The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1904-07-28
Clash Between Eastern Roads
Growing More Serious.
q. A. Il. Rate Chicago to Boston
and Return $40.
SITUATION UNSETTLED
Short Lines Declare They Will
Maintain DifferentiaI.
Western Roads Determine to
Stay Out OF the Fight.

The G.. A r. encampment railroad
rate situation is still in a very unset
tied condition and the indications are
that it will remain SO.
A dispatch from Chicago yesterday
| said that it was the prevailing opinion
that the rates from Chicago to Boston
and return would go down to as low
as $40 for the round trip.
The representatives of the western
railroads had meeting in Chicago a
day or two ago at which it was de-
cided that the western roads would not
allow themselves to be drawn into the
rate war fight.
The western roads decided to make
a rate of one fare for the round trip
from the point at which the ticket was
sold to Chicago and return and add to
the price of the ticket, the price which
the eastern roads authorize for the
round trip between Chicago and Bos-
ton.
In the circular issued by the Central
Passenger association the rates named
were $20.35 by the Michigan Cen
trail. Lake Shore, and Fort Wayne
line of the Pennsylvania system, and
SITS by the Wabash, Grand Trunk,
Erie and Nickel Plate roads.
The higher rate is in force on the
standard lines and the low rate is Of
fered by the differential lines.
At the meeting of the Western Pas
senger officials, the Michigan Central,
a standard line, and the Pennsylvania
road, also standard line, requested that
tickets be sold over their lines at as
low a rate as via any competing line.
I'VE are not disposed to sell tickets
based on hypothetical propositions of
the Eastern standard lines, said the
representative of one of the big West
ern systems. I'VE propose to be gov
cd s-fr iOf nv fho faC
named by the various eastern roads.
The only rate thus far named by the
Michigan Central, Lake Shore, and
Fort Wayne line of the Pennsylvania
ton and return, while the eastern lines
have published a $17.75 rate
The same sentiment is expressed by
representatives of other western roads.
A resolution was adopted to adhere to
the agreed rate of one fare for the
round trip in the western territory,
plus $20.35 for tickets reading over
Eastern standard lines and SITS for
tickets over eastern differential lines.
If lower rates are specifically rendered
by either standard or differential lines
the western roads will use them for
basing purposes, but the request of
the standard lines that tickets be sold
over them at the same rate as is Of
fered by the eastern differential lines
will not be observed by the western
roads.
what the situation will finally develop
into, but the general opinion is that
there promises to be some lively rate
cutting on Aug. IL, 10 and IA, when
the tickets are placed on sale.
An official of one of the differential
lines said yesterday: I'VE have reason
to believe that the standard lines have
secretly been contracting business be-
low $20.35. This we cannot prevent
but if any of these lines offers open
ly a rate less than $20.35 to Boston
we will maintain our differental of
$3.50, no matter how low the rate
goes"
1t is quite generally understood that
the Michigan Central has authorized
the western lines to sell tickets via
the Michigan Central at SITE, al
though public announcement of this
fact has not yet been made.
The public announcement of this
move will be the signal for the begin
ming of the rate war that no one now
knows how will end.