The Abbeville press and banner. [volume] (Abbeville, S.C.) 1869-1924, 1906-03-21
CENT RAILWAY FARE
Officials East and West Admit 1t
Will Become General.
To Be Forced on Observation-Disclosures
and Commissions to Act In the
Different States.

Chicago.-Agitation for a two-cents
a mile railroad fare has spread rapidly
over the States since the passage of the
, Ohio law. Railroad officials of the
East and West, according to advices
| collected here, admit that the two-cent
| fare is bound to become general, and
they are only hoping the day of its
adoption will be delayed as long as pos
sible.
The abolition of passes and the be-
lief that two cents is enough FOR most
Eof the railroads east of the Mississippi
TO charge are the two strongest in1u-
ences in strengthening the movement.
| MANY railroad officials believe they
must. offer the lower fare in order to
meet the competition that is develop
ing from the spread of interurban cleo
| tric lines all over the country. The
| action of the railroads on the mileage
book question is another thing that Is
operating to increase the demand for
a two-cent fare.
Michigan took the initiative in the
reduction of passenger fares, but the
law there is a graded one, depending on
the earnings of the railroads. The
fares permitted to be charged range
| from four cents on some roads IN the
upper peninsula to two cents on the
main lines in the lower State.
This law has resulted in giving he
people Of Michigan a two-cent fare on
700 miles of main line and a two and
one-half cent rate on 400 miles Of road.
The operation of the law has proved
| eminently satisfactory to the people
| Of the State, and so far as can De
learned has not affected adversely the
revenue of the railroads.
Governor Hanly, Of Indiana, has de-
| termined that the next Legislature.
| whether it be a special or a regular ses.
| sion, shall pass O two-cent law thai
| shall apply uniformly to all lines with
in the State. A universal sentiment
| exists throughout the State in favor
| Of such a measure.
! The State of Iowa is also moving
| rapidly toward a two-cent fare action.
Governor Cummins recommended COM
pulsory legislation for a family mileage
book to be sold at two cents fiat. Inc
| suggestion was ignored and a tWo-cent
fare bill was introduced in 1903 and
| again in 1906, but has not been given
| consideration by the Railroad Commit
| tee of the House.
In Wisconsin the Secretary of State
has presented a complaint to the Rail-
road Commission that he is compelled
| to pay three cents a mile when riding
OH wisconsin lines and that this is an
excessive fare.
The commission is what is termed a
"strong commission" having power
over rates, and as the temper of the
people Of the State is toward rate re-
| duction, there is little doubt that the
railroads there are facing q tWo-cent
fare.
Had the Governors call permitted 1t,
q two-cent bill would have been rushed
through the Pennsylvania Legislature
| at the last session. There is not the
least doubt that such a measure will
be introduced at the session next jan
uary. An effort was made to induce
| the Governor to amend his special call
so as to permit Of two-cent legislation,
| but without effect.
In Virginia a bill has been introduced
requiring two-cent fares, and 1t will
probably be passed.
In Illinois the State commission re-
Gently reported in favor of a reduction
to two cents, but action was postponed
pending further investigation.
In Nebraska 1t Is a foregone conclrl-
| sion, it is said, to leading commercial
men of the State, that a bill will be
| offered in the next Legislature provid-
ing for a reduction of fares from three
to two cents. 1t may become an issue
in tho pamnaipn.