Evening times-Republican. [volume] (Marshalltown, Iowa) 1890-1923, 1900-05-22
.AAL FARE F)R VETS
Railroads May Make a Permanent
Rate For Soldiers Of the
Civil War.
Union and Confederate Veterans
Both to Be Included in the
Order.
The Western Passenger Association
Starts the Discussion-0utline
Of Project.
The Western Passenger Association
Of Project.

Chicago, May e2.-Yeterans of the
civil war, union and confederate, may
soon be able TO travel in Western Pas
senger Association territory for half
fare. After considerable quiet agita
ton on the subject the executive COM
mittec of the association, which repre-
sents about thirty of the big railway
systems of the west, has decided to con-
slider at its meeting Thursday propo-
sition to grant permanent half fare
rate to the War veterans.
Several members of the committee are
said to be heartily in favor of the meas
ure. and Will do all they can to secure
the passage of a resolution faNoring tue
proposition. If such nl.ussi1e is put
thru 1t Will so as "a recommendation to
the association and will then be voted
upon by all the lines in the organization.
Men who are back of the move believe
that If the favorable action is taken the
example Will be followed by other assoc
Citations and eventually old soldiers will
enjoy reduced rates over every line of
railway in the country.
The matter was first agitated when
tbs railroads began considering IA te ar
ransements for the Grand Army en-
catnpment soon To take place in Chica-
so. Among the list of local rairoad Off
Gals are several MAR veterans who have
always worked hard to gain every pos
sible concession for the old soldi,as.
They then put their heads together and
planned to start a movement tor perna-
nent reduced rates.
1t was claimed that veterans who
fought on both sides in the civil war are
more entitled to half rates than clergy
men who have been enjoying the privi-
lese for many Years. The idea of grant
ing half fare rates TO Grand Army men
to the exclusion Of the confederate Vet
Grams never occurred TO one of the pas
senger officials, who at once recognized
the fact that under the changed condi-
ton of national sentiment it would not
dotosmalle any distinction between the 4
two. Prominent Grand Army men we're
spoken to about the matter and heartily
conceded with the idea of including the
in the matter.
The promoters met with considerable
Giscouragemsnt from certain quarters.
but iav- used argument and persuasion
until5tEe first concession has been made
Not a few officials who We're adverse to
the proposition when first approached
have been won over and will do what
they can to put the measure thru the
executive committee and the associa-
ton. If. however, defeat is met With
at the start. the matter will5not be drop
ped and the effort to gain the wished
for concession Will be renewed with
v:gor.
The concession asked is by no means
a small one. There are today about
200, 600 members Of the Grand Army. aud
fully 100000 who are entitled to mem
bership. In the ranks of the confeder-
ate Sveterans there are fully 100000. Ii
the permanent half rate fare is granted
the majority of those outside the Grand /
Army ranks would Undoubtedly join,
for it is the present purpose TO make the 4
rate available only to members of the
Grand Army and to members of organ
izations made up of confederate veter-
ans. ft becomes effective the western
roads will practically be granting
half fare rate to 100000 people.
The territory over which the lines OF
the Western Passenger Association run
is large, extending TO southern Missou-
ri west TO a line drawn thru Denver and
north TO the Canadian border.
The committee which Will first consid-
er the matter is as follows: General
Pa sssnger Agents Eustis of the Burline-
ton, Charlton of the Alton. KnisHarn Of
the Northwestern, Heafford of the ST.
Paul, Nicholson of the Santa Fee, Sebas-
tan Of the Rock Island. Townsend of
the Missouri Pacific. Mr.. Heafford of
the ST, Paul is prominent member of
the Grand Army, and is said to be en-
Enthusiastically in favor of tie proposed
measure
At present the only veterans entitled
to half fare rates. are those who are in.
mates of soldiers homes, and in order to
get the rate they must have rccnra-
.nendation Of the commanders of their
respective posts.