The Houston daily post. [volume] (Houston, Tex.) 1886-1903, 1897-01-26

|
Wharf railway a terminal line.
| This closed the taking Of testimony on
the question of jurisdiction, and the conf
| mission adjourned until Wednesday morn
ing, when argument will be heard.
Two Cent Passenger Fares.
| Railway Review.
| 1t may perhaps be recalled that in our
issue of October "a. 1896 reference was
made to the possibility of legislative ac-
| ton during the present winter in regard
to a 2-cent passenger rate upon the roads
| throughout the West and the necessity FOR
some preparation on the part Of the rods
to meet the question when it arose. II
would appear that this condition about
to be realized. Because of the rtfusal cf
the Western roads to unite in a FIVE thou
sand mile interchangeable ticket. the TRAY
elers' Protective association is urging that
| such legislation be enacted in the several
States How much influence they possess
and what is to be the attitude OF the vari-
Gus legislatures On this subject rehIHins 10
be seen but II is nevertheless true that
the situation prophesied in the article
above referred to has material I'D.
As a retaliatory measure the movement
ought to fail, because OF its character.
| Each of these questions should be consid-
|
the Eve thousand mile interchangeable
ticket is capable of being made to serve u
convenient and profitable end. CONVENIENT
because OF the advantages secured there
by 10 commercial travellers and their EN-
plovers as we'll. Commerce properly de-
Ilands the utmost possible facility consist
emi with good business principles, and in
this connection such a ticket would serve
a useful purpose And profitable because
of the safeguards which could be thrown
around such tickets; combining their use
to legitimate channels 1t is difficult,
therefore to understand upon what proper
ground the non issue OF these tickets can
be defended
With regard 10 the 2-cent rate the ques-
tion is altogether different. II is possible
that if a 2-cent rate, when established,
could be maintainod, proIt to the railroads
would result but it is absolutely certain
that this would not be the case. Such a
course involves the abolition of free trans
portation, cheap excursions. reduced rates
for gatherings of all kinds. and many oker
concessions which are now made to meet
a seeming necessity. For this state OF
affairs neither the railroads nor the pub
lie are ready. Both CLASSES reed consid-
cradle education before they viii think II
possible or profitable TO occupy a osition
necessary TO maintain 2-cent rate. Leg
islators politicians. large shippers and all
others must h. dispcssessed of the idea
that because of position or influence they
arc entitled 10 free or cheaper trauanorta
tion: ana railroad managers need TO be
, urivcreailv convinced that equal service
at equal rates is a condition precedent &c
. proper railway operation.
II may not be out of place In THIS cen
noction to correct idea Which appears
, to have some influence with those who are
; advocating the . cent rate. Because of tn,
MANY economies that have been effected If
railway operation during the past fivf
years a notion prevails that passeng II
rates might he proporionately reduced
! without loss II should he understood
that these economies apply only in small
l measure to passenger service. and that thu
increased expenditure incident to this
r branch Of traffic has more than kept pace
with such economies. The travelling public
! are constantly demanding better and there
4 fore more costly service. and 1t Is safe
@ to saw that If the rates of ten years ago
> could be maintained. even that would no
0 save to offset the additional outlay re-
+ oliired to supply the present facilities
+ High speeds easy riding and elegantly
$ appointed sleeping. dining and day GERS
= are expensive luXures, but the pubic vii
e he satisfied with nothing less; tn. rcfore thu
- argument that because Of increased ocono
x mics lower rates of fare are Justified /,
Il not sound As already suggested these
. economies relate chiefly 10 freight traffic
/ and on this branch of service rates have
already heeu reduced for in advance of any
hrrcfr derived terefron,
i, II is altogether possible that the time
. will come when the establishment of a uni
versal 2-cent per mile rate in the West
ern country would be both possible ant
y iustihahle but at the present time con
= ditions are not favorable, 1t may be Tia
J in accordance with precedents already es
! tablished. it viii cost some trouble and
; expense 10 convince legislators Of this fact
= hut, however that NAV re. commercial
u travellers are not warranted in using the
e-cent rate as a club to compel the ISSUE
4 Of an interchangeable mileage ticket. Tha
1 they are doing this is apparent on it's face
: They now have a 2-ccnt rate and the onl,
L effect Of such legislation upon them
= would be to take them out of preferred
n class and put them upon common basis
4 with the rest OF mankind No one ac-
ouainted with the profession but knows
: that such procedure would be highly OBJ
: iectioueble to these gentlemen. and thai
A as already stated they are using the 2-oon
/, | mileage rate system as a means OF com
i pelling the road to supply them with wha
2 they want.
2. Robbcr-Proof Express Cars.
9 The handling of money is getting to b
u more and more traffic which calls lol
10 the greatest rrecanticn. Nobody realize
! This fact so vividly as the express compsn'
!; i,s. There are so many robbers, ana the!