The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1900-10-17
RAILROAD NEWS.
Passenger Rate War is On and
No End In Sight.
Northwestern Cuts Are General
Now and 1t Looks Like
CALIFORNIA IS NEXT.
TranscOntinentaI Association
Has a Big Job on Its Hands
To Bring Roads Into Line and
Stop SIashing.

Western railroads are well advanced
into a passenger traffic war that has
been brewing for some time and un-
dergoing a gradual progression as the
days went by. Executive officials worked
on the problem in Chicago for a long
time and finally evolved the Transconti-
mental Passenger association, which is
expected to repair the mischief. but just
how that is going to be done is another
question.
Cheap rate excursions have been at
the bottom of the whole business, and
the Settlers rates of the Great North
ern and Northern Pacific get the lions
share of the blame These are said to
have been making more or less trouble
for a year or more. From Chicago and
St Paul the decentralization in rates
have worked their way down to the
Missouri river gateway, and nobody
knows where the cutting is going to
stop.
The Burlington opened up the Mis-
souri, river gateway with competitive
northwestern connections promptly met
the reductions. The Union Pacific, Mis-
souri, Pacific and Rock Island roads,
from their respective HEADQUARTERS have
sale of tickets at the cut rate of $23 one
way to Montana points and $40 for round
trip; $28 one way and $45 round trip to
Portland and Puget Sound points.
This means that Topeka. and interme-
date points TO the northwest have the
advantage of the low rates also.
One new and significant point in the
meeting of the rate is contained in the
announcement of General Passenger
Agent Sebastian of the Rock Island.
This road has gone a stride further, and
authorizes the sale of cheap tickets on
every Tuesday from February II to
in adj to he
specified by the other roads, which is
until November q.
1t will be in order for the other roads
to meet this extension in time in the
sales of excursion tickets, which may
effect all classes of travel from the Mis-
souri, river gateway to the northwest,
unless some adjustment is made. The
outlook is that the next class of business
the California travel. Though there is
the strong opposition of the Santa F'e
to such a move, it would seem to follow
as the inevitable consequence of what
has gone before. The steps have all been
gradual, and California is the next log
.cally and geographically. On this point
a passenger official of one of the inter
ested roads in Topeka. said:
Il know it is strongly opposed, but
things are working for a low rate into
California, it seems to me. By going by
way of Portland, now, with this cheap
rate, the round trip can be made for
$50, when the regular fare is $50. These
previous cuts have followed one another
by the various roads, being met on the
defensive to save their business. It
started with the northern lines. They
stay out of the Transcontinental Asso-
citation, and for protection the associa-
ton roads have to meet their cuts It
has extended so far now as to affect all
the western territory; that is why /
think that California business will be
brought into the mess Was the Trans
continental association formed to stop
this Decentralization of rates? I suppose
so; and Mr.. Charlton has a big job on
his hands, I'll agree"