Omaha daily bee., 1898-10-02
JUBILEE RATES ANNOUNCED
Omaha Lines Give Out the Passenger Tariff
for the Week.
NOT so LOW AS HAD BEEN LOOKED FOR
Promise of Record Breaking Rates
Not FULFILLED and Some Criticism
is Engendered-What IA Rail-
road Man Thinks.

A meeting of the passenger representatives
of the lines west Of here held meeting
yesterday and decided upon reduced rates
TO Omaha during Peace Jubilee week, Oc-
tober 1915. 1t was resolved that lines
would act independently of the Western
Passenger association and d. B. Caldwell,
who is employed by that organization as
chairman. was SO notified.
The rate that will be made from all points
within $50 miles of Omaha is one fare for
the round trip, with a minimum rate OF 81.
Beyond the radius Of $50 miles rate of
cent a mile will apply, with minimum
rate from such territory fixed at $3.50.
Tickets will be sold at these rates on Oc-
tober 10, H. IL and 13, and October II will
be the latest date for the return trip.
That these rates are a signal disappoint-
ment to those interested in the success Of
the Peace Jubilee is most apparent. From
the intimations given out from time to time
by passenger men here 1t was believed that
the Peace Jubilee rates would be the lowest
ever made to Omaha, as the occasion Is
TO be undoubtedly the greatest. Two weeks
ago the passenger men said that 1t would
be unwise to announce the jubilee rates
as they would be so low that travel in the
meantime will be held back. It's hard to
see why anyone should hold back to travel
on the rates announced. as they are about
the same as are granted the most ordinary
conventions that come along.
This opinion IS entertained of the Peacs
Jubilee rates not only by outsiders, but
by well posted railroad men who are not
so close to the general passenger depart
ments but that they can talk. Said one OF
them to Bee reporter: 81 understand the
Jubilee rates will be one fare from points
within $50 miles and l cent mile from
points beyond, these rates to apply both
east and west OF the Missouri river. The
rates are high in comparison with the at
traction; there can be no doubt about that.
Lower rates have been made to Omaha for
the Nebraska State fair l do not know
whether there is any chance of having the
rates lowered or not, but certainly they
ought to be.
Some singular Excuses offered.
Its amusing to anyone but passenger
man to hear the explanations the general
passenger agents give for keeping the rates
up. / heard couple of them say that II
lower rates were made their lines could not
supply sufficient passenger equipment. There
never was line that could not get hold
of all the cars II needed il 1t knew sufh-
clently ahead OF time OF the travel expected.
THE real reason for the rates is that
the general passenger agents want to go be-
fore their general managers and presidents
with statements showing that they have
acted as wise conservers of revenue. They
make money on the trafie they do handle
and get patted on the back for their shrewd-
ness, but they lose lots of traffic that would
yield good earnings.
THE rates for Ak-Sar-Ben week and for
Jubilee week are reasonable enough from re-
mote points, but they are altogether too high
from nearby points. One fare for the round
trip from points within $50 miles for q
peace jubilee with President Mckinley and
his cabinet here is not a fair rate at all