The semi-weekly messenger. [volume] (Wilmington, N.C.) 1897-1908, 1898-04-29
T. II
Ihe Wilmington Tariff Association
Petitions the Railroad Commission
to Reduce the Rate for Book Tickets.

The following petition has been filed
with the North Carolina railroad commits
sion:
l. The Wilmington Tariff Association.
of Wilmington, N. c., petition the board
of railroad commissioners of North Car
olina to require the Atlantic Coast Line
system and all their branches in North
Carolina, the Southern railway system
and all their bhanches in North Carolina.
the Seaboard Air Line system and ali
their branches in North Carolina. the
Cape Fear and Yadkin Valley and all
their branches in North Carolina and the
Atlantic and North Carolina railroad to
sell mileage tickets at rates of $3.50 for
LOCO miles and $1,000 for 1000 miles.
2. And to permit the use of same by all
persons whose names may be written in
the books, such persons to be only the
members of business houses and their
travelling representatives, and the mem
berS of the purchasers family.
3. 1t is further petitioned that such
books be made interchangeable and good
over all roads III this state, mentioned
in this petition
4. Our reasons for petitioning rates
mentioned in item No. 1 are, tina the
railroads have established the precedent
that in the transportation of both freight
and passengers. a large volume of bust
ness should be handled at less rates thar
a small volume: for illustration. had they
NV 81 Z" III Stl, IL
should they have issued a mileage book
emitting the purchaser to ride first-class
for 1000 miles at a rate of 212 cents per
mile, while their regular frSt-claSS was
311a cents per mile? They evidently recog-
niZed the justice of the claim of those
who travel regularly above those who
only travel occasionally. The same rule
is also observed in the transportation of
freight. For illustration. / refer you to
the rates on that class of merchandise
which moves in smalrquantities ard that
which moves in large quantities.. On a
portion of the latter, special or cOmmodi-
ty rates are granted and the remainder
is handle at the lowest classes. while
the former class is handled at what are
termed class rates. which are classified
SO as to give the class of goods which
comprises the smallest movement the
highest class. Their entire method of
doing business recognizes the principle
which is recognized by all business or
CARNATIONS. that to the largest business
should be given the most favorable terms.
Railroads for a considerable period per-
mitted the use Of mileage books to a
limited number. whose names appeared
in the books, and sold them at rates we
mentioned in item No. l. and only with
drew these rates and conditions,I think.
about eight years ago.
5. Our reasons for making petitions in
item No. 2, are these: It is frequently
the case tina a merchant desires to send
a travelling representative over a road for
which he has no mileage book. and to do
so at present he has to purchase a ticket
at regular fare. or a member of the firm
is compelled to make a special trip on
like terms. We contend that to this class
of travel who invest a large amount of
money in railroad fares should be grant
ed more privileges than they now enjoy.
AS to the use of mileage books to the
members of a purchasers family we as
sign the same reasons as cited in this
item relative to commercial travellers.
for only those who travel a great deal
would purchase the books.
6. Our reasons for making petition as
. mentioned in item No. 3 are these: Pur-
chaserS will not be required to invest SO
much money at one time: and We think it
fair to assume that rates requested Will
increase travel. some among business
men and a great deal among the other
| class of travel herein mentioned. hence
the railroads Will receive more revenue
than now from their passenger service
at no additional expense. Lines member
of the Central Passenger Association sell
interchangeable mileage books good over
| the lines. members of the association. in
dividual lines. members of the associa-
ton, also sell 1000 mile books at ? cents
per mile. and as this was done without
pressure of the courts. We assume that
they recognized the justice of allowing
that portion of their travel from whom
they received the bulk of their revenue
!, the advantages due them. and applied
the same principle which they observe
in transportation Of freight, while con-
forming TO the light of precedent.
:. AS a matter of protection to the rail-
roads. we petition You 10 order that these
books cannot be reSoid by the purchasers.
This will prevent scalping OF mileage
tickets. and afford the railroads all the
protection they need against misuse. and
at the same time protect the interests
which We represent. And as TO the re-
demption of unused books at the expira-
ton of the limit. We ask that you make
one year from date of sale: we also ask
IN<they be redeemed on the same basis
as at present eXiStS-that Is. on the 2.UpJ
mile book reduce the rate per mile at
which redeemed in proportion TO the re-
duction in the rate per mile at which
sold. Respectfully submitted.
AME KYLE.
Mag'r Wilmington Tariff Assoc'n.