Kansas City journal. [volume] (Kansas City, Mo.) 1897-1928, 1899-12-08
AMONG THE RAILROADS
TRANSCONTINENTAL PASSENGER
WAR MAY BECOME SERIOUS.
Western Rates Are DemOralixed-Snn-
ia Fee and Southern Pacific Call
q Meeting to Discuss Situa-
tiOn-RailrOad News,

CHICAGO. Dec. 7.-(Special) The foremost tonic
OF discussion in local railroad circles yesterday was
'he pudding transcontnental passenger rate war;
Aost passenger officials who are familiar with the
situation and the conditions leading up to II are of
the opinion that the avertng of unprecedented hos
tiites Is out of the question. The general impress
sion is that the long existing contention over differ
entails and the troubles that have arisen from the
initial squabble several years ago will be settled
Tor good, and that nothing short OF a finish fight
will be considered after the executive officers of the
Eastern and Western lines have had their say in
joint conference.
The interest in the matter is intense and one
railroad man yesterday said that before the trouble
new enemies Nobody OF the directly interested
Western lines doubts that the war has begun
Some roads can't stand rate war; said West
ern Official yesterday. but they will have to suffer
when the big ones get their teeth firmly set and
their eyes full of FIRE. Except in the settlement of
the old question of diferentials, don't see how
anybody is going to benefit in a general war. But
the old question has been hanging SO long and has
been the Of so much trouble that the lines
are willing to resort to almost anything settle 1t.
and guess that right now is good time any
TO wind the matter up
Officials of the Santa Fe and the Southern Pacific
roads have decided to call meeting OF representa-
tives Of transcontnenta lines for the of dis
scribe remedies II boodless remedies are in order.
The meeting will be held after the 18th of
THIS month as possible The Eastern presidents be
matter will be aired from beginning end and sus-
gestions for settlement made.
One evidence of warfare lies in the fact that second
class or tourist tickets being sold from Boston
San Francisco at smaller than for those from:
this city to the Golden Gate city The present rate
IRON the Hub San Francisco via Portland and rail
Is $3.50. normal rate $60.l5: via Portland and
steamer. $3.50. normal s5715 and via Chicago
direct $780, normal rate 1915. These rates are
made BY the Boston Maine and the Fitchburg
roads Tie Boston Albanys present rate from
Boston to the coast city is $6f75. The from
Chicago to San Francisco is $3.50, though marked
cuts said to have been made within the last few
weeks Free sleeping car accommodations frequently
offered inducement to prospective tourists.
The Santa Fe. which is lined up with the Southern
Pacific, Alton. Missouri Pacific and Illinois Central
the Western allies Of the Boston Maine and the
Fitchburg roads-has trade relationship with the
Boston Albany which is said to be Of a pleas
ant character.
Tariff rates not being maintained by the roads
from Chicago Kansas City and from Chicago to
Denver either first second class trafac- The
brokers to have trouble IN getting all the
tickets they certain lines and Of the
ticket Offices of the railroads by detectives Of the
Western Passenger Association show that Of the
roads resortinx to the usual underhand methods
of securing business.
As n matter OF fact. tariff rates are not being
maintained from Chicago to any point west of the
Missouri river. party Of three yesterday secured
second class rate to San Francisco of $685. So
each Some of the roads which do not want to cut
the actual for transportation practically Do
ing by offering free sleeping accommodations.
free tickets to organizers Of parties and other
cesSions.