Kansas City daily journal., 1897-01-31
INTERCHANGEABLE MILEAGE.
Letter From u Travelling Man Favor
ing the 5000 Mile Ticket
Now Issued.

Apropos of the newspaper discussion of
the question of the 5000 mile interchange
able ticket which has recently been in
augurated by the lines of the Central Pas
senger committee, under the direction of
the commissioner of that committee, the
following letter to E. o. Mccormick, pas
senger traffic manager of the Big Four
route, from D. *. Clinkr secretary and
treasurer of the Northwestern Travelling
Mems Association, with headquarters at
Chicago. indicates that much, if not all,
of the so-called interviews with travelling
men have been inspired by railroad men
and others who prefer to see the 1000 mile
interchangeable ticket continued in the
careless manner which has been in vogue
Chicago, Jan. %. 1897.
'Mr. E. o. Mccormick, Passenger Traffic
Manager c., c., c. & st. L. Railway, Gin
cinnati, o.
My Dear Sir:-The many criticisms in
dulged in by the press and claimed to
emanate from commercial travellers ana
business men. in opposition to the inter-
changeable 5000 mile ticket now on sale.
and covering lines members of the Central
Passenger committee, are to be regretted.
A careful analysis of these criticisms war
rants the assumption they emanate from
railroad officials, some in the Central
Traffic committee territory, and others in
ad1olning railroad associations, with the
view of creating the opinion that the 5000
mile ticket is unpopular with the class
who have for years advocated its issuance;
class of men that are justified in the be-
lief that they are entitled to rates and
conveniences commensurate with their pat
ronage, and the interchangeable ticket of
denomination large enough, and restrict
ed in manner TO confine it to the use of
those in a position to avail themselves of
ii, believe the measure just and equitable
TO all parties in interest, and ii is safe to
say that the great majority of commercial
travellers and business firms will be found
cooperating with you, and many Others in
railroad circles equally prominent, in Sc
curing favorable action upon the 1900 mile
interchangeable ticket now in use. 1t is
evident these railroad officials endeavOring
to SOW seeds of diSsension with reference
to the interchangeable mileage are
actuated solely from a desire 10 retain and
pursue methods too long indulged in with
1000 mile tickets, and continue to use the
commercial traveller as the proverbial
stump around which to whip the devil.
'Of course. there are commercial trav
elers and business firms who may be selfish
enough to oppose the larger denomination
of interchangeable tickets, or, in fact, any
form of mileage tickets, but this class is a
small minority, and the great majority, and
of the best element, will be found favoring
interchangeable mileage, and of denom-
ination large enough to protect the local
rates of the issuing companies. Right
here, let me suggest however, the neCeS-
sity of disseminating the interchangeable
features of the smaller denomination nf
mileage tickets, and fortifying all mile
age tickets in every way consistent against
manipulation, on equal footing with the in
Interchangeable mileage ticket. There are
no doubt some Inconsistencies connected
with the new 5000 mile ticket but n little
indulgence in friendly expressions of opin-
ion between the railroad representatives
and those interested in the use of the tick
ct will undoubtedly bring about the neceS-
sary changes. Instead of indulging in crit
icisms of the new ticket, which might be
construed to mean reputation, every COM
mercial traveller and business firm inter-
ested should, upon the contrary, show their
gratitude and appreciation of the inter-
changeable ticket now in use. bend every
energy towards its Improvement and secure
sociations. Commercial interests have IA
Vored interchangeable mileage tickets for
years. and there is no good reason for
abandoning the scheme now, nor do 1 be-
lieve 1t will be abandoned, but, on the con-
trary, there will be renewed activity in its
favor.
Claim has been made to me by quite a
number of prominent travelling men that a
great many of the newspaper articles have
cmanated from the representatives of a
certain railroad company which has 1000
mile ticket il desires to keep on the mar
ket because Of the ready manner in which
ii can be used for rate cutting and manip-
ion, as expressed to me by the more prom
inent travelling men, we'll as railway
men, seems to be that the 5000 mile book,
properly restricted. together with the 900
mile book good only over the issuing line
is just what the public needs, and will
best serve the interests of the general
travelling public, as well as the railroad
companies.
"Appreciating your we'll known advocacy
of interchangeable mileage, l am. yours
truly, d. X. CLINk,
Secretary and Treasurer