Omaha daily bee., 1905-11-25
Hon TO ABOLISH PASS RRLBERr.

HOW TO ABOLISH PASS BRIBERY.
That the railroad pass has become the
entering wedge for railway domination
in politics and legislative corruption is
admitted on all hands, but the eradica-
ton of the evil remains an unsolved
problem. The most effective way for
making the pass harmless would, doubt
less. have been to require all railroads
to give free transportation to public Off
Gals travelling on official business, but
it is an open question whether compul-
sorry free transportation could be en-
forced even by amendment Of the state
constitution.
The most effective means for the sup
preston of the pass evil would be the
enactment by the legislature of a CLASH
fed passenger rate law. Such a law
can be enacted under the constitutional
provision, authorizing the legislature to
ok maximum passenger and freight
rates within the state. This power has
already been exercised in the enactment
Of the law that fixes maximum first
class passenger rates in Nebraska at 3
cents per mile.
In view of the fact that the railroads
have complied with this law and in addi-
ton thereto have established classified
rates for commercial travellers, clergy
men, homeseekers. state fair and theat-
rical rates, the enactment of q classified
rate law would not be new departure,
except insofar as it would compel rail-
roads to carry the various classes of
passengers named in the law at rates
established by the legislature instead of
voluntarily established by their own
passenger departments. A passenger
rate law embracing the following CLASH
fcations and rates would not, it seems
to us, be unreasonable:
Glass 1. Ordinary passenger rates for
a distance Of 100 miles or less, 3 cents
per mile. Passenger rates for 100 miles
and over. 21h cents per mile.
Glass 2. Passenger rate for clergy
men and school teachers, one-half regu-
lar rate.
Glass 3. Round trip rate to state and
county fairs, Chautauqua assemblies,
municipal carnivals and celebrations
and political state conventions. l cent
per mile.
Class 4. Mileage rate for all state off,
GERS, members of the legislature, judges
of the courts during their terms of office,
county officials, city officials and all en-
plOyes of the state. county or municipal
ity travelling on official business, 1h-cent
per mile, payable from the treasures of
the state, county or municipality on
vouchers signed by each person belong
ing TO this class.
This would obviate any contention on
the part of the railroads that they are
compelled to carry public officials with
ont compensation. At the same time it
would do away with every excuse for
granting free transportation to members
Of the legislature, or to delegates to con-
ventions, either surreptitiously or pub
hcly' Inc compulsory grant of trans
portation to accredited delegates to con-
ventlons at cent per mile would not
materially reduce the income of the rail
roads and, in fact would not materially
differ from long distance tourist rates
over the transcontinental railroads.
In carrying passengers the short haul
MOI Il In.
long haul. Trains are bound to stop at
passenger stations and passengers load
themselves and unload themselves at
both ends without expense to the rail.
roads. The 15-cent rate for public Off
Gals would make the pass almost
worthless, even if no provision were
made for their reimbursement by the
state, county or municipality.