Arizona republican., 1901-12-15
EXCHANGE PASSES
Effect of Their Abolition df
 End of Year
Movement Said by an Official to be Nasty and III Advised-Privil-
 eges of Legislators and Politicians

New York, Dec. 14.-Abolition of ex- change passes is still an absorbing topic of conversation and discussion in rail spect to its effect upon the future prospects of those who will be denied the privileges they now enjoy when the agreement become operative on Jan. l.
 Tn my humble judgment" said an official today, the action of the presi- dents has not only been nasty and i'll advised, at this particular time, but the advocates of the measure have been blinded by false notions and personal prejudice to an extent that may even tually react upon their own heads in ways that they have not anticipated. Nor do I think they have been alto gether consistent in deciding upon this abolition and at the same time frankly acknowledging that they cannot cut off legislators and other politicians, as they are powerless to do so.
 Isn't that a nice confession. how ever true for a railroad executive to make? Doesn't 1t confirm what has so often been asserted of the relations between the railroads and this class of men? Yet we are told that the ob ject of cutting off exchange passes is to a considerable extent to stop buses which have grown out of the practic ? of granting this class of free transpor- tation.
 Do you know of a greater number of fragrant abuses than are identified with this very system of Issuing passes to politicians? Why. anybody having a pull with one of those fellows can get a pass over any road operated in trunk line territory. to say nothing Of other sections of the country. It seems to me that in making the acknowledg- ment I spoke of. the presidents weak ened their argument in favor of the abolition of passes for railroad men.
 While. in the event of this departure becoming permanent. there is most grave danger of the services of travel ing agents being dispensed with. have reason to believe that the agreement is only tentative. its chief supporters hav- ing persuaded their associates to give 1t Q trial for a certain period. I know positively that some of the presidents were not much impressed with the idea and reluctantly gave their assent, es- pecially as 1t was not made sufficiently general. in their opinion. to insure it's complete success. They think. too. that if railroad men are to be deprived of passes on lines other than those on which they are employed the politi- clans should also be cut off all lines. Right here the fact occurs to me that in New York state it Is illegal to accept and travel on a pass. yet that provision has become almost dead letter. anI these men never pay railroad fare for themselves. members of their families or intimate friends.
 "Affer a certain time has pXpirpd inc executives will be calling for reports as to the expense accounts of their travelling men on other lines. and what has been received for agents going over their lines. These will be made up into comparative statements, along with others concerning the business obtain ed by their own agents. These will de- termine whether the business was worth the expenditure it cost to get it. Unless one account evens up the other. or comes pretty close to it. there will be an immediate prejudice against a fur ther refusal to issue exchange passes.
 Herein is involved, too the future of the travelling agents. If there are no passes the expense of keeping them on the road and paying their fare may be found too great to continue their ser vices. especially if it is found that the business they get can be had in other ways. This will mean. as has been said on several occasions. that general east ern, district and division passenger agents will have to get out and hustle instead of giving as much attention as they do now to the inside work of their offices"
 There is still possibility Of passes not being abolished as proposed, for I am told that it will be necessary to re- consider the matter at another meet ing, to which presidents will need to be asked who were not invited. it is said, to previous conferences, and who have rebelled against the abolition greed upon. These executives feel that their dignity has not had proper recog- milton. and they are opposed to the principle in question anyway. They have had their heads together and con- cocted a movement, I am told, which some of the weaker eastern lines will be asked to join. with the idea of up- setting the whole programme.
 My own opinion is that the strong lines will refuse to rescind their action and will make the beginning all right, but after a months trial I guess they will be sick of the whole business