The Wheeling daily intelligencer. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1865-1903, 1897-09-25
THE RAILROADS,


Local ticket agents say that there has
been a marked increase in the sale of
tickets to local points since the inter-
changeable mileage book has come into
use. This is evidence that the brokers
are not doing the heavy business that
they did when the old mileage book waN
in use, II is also the best proof possible
that the new book cannot be handled by
the brokers, The exchange tlcket fea-
ture, railroad officials claim, is the safe
guard that has been placed around the
new book and that the brokers cannot
touch 1t for that reason, The new book
Is meeting with greater favor each day
and the commercial travelers,who made
the most serious objection to the new
book, are beginning 10 learn that It is
not such bad thing after all
General Passenger Agent Il, A. Ford,
OF the Pennsylvania lines, has issued a
lengthy letter regarding the new book
Mr. Ford defends the book and asks
that the commercial travellers use lit
tie patience with the lines interested
and In the end there will be a book
that will no doubt, please everybody.
Speaking of the rebate feature of the
book, he says;
"fhe rebate plan Is adopted TO pre-
vent the transfer of and speculation in
the ticket. The forms OF mileage tick
cts heretofore issued and sold at fiat
rate OF two cents per mile, have been
transferred and specialized in without
let or hIndrance. and therefore, have
been carried into every nook and cor
ner OF the territory, supplanting and dis
counting the local and legal fares of
three cents per mile. Great loss OF rev.
enue has come TO the Pennsylvania
and other railway lines on account of
doing their local business at the mileage
ticket rate of two cents per mile. The
frequent reductions made on various
accounts, and on account OF the 1000
mile ticket heretofore used, have
brought the average yearly passenger
earnings Of the Pennsylvania lines west
of Pittsburgh down to 2,O7 cents per
mile The average cost OF passenger
transportation on the same system for
the years 1895 and 1896 was also 2.O7
cents per mlle--showing no profit what
ever In the handling OF passenger traf-
flc. The average net passenger earn
HES nave htNItaoGu Nun s@V VI q NN'AN
per mile In 1888, to i of a cent per mile
In 1884 and to nothing whatever at the
end Of the year 1896. Doubtless other
railway companies have suffered TO the
same or greater extent.
ITO obtain a higher rate per mile
than two cents from the transient and
infrequent patron. and to secure por-
ton of the local fares authorized by law
with view to reaching a possible proht
In the transportation OF passengers and
to assure some return to the stockhold-
err for his investment. 1t becomes neces-
sary to restrict the forms of transpor-
tation which are issued at less than ie-
gal fares in a manner which VIII stop
speculation In them, prevent their trans
fer and insure their use by original pur-
chasers who are willing to make the
larger outlay on account OF the induce
ments offeffred. Hence the new rebate
form of mileage ticket"
Speaking of the exchange feature, he
defends II as follows:
1.-THE object Of the exchange ticket
feature is to insure a proper collection
and return OF all coupons OF mileage
tickets and to relieve the conductor,
whose multifarious duties are already
burdensome, OF service which should
be performed by the agent, No expert
enced traveller will need any explana-
ton of this comprehensive averment.
The exchange ticket brings protection
to which the railway companies are en-
titled; and iaasmuch as they voluntar-
lily offer mileage tickets at reduced
fares, why should they not surround
their issue with restrictive conditions
which cannot In any manner whatever
impair the rights Of the passenger?
They only ask that their patrons come
to their stations a few minutes earlier
than the usual time, In order that the
agent may have the opportunity to lit
their mileage coupons and Issue In eX-
change therefore the proper ticket Is
It any more than right and reasonable
to solicit the cheerful acqulescence Of
passengers in che plan, when 1t brings
to them the low fare which they seek,
and results in the issue OF ticket upon
which there can be no question ms to
the checking OF baggage and puts them
on the train with n ticket concerning
which there can be no controversy with
the CONDUCTOR"
Regarding the financial sum involved
he says:
ut has been suggested that the rebate
plan has been adopted for the purpose
Of obtaining the use Of the travellers
money. There Is nothing in that. The
honest and constant traveller Will per.
sonally ride out many tickets In year,
and the rebate money viii be so quickly
refunded that he will have no time to
contemplate the establishment Of a
Savings fund with the commissioner