Omaha daily bee., 1902-03-23
The Festive Pass

Auguste Faure, in his book, PASSES, or
the Beauties Of Transportation" examines
critically and somewhat humorously the
practical workings of the great American
institution commonly known as the rail-
road pass. All persons do not subscribe to
this encomium. Only those who achieve the
pass and use 1t applaud its charms and
valiantly urge Its perpetuity. But there
are others, several millions, who never
reach the distinction OF a pass, and, conse-
quently, look upon the institution with
marked disfavor. Mr.. Faure speaks slight
ingly Of 1t and points out the desire for it
and the abuses which the pass system en-
genders. A few excerpts follow:
I once had a long discussion with a con-
gresham who wanted me to get him some
passes. l said to him: Don't you know
that It is against the law OF the land to give
passes?" That did not seem to worry him
much, and l added: mot only is It against
the law of the land. but, in my humble
opinion. to give passes to members OF con-
gress is against the law Of God"
He said: "Oh, we'll, you know, God has
nothing to do with congress, anyway"
But" said l, giving a pass to a con-
gresham and none to his constituents is
q clear case OF discrimination; and II there
is one thing more CALLING than another to
the average mortal it is to be Disseminated
against. AS we look through history we
find that unjust discrimination has always
been the primary cause of all great revolu-
TONS"
He said: IT guess you are right about
that, but let me tell you that members Of
congress are themselves the very first
viotipoa ~ iaorimInation at the hands of
the railroads. II ever there was a set OF
men Disseminated against in the matter
Of passes 1t is certainly the members Of
the house and of the senate; and II they
should start a frst-class revolution one OF
these days l would not be surprised at all.
/ know it for a fact that no two OF them
are treated exactly alike In regard to
passes. One is given a pass good for
himself, his wife and his whole family,
while another is given a pass good for him
self alone, as II he was not expected to
have any wife or any family.
zone receives more annual passes than
he can ever expect to make use OF. An
other does not begin to get the half Of
those he asks for, and he is actually COM
PEELED to humiliate himself before the pass
clerk by asking for an occasional trip pass,
like any ordinary beggar."
Then he proceeded to relate to me what
he claimed had been his OWE individual
experience. He said: 81 wrote a letter to
the president Of a big railroad, asking him
to send a trip pass for myself and my wife.
And some clerk in his ONCE had the cheek
to answer me that, under the rules of his
company, they could not issue passes to
ladies. But tho young man condescended to
add that they would be very glad TO give
me one for myself alone.
WELL" said he. what could I do? 1
took the pass for myself, and then l went
and bought a ticket FOR my wife. And when
we got on the train l met a brother con-
gresham who pulled out a pass good for
himself, his wife. his two daughters and a
servant. oh! l was mad enough myself but
that was nothing compared to my Wife' sne
said she only wished that president was on