The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1906-02-16
Trunk Line Pool Would Dis
cipline Pennsylvania.
Resents It's Undertaking for
Transportation of Troops.
RATE FIGHT AYERTED.
Offending Line to Be Debarred
From Military Traffic.
Gossip and Matters of Interest
in Railroad Circles.

i III d-tCiaCu Q45L the military
traffic pool of the trunk lines, those of
the west as well as the east, has been
averted by a narrow margin, all the
competitors ofthe Pennsylvania railroad
finding it to their best interests to unite
in opposition to the Pennsylvania.
Friction had been caused by the action
Of that road concerning transportation
of troops from New York City to San
Francisco. en- route to the Philippine
Islands, and at one time it looked as if
this might lead to serious disturbance.
The other members of the pool, apprec-
iating that this would be diSlstrous
and provoke a rate fight that would be
highly detrimental to all concerned, put
their heads together and decided to
stand solid in pursuing a course which
viii discipline the Pennsylvania and de-
prive it of any of this class of business
for a long period.
Passenger men of western lines and
eastern territory were amazed when
they learned what had occurred, and to
their free and open discussion of the
matter is to be attributed its publicity.
The lines in the pool had received
rOund-rObin invitation to bid for the
transportation of 420 men and 20 off
GERS. In response all submitted, includ-
per capita. with the exception of one
line AS it was that roads turn to
carry the business, under the rules of
the pool, it put in a lower bid with con-
fdent anticipation of receiving the con-
tract.
When the bids were opened it was
found that in addition to the agreed
rate of $3.50, and the lower bid before
mentioned the Pennsylvania had sent
in a supplementary proposal, based on
a tender Tr-fvafHlW accented from the
Southern of $22.95 per capita for ofhcers
and men, via New Orleans ana the
Southern Pacific to destination; also a
rate which was considerably lower than
the present charge for the movement OF
impediments and camp eQu1page.
It was a big surprise to the otner
lines. including those of the west be-
cause it was unlocked for and regarded
as in direct contravention of the trafnc
pool agreement and of all precedent.
Having quoted the lowest figures the
Pennsylvania was awarded the cohlt8Ct'
much to the displeasure or It's compSt-
tors who did not hesitate to register d
vigorous protest against that road IN
justification the Pennsylvania pleaaSo
that it had the right under It's liStll l
ARRANGEMENTS with the Southern, 70 put
with other members of the pool, ana
that it would therefore have been m
consistent for it to refuse to accept the
tender. ,.4..+a5
AS to this, the pool lines objected
only to the fact that it did not, ac-
cording to precedent and pracllce,
make its action known 10 the pfelIeU
road and enable it to reconstruct us
offer to fit the situation
Had the Pennsylvania done so, ana
oiven the opportunity insisted upon
as proper the rights OF the ioWest
bidder under the pool agreement
would have been protected, ana Y
would not have been deprived OF the
The General Eastern Passenger
AGENTS association, which has charge
of the pool arrangements, mas adopteu
a resolution recommending 10 the
trunk line passenger coIllill l-St &c
the PENNSYLVANIA, In the apporuon-
ment of military business, be chafgeo
with the particular rate in question
that it gave to the Southern on the
basis Of the revenue when Woulo
have accrued to the road that was
shut ont and which, it had been de-
cided under the pool agreement
should carry the business, assuming
that this traffic would be carried via
the Pittsburg gateway
This resolution received the aflrm-
alive vote of every eastern line. with
the exception, of course, of the Penn
sxlvania. There was considerable sur
prise at the Southern demanding rec
ognition from the pennsylvania IN
trunk line territory, when IT IS not
I interested directly or Indirectly so Tar
as the local situation is concerned
Strong resentment was also manifest
ed against the Pennsylvania permit
ting a connecting line to force the
To,5fine Of business regardless of its
character and origination in New York
The Pennsylvania share Of the s22 IS
fs 81 90 Der capita. New York to Washing
ION The remaining 1885 per capita from
/ Washington to San Francisco. being d.
vided between the Southern. the Atlanta
ON
I vile and the Southern Pacific.
! The government has invited bids for an
( eoi1q 10 the middle west this week. and
( # is believed that in this instance normal
/ conditions will prevail.
/ If the Trunk line passenger committee
ratifes the proposition Of the General
- .,,.,cu 1sa,r