The Saint Paul globe. (St. Paul, Minn.) 1896-1905, 1897-04-21
SOME OF THEM MAY NOT JOIN THE
NEW PASSENGER ASSOCIA-
TION.
AGREEMENT IS IN DISPUTE
DEVELOPED AT THE MEETING
TO-DAY.
TWO PROVISIONS 1NoPPoRTUNE
Objection Is Raised Also on the
Point of LegaHty-An Anti
Scalper Victory.

CHICAGO, April 2O-A division of
sentiment is likely to be developed
at tomorrow's mass meeting of general
passenger agents of Western roads,
called to consider the agreement for
2 a new association. AS it stands, the
agreement has been Endorsed by the
great majority of Chicago and st.
Louis roads. Two articles in it, how
ever, seem to be of questionable legal
ity and to be brought forward at an
inopportune time. One of these makes
1t incumbent on the chairman to CO.
operate with the state and interstate
railroad commissions in securing the
maintenance of legal rates. The other
empowers him to declare a cessation
Of business relations with any outside
connecting road which persists in de-
moralizing rates after it has been duly
notified to maintain them. 1t is, how
i ever, altogether likely that the agree
ment will be adopted as it stands.
Fears were generally expressed to-
day that there are several of the
Western roads which will refuse to be-
come members Of the reOrganized
Western Passenger association. They
belong to what is known as the weak
group and 1t is intimated that their
declination is partly due to their not
wishing to tie their hands in the mat
ter of rates, or other devices by which
traffic may be attracted to their lines
The avowed reason for their reluctance
to become members is matter of ex-
pense. In times like this, when bust
ness is extremely light, some roads
find their monthly assessment for as
ISOLATION expenses quite a tax on their
s revenues. The refusal of a few lines
will not, however, prevent the strong
lines going into a compact on their
own account They will form an as
ISOLATION with or without their weak
brethren
Information received here today that
the senate of the New York legislature
had passed an anti-ScalperS bill by
vote of 81 to s, filled passenger men
with extreme qualification. They re-
garded the fact as an Illustration Of
the rapidly growing public sentiments
in favor of giving the roads all legitl-
mate protection in the conduct of their
business. Should the bill finally pass
and with similar bills already in eff
feet in Pennsylvania and Illinois it is
believed a stunning blow could be dealt
the tlcKet brokerage business, even
should congress fail to pass a similar
measure to apply on interstate traffic
At all events an energetic attempt
will be made to enforce the law in all
states in which it has been placed on
the statute book.
A set of new rules has been issued
by the St. Louis & San Francisco road
to govern the issue Of party rate
tickets. This road has fixed it's rate
for parties of ten or more at two
thirds of the regular one-way first
class tariff rate, and for children be-
tween the ages of five and twelve
years at One-half this party rate, pro-
vided there are enough in the entire
party to make up the amount of ten
adult party rate fares. Party rates
on the road will in future apply be-
tween all stations on the line and
stop-overs will be issued wherever de-
sired en- route. 1t has also been an
nounced that round trip party rate
tickets will be sold at double the one
way party rate.
1t is reported that the Wabash road
is about to abandon the use of the old
line between Peru and Montpelier, Ind
1t is said the Lake Shore is after the
road. Should it get it, it will operate
the road from Logansport to Butler
and make it a division point between
Cleveland and Chicago.