The Saint Paul globe. (St. Paul, Minn.) 1896-1905, 1903-10-02
EIeHT-DoLLAR RATE TO STAY.
St. PauI-chcago Lines May Not Restore
Old Passenger Tariff.

Unless the Rock Island recedes from its
present position and agrees to the restora
ton OF the $11 so rate between the Twin
Cities and Chicago, the other st. Paul
Chicago lines may cancel their circulars
which order the withdrawal of the So
fare on Oct 8.
Passenger officials say that this action
may be legally taken Oct 5 by publishing
tariff sheets with the interstate COM
merce commission, formally Withdrawing
present fare of So.
There was considerable discussion yes
terday among the passenger men of the
81. Paul chicago lines regarding the &C
ton of the Rock Island in refusing to
raise the rate in concert with the other
roads. Competitors of the Rock Island
system freely admit that if the six Chi
Oct. s, and the Rock Island refused to do
likewise, that line will get the largest
portion OF the eaStbound traffic at it's
reduced rates.
low his name to be mentioned in an inter
view, it was admitted by several of the
St Paul agents that there is move I'M
derway to cancel the order restoring the
old rates. 1t was said that the with
drawal of the SIS fare scheduled for Oct. 8
was made to test the position of the Rock
Island, and that now having ascertained
that that line is firm and will not restore
the old rate regardless of the action of
the other roads, the circulars will be can
celled Monday and the So fare remain eff
fectiVe indefinitely.
If, however, the Rock Island shows the
white feather. and Traffic Passenger
Agent Sebastian should decide to act in
concert with the other lines, the restora-
ton order will stand and the old tariff
rates will again be enforced.
Under the provisions of the Elkins law
any line may lower the published tariff
rate by giving it's competitors three DAYS
notice. but to increase rate it is neces
sary to publish the new tariff ten days
prior to the date on which it becomes eff
fective.
1t will be impossible for the Rock Island
to withdraw it's So rate before Oct. IL
should Mr.. Sebastian file his notice today.
However, If he would agree to do SO it is
said that the other lines would not object
to the Rock Islands cheap rate for a few
days. On the other hand, it is authori
tatively stated that the Rock Island COM
petitors will withdraw their restoration
rate orders If Mr.. Sebastian does not act
before Monday.
There was also considerable discussion
yesterday among railroad men regarding
the Rock Islands peculiar position in
1t operates over the Milwaukee's tracks
AS was stated in T he GIL be, the
Rock Island will charge the old 81 so
rate from Pennington and five other cities
located on the Milwaukee's line. as its
contract with that road compels the Rock
Island to keep it's traffic charges from
those cities as high as the Milwaukee's
1t is said that the citizens of the towns
affected will bring action against the
Rock Island under the long and short haul
clause of the interstate commerce law,
as the fare from those towns will be So SO
higher than the rate from ST. Paul. al
though the former cities are at least
thirty miles nearer to Chicago. The Rock
Islands competitors may back the towns
in their fight to compel the reduction in
the rates.
Word from Chicago was received yes
terday that the motive department of the
Rock Island is preparing for heavy traf-
fic on the Northern division when the
other lines place the $11.50 rate in force.
1t is anticipated by the traffic officials
of the Rock Island that at least two
extra trains will be necessary to handle
their increased business should the rates
be advanced by the other lines.