The morning call. [volume] (San Francisco [Calif.]) 1878-1895, 1894-03-01
NO SECOND=CLASS.
Travel That Way Costs
Too Much.
EFFECT OF THE RATE WAR.
Pullman Cars Cheaper Than
Tourist Coaches.
CHEAP FARES AFTER TO-DAY.
The Southern Pacific People Declare
the Cutting Will BENEFIT
Them and California.
CHEAP FARES AFTER TO-DAY.

road system and tile Southern Pacific de-
veloped nothing Of importance yesterday
as fiat had already gone forth. One Ell
feet OF the sweeping reduction, however,
is practical suspension of sales of tickets
to Missouri River points and Eastern term
mi. which, according to the judgment Of
railroad men, indicates that persons pre-
pairing for journey across the continent
are waiting until fares will be about half
price. The purchase OF tickets in Eastern
and Missouri River cities has also fallen
of. showing that people back there know
good thing when they see it.
To-day man may travel from Los An
geles to the Missouri River in a Pullman
ear for $40, and make the return trip for
S35 so over the Atchison, Topeka and
Santa Fe railway lines. Saturday next
the Southern Pacific Company will enter
the contest with rates equally low. not
only from Southern California. but from
this city and all points in Central and
Northern California. But the Santa Fe
people do not propose TO be outdone by
their opponents, ana they VIII follow up
the Southern Pacific Sunday morning with
the same reductions from all stations in
California. Then the rate war will be on
in earnest.
An official of the Santa Fe route is cred
tied with saying that II the Southern Pa
citic met their cut his people would go a
step farther with a further reduction. On
this point discreet silence was observed
yesterday. You don't expect really that
we are going to give away our hand at this
stage of the game" was the peculiar reply
TO question REGARDING a continuance OF
the warfare.
First Of all. you must start out with this
nfi0O ~ aoi6 NJ A Riasall nf tho +
lantic and Pacific Company, who spoke for
the Santa Fe. ''the Southern Pacific and
Santa Fe are competitors. So whatever
we do is more or less 10 opposition to the
local company and it is closely watched by
them, and vice versa. We want things
that they don't like themselves or don't
want US TO have, and vice versa. You see
our interests are different, and cOnse-
quently there is certain TO be friction some
where every now and then. We are the
only competitors across the country into
California, the others are merely side
shows. But we come into the State and
are therefore in competition.
I'VE ought TO have line right through
to San Francisco, and II railroad business
was better with us something might be
accomplished in that line.
1--WE will have a rate of $40 to Kansas
City and $50 30 return Sunday morning
and the reduced rates from Los Angeles
Southern Pacific will have them from here
and we will follow on Sunday. The new
rates are way below second-class fares.
Now, what is the use In discussing
causes of fights among railroad companies?
The people don't care a pin about that.
All they are interested in is the result, for
so long as rates are cut down they are sat-
isfied though we cut each others throats."
Have you any Idea that rates will go
lower still 2" was asked.
II don't care TO answer that" replied
MIR. Bissell. 1T would give our business
away, aud how can | tell what may be
done pr
The Southern Pacific officials don't seem
to worry much over the extraordinary cut
Rather are they disposed TO feel pleased.
There are many reasons why the reduction
of cross-continental rates may bring grist
to the Southern Pacific mill. Eastern
people VIII be tempted by abnormaliy low
fares to visit California and inciden tally
the Midwinter Fair. IL is to be expected
as a matter of course they will travel
through the State. and in doing so they
must pay tribute 10 the Southern Pacific
Company. Then again others may settle
in the interior, and that means a new
ton. At least j. c. Stubs, third vice.
president of the company, said so much
yesterday.
''There is practically no change in the
situation" he remarked, "and as for other
business this rate war is absorbing all
our attention at present. 1t is good for US
and good for California. ! hope it will
bring $4,000 people here. March is tie
worst month Of the year back East, and
many of the people will like to have a
change of climate. They will come here,
and then the cutting Will do us more good
than otherwise"
The company will be benefited even
tnollU ~ QnOUaata1
mo; directly. These people will travel
through the State and spend money
that's what we want"
''How will the rate war affect second.
class travel?"
2 The question brought smile over Mr..
Stabbs' face before he answered.
1T practically takes the place of second
class business. / consider it doubtful if
they will run second-class cars while the
cut exists. Think of it-Pullman cars
cheaper than tourist sleepers. The only
consideration is the price of sleepers
across the country, but that is very little.
Besides, travellers may occupy Pullman
car all day and take tourist sleeper at
night. A bed in one Is just as comforta BILE
as in another.
IL see the other company said it would
cut II we met its figures. Well, we
have met than. l can't foresee any
change, however 1t is quite as difficult
for me To tell what may take place as it
was last Saturday to prophesy this cut
would ever have gone into effect"
The reduced rate from New York to
San Francisco is $50 80. at the same time
a second-class or tourist ticket Is S66. A
berth in a Pullman sleeper costs $50 so ;
in tourist car S., However. the Pullman
day coach may be used on a cut-rate
ticket, and the traveller may have his bed
in tourist car attached to the train. BY
this he would save S14 80 and travel
across America in comfort for $50 80.
A traveller from Kansas City can
come TO the Midwinter Fair on n railroad
ticket costing S35 30 and S12 for berth
return.
Ali of the lines are in the war, and in
tending travellers are in IL. too.