The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1906-09-14
Reduction in Central and Trunk
Line Territory by Nov. l.
% FORESTALL LAWS.
Traffic Men Would Rather Make
Cuts Voluntarily.
Gossip and Matters OF Interest
in Railroad Circles.

Chicago, Sept. 1.-Two cents q mile
win be the maximum passenger fare in
Central Passenger and Trunk Line ter
rltory by November ]" was the pre-
dietion made by prominent passen-
ger traffic official who attended a meet
ing of the Central Passenger assoeia-
tien yesterday. 1.-The legislatures of
several Of the eastern states are deter
mined to pass 2 cent laws, and many
railroad officials believe that It is bet
ter to make the reduction voluntarily
than wait until they are forced to do
go. So far as my road Is concerned,
we are ready to make the cut.
This statement was made In discuss
ing the action of the Erie in announc-
ing a 27z cent rate on its entire system.
The official said that the action of the
Underwood line was not unexpected by
his company and that he had no fault
to find with it.
All Ready to FaII in Line.
We viii all have to come into line
with the reduction he said. THE Erie
has evidently undertaken to get even
with the PENNSYLVANIA for its reduction
east of Buffalo and has made the cut
effective in the Central Passenger asso-
citation territory. This is evident be-
cause the Pennsylvania will lose more
+ by the reduction than any other line
insomuch as the Eandalla. Panhandle
and portion of its Fort Wayne route
Is In the territory effected -
The effect of the Fries cut win be a
reduction in a large number of ticket
fares. Rate clerks have not yet had
time to check IN the new rates, but a
rough estimate of few cases shows
that the reduction will be one of the
greatest ever offered to the travelling
public. Thus, using a 2% cent rate
from Chicago to the Ohio line and 2
cents through Ohio, the rate to Cleve-
land would become S7.46 instead of SO.
the present rate. The Pittsburg rate
under the same conditions would be-
come SOB instead of $3.50. The
Wheeling wv. Ya.) rate is cut nearly
50, and other rates in like proportion.
Save on Electric Lines.
It is believed by many railroad men
that the eastern lines can AFFORD a 2
cent rate. When the Ohio legislature
took up the proposition these men
thought that a maximum 2 cent rate
would be a severe blow, but experience
has shown differently. The cent rate
has made the railroad rate so nearly
even with the electric line rate that the
railroads have gained greatly in traffic
Some of the lines that a year ago were
forced to take OF trains because of the
electric line competition are consider
ing the advisa bility Of putting the trains
back into service.
But whether the roads can stand a >
cent rate IS not the proposition. The
one thing involved is whether the roads
prefer to make voluntary reductions or
wait until they are compelled to submit
10 the lower rate by the legislation of
the various states through which their
tracks run. BY making the reduction
voluntarily they can keep the good will
OF the people, but there is a question
If they permitted the states to force
down down the rates. If they would not
stir up public feeling to too great an
extent.