St. Paul daily globe., 1893-06-15
RATES CUT IN HALF.
The Great Northern Sets the
Passenger War in
Motion
By Reducing the Fare From
st. Paul to the Coast
and Between.
Fare From Seattle, First
Class, Knocked From $50
Down, to $35.
Other Roads Invited to Con-
fer If There's Any
thing in 1t.

The expected has happened in the
threatened war in passenger rates be-
tween st. Paul and the Pacific coast.
The Great Northern railroad last night
took the bit in its teeth and promulgated
a rate sheet for passenger service that
will take competing lines by surprise.
When the several conferences on the
subject adjourned without action or
agreement. it was thought possible the
Great Northern would hold off its hand
at least until another effort at confer
ence was had. Its failure to do so is ex-
planned in the circular issued last night.
The cut in the passenger rates Is very
radical. In first class the cut Is an
average of Al per cent and In second
class nearly SO. The following shows
the new rates quoted and the card as at
present:
Pacific Coast Points-Old. first class,
$50; new. S35; second class, old, S35;
new. s25.
Spokane-Old. first class. $3.50: new,
$50; second class. old. $33; new, $40.
Helena and But te-Old, first class,
$40; new, S25; second class old, S25;
new. SIS.
The action of the Great Northern, as
we'll as the inducing causes, will be
found in the following circular, promul-
gated last night:
On the 5th inst. the lines competing
for North Pacific coast passenger traffic
were notified Of our dissatisfaction with
the conditions under which such traffic
was being handled. for the reason that
from rs to so per cent of the business.
in both directions, was being carried
upon a secOnd-claSS basis, indicating
that large percentage OF this second
class business was only so in name and
the direct result of unnatural condi-
tlons.s
A conference was requested. Several
interested parties failed to attend. This
was also the result of further confer
ence called for later day-in both in
stances the only line represented being
the Northern Pacific railroad. On the
18th inst, our representative met some
of the interested parties. This confer
ence was not productive of any salts
factory result.
IL is not to be expected, therefore.
that inauguratipg our through service
we shall provide higher basis of rates
for first-class travel than has prevailed
by the lines of its competitors. and we.
uHiOuUCC lldl Jul DdSlo VI
first class rates will be the rate at which
travel is carried in tourist cars. it fur
ther believes that for the essentially
secOnd-class travel a rate should be
made. west-bound. contemplating rea-
-sonable accommodations therefor.
Therefore, effective the 18th inst, the
following rates will be made:
From our Eastern Terminals to
First Second
Class Class.
Northern Pacific coast points. s35 90 SIS 90
Spokane. Wash. .............. 30 90 20 %
Helena and Butte .....,...... - % Is 90
The first class rates named above will
apply in both directions; the second
class rates west-bound only. Tickets
sold at these rates will be limited to
continuous passage.
1t should be understood that we are
willing to meet our competitors with
the view of adjusting the conditions
which bring about these results, at any
time and place that may suit their con-
venience.
The equipment on our trains will be
new, consisting of first and second
class coaches. tree colOnist cars, buffet
library and parlor car, dining cars and
firSt-claSS SleeDerS.