The Saint Paul globe. (St. Paul, Minn.) 1896-1905, 1903-09-29
ROADS WITHDRAW
EIGHT DOLLAR RATE
All Chicago Lines but the Rock
Island VIII Restore the Old
Fare.

Circulars were issued yesterday by
six of the st. Paul-Chicago lines, with
drawing the IS passenger rate between
the Twin Cities and Chicago and re-
storing the old fare of $11.50. The
change will become effective Oct 6.
The Rock Island has refused to sane
ton the restoration of the old rate.
and the passenger officials of that line
say that the So fare will remain OPP
erative until the other lines that are
members of the Western Passenger
association make some important con-
cessions regarding the proposed change
in the mileage ticket system.
If the Rock Island persists in main
tanning the stand its traffic manager
has taken, there is likely to be bitter
rate war in all the territory covered
by that system and the other lines of
the Western Passenger association.
Simultaneous with the restoration of
the $11.5O fare between the Twin Cities
and Chicago, will come the withdrawal
of the cheap rate to Duluth and Ash
land. The Wisconsin Central and
Omaha are the only lines affected by
this change, and the old tariff of $13.55
will be substituted for the present fare
of $11.75
The SIS rate was inaugurated June
20 by the Wisconsin Central. General
Passenger Agent Pond, of that line.
cut the rate from $11.50 to So because,
he SAID, two or three of his competi-
tors slashed tariff rates whenever any
party business was to be transported.
At meeting of the lines interested,
he. served notice that he would reduce
the rate TO a figure where it would be
impossible to cut it any further.
Chicago Lines Cut Rates.
AS soon as the Wisconsin Central an
nounced the low rate all the other lines
met the cut. Mr. Ponds action created
considerable hard feeling among the
Chicago-St. Paul lines and for a time
threatened to cause the dissolution of
the Western Passenger association.
However, compromise was made
and the Wisconsin Central agreed to
withdraw the So rate as soon as the
summer excursion business ceased. But
new factor entered into the rate trou-
BILE. The Rock Islands traffic mana
ger, John Sebastian. served notice that
his line would not cancel the cheap
rates.
The mileage question was up for
consideration before the Western Pas
senger association lines and it was
voted to abolish the credential system
and adopt a new plan of interchange
able mileage. The credential system is
Mr.. SebastianS copyright and he draws
a large royalty from the sale of the
credential books and tickets. 1t was
TO protect his personal interests that
he threatened to retaliate by refusing
to withdraw the So fare.
Rock Island Stands Pat.
For several weeks the lines have
tried to dissuade Mr.. Sebastian fromthe
position he has taken, but were evil
IDENTIFY unsuccessful, for the circulars
issued yesterday were published in
dependent of the action of the Rock
Island. Unless the Rock Island serves
notice of the withdrawal of the rate to-
day, it will be nable to cancel the fare
Oct. s, as the Elkins law provides for
the publishing and filing of a notice of
withdrawal ten days prior to the in
crease of rates.
The summer tourist round trip rates,
made in May. will remain operative I'M
I'll Nov. 80. The eastbound excursion
rate is $40 and westbound $16