The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1897-06-10
Lively Rate Wars Probable.


The decentralization of passenger rates be-
tween Chicago and St Paul shows signs of
increasing, and if stop is not put to it in
a short time there will be a regular rate
war between the roads. The latest cause
of the bill is the claim by some of the roads
that several of their competitors are paying
excessive commissions. The regular rate of
commissions on tickets between Minneapo-
lis and st. Paul and Chicago is rs cents but
instances are reported where the commits
sions have been as high as $3.50 Some time
ago all the roads in Western territory
agreed to pay no more large commissions,
and to this agreement the roads outside of
the associations We're members, as wen as
those which had signed the agreement of
the Western Passenger Association. Now,
however, it is claimed that some of the
roads between Chicago and st. Paul have
ignored the agreement, and there is much
bad feeling over the situation.
Some of the most conservative lines in the
West have determined that the demoraliz-
ing tactics of the small lines must cease or
a war in passenger rates will be the result.
A short time after the PRONUNCIATION of the
Supreme Courts decision regarding the for
nation of associations by the roads the
smaller lines, which had the most to gain
by demoralizing tactics, began to take ad-
vantage of the fears of their large Compel
itorS, and cut rateS were numerous. Now
the large Ines nave declared IN the most
unmlstakable manner that they will stand
this condition no longer Either the small
lines must cease the cutting of rates
or the large lines will in short
time give them all the fight they
desire. If the cut rates are made
for, any. excursion business, the large lines
Will make lower rates than the original cut
rate, and keep it in effect until all of the
business has been carried. If the rate is
made N the regular passenger tariff the
their own rates so low that the instigator
of the trouble will be compelled TO Carry the
business at an actual loss. This decision
has been reached by the large Western lines
after much deliberation, and only after all
peaceable methods Of inducing some of the
little roads to keep up rates have failed.
Freight Commissioners Organize.
The Freight Commissioners Association
of the United States was organized at Gin
cinnati yesterday with the following char
ter members: e. p. Wilson, Cincinnati; j. S.
Davant, Memphis; d. G. Purse, Savannah;
Ga; L. p. Trickett, Kansas City; E. S.
Goodman, Richmond, Va; l. C. Igehardt,
Chicago; f. w. Mexinee, ST. Joseph, Mo-;
N. b. Kelly, Philadelphia; r. H. Thomp-
son, Pittsburg; A. j. Vanlandingham, st.
Louis The following was adopted:
Resolved, That for the purpose of con-
ference and discussion on matters of mutual
interest it is the sense of this meeting
that permanent organization be formed.
to be known as the Freight Commissioners
Association of the United States, and that
committee of three be appointed to pre-
pare basis for such permanent organiza-
ton TO be submitted to the next meeting in
Washington city in December, 1897 upon
the call of the chairman of the associa-
ton
The following officers were elected: Chair
man, ID. O.. Purse, Savannah; secretary, N.
b. Kelly, Philadelphia; treasurer +. p.
Wilson, Cincinnati; committee on plan of
organization n. Il. Kelly, j. S. DaVant A
j. Vanlandingham. The secretary is to fur
nish all members with lists of the names
L n hn of fFsstfff I
merce and the members are to send such
names to the secretary from their respec-
tive localities. The pooling bill. the Sher-
man anti-scalpng bill and other measures
before Congress were discussed, but no ac-
ton was taken in the line of Endorsement
Officers for the ensuing year were elected
as follows: a. u. Smith, of the West Shore,
president; G. Z. Fish. of the Erie, vice
president; NJ. Townsend, of the Pennsyl-
Vania road secretary, and G. II. Newton
of the Wabash. treasurer. This closed the
business sessions of the convention.