Delaware gazette and state journal. (Wilmington, Del.) 1883-1902, 1900-12-13
MINISTER'S MUST PAY.
The Trunk Line Committee Abolishes tn,
Half-rate Privilege,

The Trunk Line Committee Abolishes the
Half-rate Privilege.
Baltimore Sum-
A resolution adopted at the meeting
of the passenger committee of the trunk
lines last week will likely cause a big
surprise when it goes into effect. It
provides that after January LIST, 1901,
the reduced rates given by the trunk
lines 20 clergymen, members of the Sal
walton Army, missionaries and members
of religious orders shall be Withdrawn.
The effect of such an agreement by this
committee is far-reaching. 1t means
that full fare will be exacted from this
class of travellers by the following rail-
roads,
Baltimore a Ohio, Pennsylvania, Del
aware, Lackawanua & Western, Lehigh
Valley, New York Central, Central Of
New Jersey, Philadelphia e. Reading,
West Shore, Erie, New York, Ontario
| & Western and Chesapeake & Ohio.
On the last-named road it may only
cover some OF the traffic, as only part
| OF the system is in trunk line territory.
For years past il has been the policy
OF these roads to issue permits to min
listers and Others engaged in religious
| work upon the presentation Of creden-
tials which would identity them as fol-
| lowing such a calling. Whenever they
desired to travel they would present
these permits and by this means would
| be enabled to get half-fare rate.
The number of persons to whom such
permits have been issued has been
steadily increasing. 1t Is roughly esti-
mated that three Of the trunk lines
the Baltimore & Ohio, the Pennsylvania
and the New York Contradictions
issued during the past year 80, 000 such
permits. The other eight lines have
probably issued sufficient number to
| increase the total to about rs, 1000 AS
the permit holders can get the half rate
as often as they travel, the amount of
mileage represented by such travellers
and the SO per cent saving In fares they
have enjoyed would make big show
ing.
| AS the demands for these permits in
creased. many efforts we're made to
either abolish the system or to surround
1t with checks so as to prevent abuses.
No one line would undertake TO With
draw this privilege for fear its COM
petitor would continue it in forcs and
secure an income from this class OF
travellers, which the line demanding a
full rate could not attract.
When the mutually Of ownership
plan was evolved by the dominating
powers in the Baltimore 4 Ohio, Penn
sylpania and the New York Central the
settlement of the freight rate question
was not the only big problem which
was brought up. After the freight
differences had been gotten down to a
basis where the rate-cutter was to a
large extent eliminated many other
problems were brought forward, and
among them was the issuance Of re-
duoed rate tickets. The action taken
at the meeting in New York last week
is one of the results.
Railroad men take the ground that
the idea under which reduced rate
ticket was sold to workers in the relig
ious field has largely disappeared with
the advancement Of the times. In the
early days of railroad they point out
that the workers 10 the cause Of religion
were generally without compensation
and often did manual labor part of
their time to obtain livelihood. Now
it is commended this condition has
greatly changed, and clergymen whose
duties require them to travel have sal
aries from congregations or are sup
ported by special funds. This, the OPP
ponents to the idea of giving reduced
rate declare, enables them to pay the
same rate which the general travelling
public is charged.