New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1895-04-02
CLERGY AND THE RAILROADS
LETTER OF PRESIDENT ROBERTS, OF
THE PENNSYLVANIA SYSTEM

THE HALF-FARE RATE To BE CONTINCED-POS-
sGBLE ACTION OF THE NETWORK CENTRAL
The question of clergy rates upon the Pennsy!-
vania Railroad has been irally settled. When the
question Of withdrawing the haf-rate courtesy eX-
tended 10 the clergy was under discussoh' the
PENNSYLVANIA Railroad refused to abolish the rate
but instead issued Discretionary card. which eX-
pre,l on March 81. The officials Of this line have
just issued circular to al clergymen saying that
these cards will be renewed and the clergy rate con-
tinued
Assistant Passenger Agent Lord OF the Pennsyl-
vania lines. said yesterday: 1--WE never had any
idea of withdrawing the rate The trouble origi-
mated with another road and the ministers natu-
rally demanded an explanation. We decided TO wait
for the outcome of the matter and our circular
voices our decision President Roberts has addressed
letter to the committee appointed at the New
York Methodist Preachers meeting. This letter ex-
plains c)nclse.y ;he views he holds on the subject
The letter is as follows
beg to acknowledge the receipt of your letter
calling my attention as president of the Pennsyi-
vania Railroad Company, to the matter OF issuing
ton | had that there had been such thing a. an
implication cast upon the ministry in reference 10
the issue of these permits There are. OF course.
many applications made tnat are little strained.
but II had any knowledge OF any number o; such
applications would warrant the expressions you
complain Of, It has passed my mind, ana ! assure
you | have individually no such feeling. The mat
ter ~ds made the subject OF discussion at
meeting Of the Trunk Line Association in New
York. and efforts were made TO Suard against any
misuse not much by ministers, As by railroads
themA Ives in issuing them when they knew there
40 proper ground for Going so, for the purpose
Of controlling traffic agalnst their competitors me
matt refer red TO n committee Tor the pur-
pose Of establishing more stringent rules 10 pre-
vent action by the various railroad companies in
issuing such tickets who're they were evidently
ISSUED for the purpose indicated. SO far as can
learn, there q desire to abolish the system. but
only 10 throw about Il such safeguards "a are nee
c,-iry throw around any system which permits
the issue OF tickets for less than rIUrOdi rates. 1
think I safely say for all railroads through
ont the country. certainly for our own, tnit we
fully appreciate the great advantages mat come 10
our company. both directly and indirectly, ny the
influence OF Christian work in al the departments
among our employees.
There report Yesterday that the New-fork
Central Ralroa! had reconsidered it, decision and
recalled the order Of January l, abosh!ng ;he
clergy ticket George II. Daniels, the general pas
s@uger agent of the NeWYOrh Central, said that ne
had heard nothing about II. Mr.. Depew Is IN chi
caro. but he has recently said that ne would favor
restoration ~ the haif-rate TO minister's. n. Wal
ter Webb SAID that he knew % no decision to re-
store the rate. although the matter had been dis
ctssrl. and there seems 20 be an opinion that the
NnW-York Central Will eventually 90 BACK 20 the
clergy ticket