Abilene weekly reflector., 1897-04-22
RAILROAD RATES.
Many Roads Want Reduction to
Stimulate Traffic.
LIEUT.. PEARY and The NORTH POLE
His Transference to California Complicat-
Ing Arrangements for Another Expe-
: dltion-Our Credit system-Buy-
Ing Horses for Great Britain.

CHICAGO, April 16.-Some Of the
western railroads are openly advocat-
ing q reduction in passenger rates to
what they term an emergency basis"
The reason they give for their wish to
cut the rates is that the passenger
business is dead, and that some
measures are needed to increase the
volume Of traffic. The opponents OF
lower fares say that if rates are re-
duced there may be some trouble, in
view Of the supreme court decision, in
getting the rates back to their old
basis again without taking some ac-.
tion that would be illegal. They
think, also, that it would be most
unadvisable at the present time to
reduce any rates, for the reason that it
will give the various Legislatures Of
the western states an idea that the
roads can make money with the rates
at lower point than they now are,
and that hostile legislation will ensue.
The advocates of lower rates have no
argument to offer save that in their
opinion the cheap fares will stir up
traffic, and that if it once begins to
move it will keep moving, even after
the rates have been restored to their
old level. There is no chance Of con-
certed reduction, but as long as there
is strong element which favors the
reduction of the rates general feel
ing Of insecurity will prevail among
the roads.
LIEUT.. PEARY AND THE NORTH POLE.
WASHINGTON, April 16.-The navy
department is in ferment over an or
der to Lieut.. Peary, the Arctic ex-
plorer, to leave the New York navy
yard and take up his station at Mare
Island, Cal. Just at this moment the
officers friends, and persons taking an
active interest in polar expeditions,
are engaged in raising a fund in
New York to defray the expense
Of another expedition to be con-
Quoted by Lieut.. Peary into the
far north. 1t is asserted that
the detachment of the officer from
New York now will involve the enter
prise in failure. The chief of the bu-
reau Of yards and docks is said to hold
that the New York navy yard, which
now employs four civil engineers, can
get along with three; wherefore, it is
proposed to send Lieut.. Peary to Mare
Island. On the other side are the sci
entists, urging Secretary Long to al
low the officer to remain in New York
for time, and then 90 on leave of
absence while conducting the polar ex-
pedition.
OUR CREDIT SYSTEM.
CINc1NNNTI, April 18.-Ernest Troy,
Of this city, chairman of the committee
on mercantile agencies of the National
Association Of Credit Men, which holds
its annual convention at Kansas City
June 8, has reports from the agencies
of Dun and Bradstreet that they will
have personal representatives at the
convention at Kansas City to cooper.
ate in formulating more perfect sys-
TEN for the protection Of credits
throughout the country.
HORSES FOR GREAT BRITAIN.
MARION, Ind, April 16-A car load
Of horses from Grant county has been
purchased for the British artillery
service. Noah Wilhelm has been Sc
curing horses for AL Hiatt, of Hartford
City, who has contract with the
British government to furnish 5000
horses. The order says that the horses
are To be shipped as soon AS pOssible.