The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1901-04-18
Western Roads involved in Rate
Troubles
Close Competition Is Likely to
Result.
GENERAL REDUCTION.
TwO-Cent Rate West Of the Mis-.
souri, River.
Santa Fe Wins Suit Brought by
Lemon Bros.

Western railroads are having their
own troubles nowadays. Most of them,
the unsurmising public never knows
much about. but they exist just the
same. The passenger men know it and
SO do those who are watching closely
for the cheapest rates. The evidence is
not very clear just yet as to where the
blame lies but it is safe to say that the
Rock Island created q considerable COM
motion in passenger circles when early
this spring it repeated its last years an
nouncement of reduced rates to Colo
RADIO points during the summer. Tickets
on this rate were 20 be on sale only cv-
cry Tuesday: and the next move was
for the Burlington, which made the
same offer, effective, however every day
in the week
Now the Santa Fe and Burlington win
probably mix matters up more than ever
by a permanent reduction ii passenger
rates west of the Missouri river Al
ready The Western passenger associa-
lions have been notified by these lines
that, beginning June 1, they would put
on sale in trans Missouri territory IN
Interchangeable mileage books. Some Of
the roads opposed this action and row
threaten to retaliate by selling mileage
books at a fiat rate of cents per mile.
The present prospect IS that the Bur
lingtOn Will make half rates between
IS and ending September IL. This win
result in a general reduction Of passen
ger rates throughout the v est aid
Scuthwe est. as well as in the Northwest.
The scene OF the rate war will be trans
ferred to eastern passenger territory as
soon as the Buffalo exposition, the Ma
tional Educational association. and other
events open, which viii occur in the
East during the summer
1T may be a good plan to lose little
blood said a prominent railway official,
while discussing the passenger rate war
of the western roads. For several years
all the railroads have been steadily in
creasing their earnings. Freight rates
have been advanced to a profitable basis,
and the shippers have not done an I'M
reasonable amount OF complaining. by
abolishing the custom of paying COM
missions on ticket sales all the roads
have saved money-but some have lost
more than they saved 1t has not been
necessary for either the freight or pas
senger officials to do hard work. be
cause business has been fairly thrown at
them. A war in passenger rates is
good thing for the passengers, AMI also
promotes activity on the part Of passen-
ger officials. Some of the big fellows
are now having a delightful Junket in
California am glad they are enjoying
themselves now, for some hard work
is ahead of them
Today the Burlington announced an
exhaustive series of excursion rates for
the coming season. 1t makes round trip
rates of S21 from St Louis, $25 from Chi
cage and SIS from Missouri river to Den
YER Colorado Springs and Pueblo. with
So higher to Utah points. with selling
dates from July 1 to inclusive, and
September L to 10 inclusive, every day
instead Of on special dates. It also
makes excursion rates of one fare plus
81 from its territory to Colorado and
Utah summer tourists points with 80
days limit. with dates from June is to
80, inclusive and from July 10 to August
81 inclusive, daily. except that ON about
49, -,1~-r 81
excursion basis good, with final limit
October 81