Kansas City journal. [volume] (Kansas City, Mo.) 1897-1928, 1899-12-07
AMONG THE RAILROADS
TRANs-CONTINENTA PASSENGER
WAR IS ON.
Involves All Roads From the Atlantic
to the Pacifc-Result of Old Quar-.
rel Between Standard and
Diferential Lines.


war has begun which threatens to become the great
| est ever known. Already all the lines forming
direct routes from New England to California are in
| volred. From present indications the war will be
| between the Vanderbilt and Pennsylvania systems
and the Northwestern. Rock Island Burlington and
st. Paul roads side. all the differential
lines between Chicago and the Atlantic coast with
the Southern Pacific. Santa Fe and Illinois Central
roads on the other side.
So far only rates traffic to California are seri-
ously affected. but signs Of Generalization are ap-
parent on all classes Of traffic. The present trouble
grows directly out OF the old controversy Of Eastern
railroads over dferental rates. 1t may or may not
be true that the president of OF the strongest
lines in the Vanderbilt system conceived a plan,
which was instituted in New England territory to
abolish all dferential passenger rates; but 1t is
certain that several weeks second class tickets
from Boston to San Francisco were sold via the
Boston e. Albany road of the Vanderbilt system and
Its connections at the same as was made via
the dirferential lines of New England and their con
nections This led to secret cutting and the
payment of excessive commissions by both sides
until to-day second class tickets from Boston to San
Francisco being sold for about $40 less than the
Regular second class rate from Chicago to San
Francisco.
The diircrential lines of New England have de-
cared boycott against the Burlington Rock ISL
and, Northwestern and st. Paul roads, and Civ
ing all their California traffic the Santa Fe and
Southern Pacific except a limited of excur-
sion business given to the Alton and Missouri Pacific
roads. The Vanderbilt line, the Boston & Albany
Northwestern. st. Paul and Burlington roads
In addition to being dragged into the dnerential
fight of the Eastern roads. the Burlington, Rock
Island st. Paul and Northwestern roads, and theii
connections. have grievance of their against
the Santa Fe and Southern Pacific. claiming that
those two roads formed a pool for the purpose OF
controlling California traffic. 1t is also limited that
the Illinois Central has recently been admitted to the
pool of the Santa Fe and Southern Pacific Evidence
has been secured that tickets from Chicago to San
Francisco and return have been sold via the Illinois
Central to New Orleans and thence via the Southern
Ar tn San and tn hs
made in the spring via the Illinois Central road from
Omaha to Chicago.
roads said yesterday: There has never been time
when the passenger situation from the Atlantic and
outlook than at present. The air is full OF rumors
as to high commissions and cut rates. 1t Is ad-
mitted by all the California lines west of Chicago
that serious reductions in rates being made, and
each line is trying to protect itself against the other
by offering free tourist car accommodations as high
SIS in the rates, free tickets and other con-
cessiors for the coast traffic At this season Of the
large numbers of people are going to California
and those lines that have through service have
what are called weekly personally conducted
sions.' which handle large numbers of people. 1t
will therefore be seen there is great rivalry for the
traffic.
THE Western Passenger Association appears pow
erless to be of any special benefit in bringing about
better conditions, it is in somewhat OF disor-
ganzed condition at the present time, and its lines
not working tremendously.
THE Illinois Central be counted upon be-
ing in the future very important factor In trans
continental traffic. inasmuch as it can give the
Southern Pacific the long haul business delivered
via New Orleans, and In consideration for this Will
get the support of the Southern Pacific in return bust
ness through Omaha. to which point the Illinois
Central has recently been completed. Moreover, the
Illinois Central will undoubtedly receive very active
support from the Union Pacific account of the
close relationship existing between those lines
THE feeling between the various traffic officials in
regard to transcontnenta traffic. both east and west
bound. has become intense. A number OF the lines
and such being the it is not expected harmony
can prevail The Santa Fe and Southern Pacific
companies. in their efforts to control the Pacific
coast traffic, both and west bound have gone
entirely far in excluding other roads from traf-
they should have fair field in competition. which
is denied them. The Santa Fe's attitude in joining
with the Southern Pacific in this position as we'll
its action in New England in connection with the
differental roads, has driven other Western rocds
into position where they must show their hands
in either turning down the Boston & Albany road
or joining with it and the Pennsylvania and Wander
bilt interests in protecting themselves as against
general competition.
TT is understood an effort will be made to get a
meeting of passenger officials Of the transcontinental
lines at an early date. but no good can come of
such meeting with the present feeling on the part
of certain of these roads 1t seems unfortunate
at time when business is so promising and rail-
road earnings satisfactory. that these vexed ques-
lions should have involved the lines in these disturb
1t will require all the wisdom and tact OF
the general passenger agents from the Atlantic to the
Pacific to bring about settlement" -.
SIOUX CITY. IA, Dec. CIV. B. McNder, trafnc
manager for the Sioux City & Northern railway an
that that road and the Great Northern. its
Northern connection would join with the 500 line
and the Canadian Pacific in making a for first
class passenger business to New York which would
be 81 less than the late via Chicago and the Eastern
reads. This move on the part of the Hill roads,
railway men say, will so demoralize the passenger
business east bound that a serious rate may
result. For the present. the Chicago Milwaukee &
ST. Paul. the Illinois Central and the Northwestern
will meet the cut and will continue to sell
through tickets to New York for $2S75. while the
Great Northern makes rate OF $3.50.
CLEVELAND. o.. Dec. Ga meeting Of the gen.
eral passenger agents of the different roads running
out OF Buffalo Will be held in that city Saturday
for the purpose of dealing with the conditions which
have brought about the decentralization OF rates.
CHICAGO, Dec. 6.-The Southern Pacific and Santa
Fe railroads have agreed to call a meeting pas
senger officials Of all transcontnental lines to
slider the California rate 1t will be held in Chi
cago as after December 10 possible The
rate is progressing. party of three secured
tickets from Chicago to California to-day ut
of $40 for second class. which is $3.50 below
tariff rate of s1i first class from ST. Paul to New
York Is being made by the Sioux City Northern
End Canadian Pacific. This probably will be met by
the Chicago Great Western and Grand Trunk,
which will take other lines into the trouble.