Fort Worth gazette. [volume] (Fort Worth, Tex.) 1891-1898, 1895-12-10
PASSENGER RATE TROUBLES.


There are few new developments in
the troubles Of the Southwestern Pas
senger committee. II developed YES.
terday that the Kansas City. Memphis
ana birmingham has given agents no.
tlcc that 1t Will pay commissions on
all tickets sold during the month Of
December which Is contrary to the
general agreement.
This announcement coming at the
time when nnH.is In this section are
IN such complicated and threaten
Ing condition, Is a pretty good indlca-
tion that outside roads have already
come TO the conclusion that adjust
ment is hopeless.
The New Orleans States. of Sunday.
pays Its respects to tho Katy and the
general situation In the following Wig
orous English:
The Southwestern passenger nrents
are now In session in 81. Louis, trying
70 patch up their differences. with only
a slim chance of any permanent set
Element OF the difficulty being arrived
IT. The"Katy" and the Cotton Belt''
roads are said to be Offenders In the
Generalization OF passenger rates
from Texas points. and as al least one
u these roads Is credited with being
IN old time offender, 1t Is thought that
the riot act will be read 10 them in
good United States before the oonven-
tion adjourns.
The Katy" road is a well eaulpped
corporation running magnificent
service of trains through the territorv
mat II Is settled in. and It Is a mys-
terry to lots OF rallroaders why the
management VIII not be content with
their share OF legitimate business
rather than engage In q demoraiiza'
ton of rates that does no one any
good and only results in the aiaorcan-
izntlon OF business.
General Passenger Agent Morse ~
the southern Pacific road Is nj tbia
meeting In 81. Louis, and his well.
known ana OFTEN expressed antlpathy
to anything In the shape Of "cn,;,
rates makes it certain that Mt Ieas,
one passenger man will be present To
denounce this unbuslness-like wny az
catching business for particular
road. '"'
OF course competition Is the life of
trade. but there is the widest diner.
enee between legitimate EFFORT 10 ret
business and the wholesale cutting
down OF profits. whether II Is done nv
reduced fares, or In the payment Of
excessive commissions This latter
element Is of the two the most dan.
gerous, and the one TO be most strong.
" denounced, for II contains the oi-
portunity for subterfuge and the "do.
ing up ~ The ticket seller that is
honest enedgh to stick TO the agree.
ment that Is entered into between ire
aeads OF the several companies. In.
deed after all. the real offenders in
lhe cut-throat policy of rebates re'
duced rates or excessive commiasions
are the general passenger or general
freight agents. This Is true for tho
reason that there is not a man TO-DAY
occupying the position OF subortlinnts
% general passenger or freight agent
that would ventdre to 20 outside NJ
his specific instructions from hts ~
Ace without having the moral assn
ance. at least. that his chief wouid
support him In a departure from he
lines laid down for him, '"s
or course there are thousands a,a
one ways Of beating the devil ronnd
the stump" and the mysterious MI
road item that railroad auditors frs.
luently have TO notice called "s,,h-
,idlary expenses" Is responsible M,
much OF the Decentralization that soma.
times comes about in both l,elyht ami