Durango semi-weekly herald., 1904-01-14
PASSENGERS AND PAS
sENGER RATES.

The following from the Denver Re
publican is worthy of consideration
NOW that the railroads center
ing in Denver have cut OF all an
nual passes heretofore issued to
large shippers, the victims OF this
policy are wondering if there will
be corresponding reduction in
passenger rates.
II not, the railroads must get
a large increase in revenue from
this source, ii their old contention
that a very large percentage OF
their passengers rode on passes
was trne. while the public will not
be hrnentad ia any way by the
cns4se.
The chief argument against the
pass ster7 has always tecn that
its abolition would insure lower
rites FOR the public. as those who
p-!d heretofore. had to pay not
only for themselves, but for the
deddheads as well. But If the old
rates are maintained while the
shippers are crt of the compli-
mcntary list, this theory will not
work out very we'll
Another grievance of the ship
pcrs will be found in the fact that
while they must pay their fares,
the public officials, from governor
to constable Will still be carried
free by the railroads.
1T will be surprising If this
whole question is not brought be-
lore the next general assembly of
Colorado for adjustment"
Now. no one will kick-we mean
shipper-if the railroad company will
use one and all alike. If shippers and
those engaged in developing the coun-
try are denied favors-and the mine
owner is as much shipper as the
merchant-then the same rule should
apply to ALI just why some one who
comes to Colorado and puts in hun
dreds of thousands OF dollars in de-
ve!oping our resources should he cut
off, and some politician with a pull
able to secure passes for himself and
friends. has never been explained
In this connection we quote from the
last Issue of the lndependent-Journai
OF Alamosa, as follows:
'Coneios county has two sena-
tors, and both are Democrats.
One was elected by Republicans
and the other was not elected at
all, but wds seated by the rascal
ity OF Democratic senate. Now,
let us have one Republican sena-
tor, so that the pass patronage,
which Is being used for the ben
eft of the Democratic party, will
be divided. Railroad passes
should cease to be used exclu-
sively for the benefit of the DEM
ocratic party"
II is true that no one residing in Ala
mosa or Conejos county ever thinks
of paying railroad fare. If one wanted
passes in years gone by all that was
necessary was TO stand in with the
Conejos county machine and the paste
boards were forthcoming. 1t remains
to be seen if this rule is to continue.
The Herald is for the complete pro-
hibition OF passes and the reduction
OF fare. Let newspapers receive trans
portation according to the value of the
space given the roads. Durango should
enjoy round trip rate to Denver not
to exceed S25 and at this rate and no
passes the company would more than
double its passenger receipts. The
5000 ore-way rate is almost prohib-
tive un 'ess business compels the
trip, hence the scheming TO secure
passes or half-rate orders.
There is no use denying that ship
pers, mine owners and the common
herd will kick and kick Justify. If
compe' ed TO put up high fare while
in lie next seat is a man with a pass
who IS not entitled to 1t, bat riding at
the eXl 'nse OF the pay passengers.
In the past The Denver & Rio Grande
has been very liberal. 1t was the
pass that largely aided in developing
this southwest section. To make up
for this reduce the fare and serve one
and all alike.