated that commercial travellers
annually sell and bill 10000, 900 tons of
freight over lines of railway in the United
States.
AS commercial travellers we come to you,
asking that justice be done US not begging.
but demanding that you heed our request
for this book. As business men who are
constantly contributing to your interests we
believe we are clearly entitled TO all we have
asked for and that you should. without un.
necessary delay or unreasonable restrictions,
issue the same.
We sincerely trust you will not allow II
again to pass without the adoption of some
plan which will relieve the needs of com
mercial tra in the way of the 5000
mile book. We have been patient and
awaited more favorable consideration al
your hands, but IL appears To US that you
are altogether too willing TO allow the ex
listing arrangement to continue. There is .
point where patience ceases TO be a virtue
aud something more radical Is demanded
Trusting that we shall this time be favored
with more consideration and that the boob
asked for will be granted within a reason
able length Of time, | beg TO remain respect
fully yours. f. b. RUSSELL.
Chairman Elk. Com. of Commercial Travel
ers of The United States.
Gone Alter Cedar.