The San Francisco call. [volume] (San Francisco [Calif.]) 1895-1913, 1897-05-05
Attention of the Railroad
Commission Called to
the Matter.
Letter Of Complaint Sent by a
Prominent Citizen of
Fresno.
Manager Fillmore States That Proper
Coaches Will Be Provided in
Few Days.

When the Valley road put in its pas
senger rates to points in the San Joaquin
Valley the Southern Pacific in self pro-
lection established second-class rate to
all points as far south as fresno on its
San Joaquin Valley lines. These rates
were fixed so as to meet those of the COM
peting line.
1t also put on q special train to run
between this City and Fresno, and for the
convenience of second-class passengers a
second-class coach was attached to this
train. The second class rates, however,
applied to all trains running through
Atlantic expresses, known as No. II and
No. 10 respectively when eastbound and
No. 18 and No. 20 when westbound. But
the accommodations on the through
trains are inferior to those on the Fresno
local, which Is characterized as No. 80 and
No. 40. This was made clear to agents
when they were notified to sell second
class tickets on such trains. Their in.
structions were as follows:
To avoid any Misunderstanding as to the
accommo dations to be furnished on these
trains would say that on Nos II and 10 pas.
sengers will be allowed to occupy the smoker
and on No. SO local second-class coach.
Those on IL and 10 desiring to go into the
second-class sleeping-car can do SO on pay
ment OF the usual Pullman rates.
This rule compels all who buy second
class tickets to points between this City
and Fresno, including ladies, to travel in
the smoking-cars on trains II or 10, unless
they pay the Pullman-car charges. As q
result there has been much dissatisfaction
and comp plant on the part of the patrons
OF these trains and yesterday the m after
was called 20 the official attention of the
Railroad Commission in the following
communication from prominent citizen
of Fresno:
FRESNO, May 3.
Hon. IT. H. La Rue-DEAR SIR: Was there not
al order passed by the Railroad Commission
during the term OF Stonema an, providing that
where the railroads gave second-class services
they must provide car for second-class pas
sengers free from smoking Ii my memory
serves me right such is the case.
The Southern Pacific now assumes to give
second-class rates by all trains through this
valley to compete with the Valley road, and
they put all the second-cass passengers IN the
smoking-car.
When the order was made, believe I am
correct in saying that 1t was COM piled with at
once on the trains running from San Fran
cisco to Stockton, through Byron, where
lived. If we have such rights and are entitled
TO q car free from smoking, SO that ladies can
avail themselves of it, will you please see that
we are SO provided, and oblige, yours truly.
a@ G. W. 7. CARTER.
Secretary Newman was instructed to
call the Southern Pacific's alton tion 20
the matter by sending copy of the letter
to the company.
Manager J. A. Fillmore, when the sub
ject was mentioned to him by CALL re-
porter, stated that the matter mad been
under consideration by the company and
that records had been kept of the mum Der
of second-class passengers who travel on
trains II and 49, He added that it had
been virtually decided to put second
class coach on 10 and 20, that is the east
bound and westbound Atlantic express
respectively, in dav or two.