The Saint Paul globe. (St. Paul, Minn.) 1896-1905, 1900-01-21

ST. Paul People Have Been studying
the Rate Question, and "A PrOpO-
sition to Establish n Rate Differ
entail Has Been Brought Up-Rep-
resentatives of the Different Lines
Talk on the Present Situation.
The Chicago-St Paul lines were repre-
scented by their vice presidents or general
passenger agents at metineg held Friday
in Chicago The conference occurred at
the headquarters of the Western Pas
senger association and was called for the
purpose of considering the renewal OF the
Chicago-St. Paul agreement originally
made by the executive officers last No
vember The November adjustment of
differences resulted in the maintenance
of rates and was signed to cover period
extending until the first of the year 1t
was then the hope of all that the three
outstanding lines-the Wisconsin Central,
Minneapolis & ST. Louis and Great West
ern-could be induced to enter the West
ern Passenger association and thus Sc
cure a permanent agreement. These
three are still on the outer edge of
things, however, though all roads have
after its legal expiration.
In ST. Paul several officials have been
studying the rate question, and in out
side as we'll as inside railroad circles, the
proposition to establish rate ditreren-
tial has been brought up. General Pas
senger Agent Whitney, Of the Great
Northern, who has kept a close watch on
Chicago conditions, has this to say Of
such a proceeding:
'If the physical condition of the diff
ferent Chicago lines could be maintained
intact through a series of years, In eX-
actly the same shape as now, such plan
would give promise of becoming a salts
factory solution of the Chicago-St Paul
problem. This Is not to be expected,
however as construction and improve
ment progress monthly and conditions
upon which the fight for business Is made
are unstable. Every improvement of
roadbed between the cities and Chicago
by the weak lines and every shortening
of the run means a further step toward
equalizing the conditions between them
and the strong lines.
IF it were not for this fact would be
heartily In favor Of the general establish
ment of differential passenger rates, al
lowing the railroad having the longest
and most tiresome run the benefit of a
$10-rate, say ST. Paul to Chicago Then
the strong lines, with more attractive ac-
commodations, could sell at $11.50, charg
ing the extra $3.50 for their better service.
There is one insurmountable difficulty
in the way of all this and 1t is the fact
that If a differential We're made, improve
ments of the weak lines would follow and
with the lower rate, they would soon be
competing on similar basis with the
strong lines. Then they would have the
service and rate both, to the discontinue
of the strong lines. Such an opening for
the weak lines would be a good thing
which would be snapped up in a min
ute"
In the meantime, pending some wise
mans solution of a differential problem
the Chicago lines have decided to saw
wood and until another season at least
rates will be strictly maintained. The re-
cent action of the executives in New York
has dampened the cut-rate enthusiasm
and the general passenger agents have
suddenly come to a realization that exec
utive action cuts off much Of their rate
cutting liberty
1.-The trouble of settling this rate ques-
ton has been taken out of our hands by
the men who own the railroads. said
representative of one of the Chicago
lines. I'm view of the action taken by the
highest officials at their recent meeting in
New York, any passenger official who
cuts rates by payment of commissions or
otherwise would practically throw himself
out of job. To tell the truth, the gener-
al passenger agents have just begun. to
realize what that agreement made in
New York last week means. In one way,
1t might be summed up in these words:
We, the owners Of the railroads, have
no more use for rate cutters In due
time the general passenger agents will
probably be further enlightened as to the
course all of them must pursue. Mean
time all Of US will strictly maintain rates.
We viii meet In Chicago on Jan. "a to dis
cuss the subject again."