The Seattle post-intelligencer. [volume] (Seattle, Wash. Terr. [Wash.]) 1888-1914, 1900-10-06

Probably not since the days of a year
ago. when a war In passenger rates kept
the departments OF transcontfnental roaaS
figuring as to how low tickets could be
sold from Seattle to Eastern points. has
there been such a feeling OF unrest as
at the present time. Few agents VIII
dare 20 venture an opinion. and those who
do add that. they hope for the best.
The present uneasiness Is all on account
of the action OF the Great Northern in
putting homeseekers' rates from Chicago
to the Pacific coast which. 1t Is feared
VIII result. IL they are kept UP for any
considerable time, In n decentralization Of
rates TO and from the Coast While the
rates are only announced for a month.
beginning Sunday next. there Is already
Indications, II is said. that they may be
kept on permanently or at least for many
months after the time announced has
expired. and particularly IL the expert
ment should prove a success.
Yet according TO local authority, there
Is reason for the action Of the Great
Northern. and while the announcement OF
the rates fell like a thunderboit In the
local camp. In official circles II has been
known that the road contemplated such
action for two weeks past. In fact, the
matter has been under discussion in the
general offices Of all the transcontinental
lines for that period. The reason given
for the Introduction OF the new 10 one
way. and the 80 round-trfp rate from
Chicago to the Coast, II that all during
the summer the various lines operating
from Chicago to Colorado points and other
adjacent territory have been making low
rates and offering special Inducements TO
homeseekers to locate in those sections
II Is therefore, so II IL said. for the
purpose Of protecting itself that the Great
Northern put In the rates that II hopes
will bF the means OF diverting at least
a portion of that business to points on
Its own line.
VIII Meet the RaAss.
While as yet none Of the ether local
lines have received instructions IN re-
sard TO the matter. It II generally ac-
cepted that all lines will meet the rates
and DO business on the same plane as
the Great Northern
The seriousness OF the situation comes
IN, u IL said. not in tho homeseeker rate
new rates a way has been opened for the
manipulation OF passenger fares from Chi
cago to the Coast and from this section
70 the East II the Great Northern only
nouneed: i Il thought that much Of the
anticipated evil win he avarted but In
case the period Il extended. and there are
said the rate situation will be very seri-
GUS
The opportunity for the opening Of the
Uf0KHFQ
here and It the Eastern points. In chi.
cage. X II claimed. 4 broker can sell a
ronnd-trip tickcs for 80. and give a rebate
check chs * to Be- oa.hed ct this end calling
Seattle SIS instead of t5i.50 for second
class ticket. or S61.sc for 3rst-class
ticket. The return portion can then be
whatever he can get for II. within thirty
days, to Chicago In this manner. while
the tickets are on sale weekly. there is
every chance for q decentralization of bust
ness. This Is the fear Of ali passenger
agents. who. in speaking, say there IA no
doubt that their lines viii meet any
rate. that may be made by any other
road.
canaaian Paeias Views.
Among the Waiting railroad men now In
the city IL G. y Mcpherson. general pas
senger agent of The Canadian Pacific with
headquarters at Winnipeg. lie Is here
with r. j. Coyie. assistant general pas
senger agent at Vancouver. for the pur-
pose OF looking over the affairs OF the
road. In speaking OF tho hs1eseeker rates
s'As the matter Of homesceker rates
TO the Pacific coast II for the 500 line
to attend to. am not In position to
say ssFy much ,s about ,, II H low DO
causing rate war from the Pacific coast.
as they are only put In for short
time Whether that time will be extended
at ats expiration remasns TO be seen II
Is my epsnion that all lines that are
afBsossd BY the Asw rate VIII meef st.
In fact. i do not see how they can DO
otherwise. II IL true that an opporsusity
for the manipulation Of tickets has been
opened, hut II Is also true that all lines
viii De In the same position and viii suf-
fer alike Therefore, there can be no
gooa reason for any line msirnx q further
reduced rate. as II VIII emily mean a
greater loss and cannot possibly do any
goeA. should the Great Northern extend
the time OF the xaia OF these tickets there
IL no telling what win he the outcome.