The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1900-01-08
RAILROAD NEWS.
Paul Morton Discusses Advan-
tages Of American Railways.
Deadly Parallel Shows CONT
mental Roads Are Behind.
BETTER AND CHEAPER
Passenger Fares Are Much Low
er Here Than in Europe.
And Service Afforded Passen-
gers Is Not to Be Compared.


''Not only the best, but the cheapest,
passenger service in the world is given
by the railways of the United States"
said Vice President Morton, of the San
ia Fe system
I'm this country" continued Mr.. Nor
ton, with very few exceptions-the
limited trains between New York and
Washington and Chicago-the second
and third class passenger travels on the
same train as the first class passenger,
thereby covering distances just as rap
idly. In Europe the second and third
class passengers not only have to travel
in inferior cars, but usually on much
slower trains. On many railroads in
America, especially throughout the west
reclining chair cars are run without ex
ira cost to passengers. These cars have
chairs that make very comfortable
seats during the day and can be tipped
back at night for reclining purposes,
and take the place of the fauteuil COM
partments on European trains, for
which an extra charge is made, which
is not less than the Pullman tariffs in
America. None but first class passen-
gers can use the compartment cars on
the continent, while in the United States
second class passengers have the right
to use reclining chair cars and without
extra cost.
The passenger fares on the continent
are very much higher than they are in
America. For example, take the 800
round trip passenger rate from Chicago
to California and return, good for nine
months. This covers a distance of over
5000 miles, going and coming, and the
passenger has the option of going out
via one line and returning by another.
The round trip from London to st. Pc
terburg, a distance of 1885 miles, is
1854; to Constantinople. distance of
2, IA miles, is $139 38, and the single fare
from London to Brindisi a distance of
1,46S miles, Is $3.50.
THE first class fares for short dis
tanceS on the continent will compare
as unfavorably with American rates for
short distances. The first class passen-
ger rate from Chicago to any Missouri
river point, a distance of 500 miles, is
$12.50. The fare from Paris to Geneva,
Switzerland, a distance of less than 400
miles, is $14. Rates east of Chicago
as a rule are lower than in the west.
Sleeping car rates, as a rule, are
more than twice as high on the conti-
nent as Pullman rates in this country
and the accommodations there are in
feriOr. From Paris to Calais, a ride of
five hours, the charge is So for faute-
uil lit, which is nothing more than a
single seat that draws out, not at all
like Pullman berth, but more like
our reclining chair cars. In such a
compartment they furnish neither soap.
brushes, towels, nor attendance-in some
cases not even bedding. That charge
is for a single seat, while in this coun-
try the Pullman rates are all for double
sons. The regular sleeping car rate
from Chicago to New York, for exam
pie, is S., the distance being $50 miles.
The rate from Paris to Monte Carlo,
distance of 500 miles, for sleeping car,
is SIG.
In European sleeping cars there is
no porter to dance attendance to your
wishes, and the conductor is obliged to
make up all berths and look after all
passengers. There is no separate toilet
room for ladies, and the one used by
both sexes is very small, and is not
supplied with the conveniences to be
found in every Pullman car.
Still another extra charge increasing
the cost of travel on the continent, as
cOntrasted with America Is the baggage
tariff. In many countries in Europe you
are allowed no free baggage except
that which you can carry in your hand.
In France you are allowed only Sc
pounds while in the United States ev-
cry passenger is entitled to have $50
pounds of baggage transported free.
Baggage charges in Europe increase the
cost of travel on an average rs per
cent.
Another marked evidence of the lib
crafty of American railways as con-
trasted with European customs, is the
tariff for children. Here all children
under 5 years of age travel free and
charged half rates. The railroads are
quite liberal in their constructions of
this rule, and 1 think accurate figures
would show that a majority of the chill
dren under years of age travel free
In Europe children from to 6 years old
are charged half rates, all over pay
ing full adult fares. While the chill
dren under 8 years are carried free, in
most cases the railroads have rules that
such children cannot occupy seats, but
must be held by parents or nurses I'M
less all persons paying fare are COM
fortably seated