Kansas City journal. [volume] (Kansas City, Mo.) 1897-1928, 1899-03-24
AMONG THE RAILROADS
WESTERN PASSENGER ASSOCIATION
AFFAIRS N 4 SNNRI.
Union Pacific and Other Initial Lines
Ignore chairman CnldW~li-RniI-
roads a~ n Rusincss PrOp-
O~~tttOu-ltnte Situation.

troubles afe engaging TIE attention oi All
tie railroads. in the East AS vel! as in the
West, ard the outcome Is predetermined.
But from the point of many of the
passenger men. there is hardly a problem
10 solve. The railroads oi the ountr are
compelled 10 get into difficulties once 80
often, and the time Is ripe for the nassen-
Ger men 10 have a falling out. and it Will
hot only affect the line:. ia the Nest. but
the Eastern Lines will take Il hand. The
fellow that wants 10 travc! will be able
10 do SO at amy old rate" The scalper
will have = hard time making both ends
meet. as his services Will not be required:
TIE rates will lie SO low thar The rake of"
will not pay Office rent. Stability in rates
60 is what makes the heart of the broker
glad. He can then depend upon commits
sIcnS from the weak lines.
The Western Passenger Association at a
recent n.eeins declared that it would not
take any action toward meeting the cut
IN Intermediate rates OF The Northern lines
until Tie committee OF the association and
tl, Northern Ines had met and settled tt!e
matter. But no sooner had the resolution
been adopted than the Union Pacific ana
other initial lines Informed l.. l.. Farmer,
chairman of tie trunk line committee. that
IL could us. any rate j; saw lit. provided
IL was not lower than that offered by III.
Northern line, for bas'ns purposes. Chair
man Caldwell was not consulted in the
matter at ali. In other words. the West
ern lines had ignored the chairman and
We're hound 10 raise d row, no matter what
Efforts We're made TO Keep rates on Il firm
footing.
The Onion Pacific is blamed for the pres
ent state OF affairs. but it has its friends
as well as enemies, and there appears to
be TWO sides 10 the controversy IL is in
timated by the friends of the road. il il
Is approached properly, it will end the
present difficulty by combining with the
other lines and secure ii reorganization of
the association. Some Of the officials ot
the Western lines. on the other hand. are
disposed 10 call attention to the attitude
Of the Union Pacific to the Vuuderbi!ts
and urge Il change in the policy OF the road
IN passenger Affairs. This is laughed at
by many OF the officials, owing to the ar
tltude Of the Vanderbilt lines in the East
ern passenger situation.
The friends OF the Union Pacific contend
further that the road has much provoca-
ton. If not full warrant. for its policy to-
ward the Western Passenger Association
lines. and If they force a night on it, some
Very interesting developments will result.
The Union Pacific is unfortunately situated
and it looks as if il will be forced into d
Isht. no matter what its desires may be.
%esition. The Santa Fe, Burlington and
Rock Island from Chicago and the Missouri
Pacific from ST; Louis could hardly be eX-
Pected to give the Union Pacific business at
the Missouri river which they could secure
to their own rails as far as Colorado. at
least. and the Union Pacific mus. depend
upon the Chicago * Northwestern. Mil
~aukee and Alton for its through business;
even at that the lines which, stop at the
Missouri river must divide their business
there you are.
From Il spectators and travellers stand
point the light makes a pretty sight but
the treasures of the different roads may
tell a different story if it is carried on COR
a time-and loss of revenue will of.times
accomplish more than all the wind wasted
IN a tIrlff debate. 1t is not expected that
the conference between the Western Pas
senSer Association ard the Northern lines
will amount 10 anything and the rate sit
uation will go plump 10 smash unless dras-
TIC measures are adopted.
The Eastern lines do not intend to be left
out in the cold and they have determined
among themselves mol to agree on summer
tourist rates; 1t is the old fight between
the standard and differential lines. The
Grand Trunk has announced its rates.
which are based on the old differentials.
standard lines will make the same rates.
This will cause the differential lines to
make a cut WHICH the standard lines will
meet-and then it will be cheaper to ride
than walk.
Conservative railroad men deplore the
present condition of affairs. as it robs the
promises to be one of unprecedented pros
perity, it was hoped thai the surplus at the
ciose OF the year would be such as 10 make
not only dividends POSSIBLE. but great i'm
thing which is much desired.
The National Educational muddle is clear
Cedar Rapids & Northern have given no
tlce that they will make whatever rates
are named by the direct and circuitous
routes and It is expected that all the other
lines will follow in a few days.
John Sebastian. general passenger agent
OF the Chicago. Rock Island Il Pacific has
called all the passenger men of the com
pany to Chicago for consultation. and in
the opinion of a passenger official there
viii be some tall hustlipp" on the Rock
Island. unless the present trouble is set