The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1897-10-16
OBJECTIONS to the Mileage Book

To the Editor Of the indianapolis Journal:
There appears nearly every morning in
tie daily papers, especially in the railroad
items, lengthy accounts of the growing
popularity Of the new mileage book, its al
most universal adoption by commercial men
and it's hearty support by the jobbers.
These articles framed by passenger
agents or reporters who listen to the talk
of these men, and are intended to further
their plans as against the commercial trav-
elers. In looking over the papers L rarely
find one who comes to the defense of the
travellers, and beg a short space to explain
to the passenger agents our grievances.
First-We claim the ticket is not accept
able to our employers, for II there are &c.,
900 travelling men in the country and they
are obliged to use the ticket, then the rail-
road companies have 81, 900 of our en-
ployers' money for their use and profit, for
which the railroad companies do not in any
way propose to give value received. A tailor
has just as much right to charge $50 for a
suit of clothes and promise that when the
old, frayed, worn out garments are re-
turned he will, If he sees fit, give back to
the purchaser So
Second-The inconvenience and annoy
ances attending the use of the mileage book
are innumerable. For instance the traveller
arrives at a depot thirty minutes before the
departure of a train. This may be in a
small town where there are several custom
ers and the drummer wishes to see all Of
them between trains, though it is almost
impossible. There are ten travelling men,
will say. The agent requires not less than
two minutes to tear out coupons, issue mile
age certificates, etc, and with the ten out
going passengers he will consume twenty
minutes. He (the AGENT has checked no
baggage. He is also express messenger, de-
livers the mail for the town, is freight
agent, telegraph operator, etc. Many other
people are waiting for tickets and to have
baggage checked, and, as a result, trains
are delayed and people are angry. Travelling
men have to pay cash fares because of
these delays. Commercial men do not ask,
and never expect to get such liberal treat
ment from railroads as they extend to the
atrical companies, excursion parties, ETC.,
yet they constantly travel over the lines of
the country, paying regular passenger fare,
excess baggage (and to the last pound),
distributing long strings of freight in their
wake and always wishing that the railroad
companies may be prosperous ana dividend
paying.
The imputation that travelling men mis-
used the former mileage book may be true
in some instances, but the large majority
of them-just as railroad men are-are hon
est The trouble with the former mileage
book was that the railroads were so anxious
for business that they placed them in the
hands Of scalpers at cut rates TO draw DuSl-
ness to their lines. 1t would be easy enough
for the railroad companies to place mile
age book on sale that would be acceptable
to all parties were it not that the CONNER
cial traveller has always been disseminated
against by them and blamed for the abuse
of the books. For eighteen years ! have
travelled up and down the railroads Of this
State paid thousands of dollars for mile
age and shipped many more thousands or
dollars worth of freight over their lines.
If, on my next trip, | was short OF money
or mileage, within ten miles of this city,
/ would have to walk the ties to get home.
One point in instance: A young man of this
city this summer went on fishing excur-
sion to Michigan; he secured very low
rate fare to begin on then shipped baggage,
traps, fishing tackel, etc, TO the amount
of $3.50 free of charge Had he been any
benefit to the railroad companiesE
Again, the reporters are very obhging in
seeking the railroad officials, getting their
opinions of the mileage book and publishing
them. When one hundred intelligent com
mercial travellers assemble to express their
views on the same subject no reporter is
present, except one, who came IN so late
that he only got the resolutions passed in
the meeting and heard none of the opinions
expressed The present mileage book is a
nuisance to travellers and should be con-
demned by all manufacturers and JobberS.
Knightstown, Ind, Oct. a. REX.
Personal, Local and General Notes.
The Big Four handled on its system, on
Thursday, 5,7S7 loaded cars.
The earnings of the Indiana Decatur &
Western, for September increased nearly
$4,000 over September 1896.
The Toledo. st. Louis & Kansas City yes
terday restored east-bound freight rates
and agrees TO maintain them.
The Big Four is remodeing its passenger
station at Delaware, o.. adding to its gen
eral appearance and conveniences
The Cincinnati Hamilton Dayton is
so pressed with business that none of its
cars are allowed TO go off the road.
w. b. Sterling, general solicitor for the
Fremont Elkhorn q Missouri Valley' died
at Omaha yesterday from typhoid fever.
A large tonnage Of cotton is accommodating
at Cairo and St Louis account of the
roads being short of cars to move 1t north
ward
Stock of the Little Miami division of the
Pennsylvania lines is now selling al SlS3 per
share, the highest figure in the history Of
the line.
The Santa Fe will resume it's fast trans
continental line service on Wednesday. -Four
new trains entire are TO be placed in the
service.
The interchange of traffic between the
Egie and the Wabash, at Huntington. Ind