The independent., 1907-02-14

this state, an offense that is not now
covered by the law. and one that is
said to be frequent in his district near
the Wyoming border line. When the
bill came up for consideration in COM
mittee of the whole Mr. Currie ex-
planned the purpose of the bill and
closed with this assertion
Gentlemen, here is a bill that no
one but horsethief will oppose
Whether or not the men of this pro-
fession got in their work or whether
it was merely the work of lawyers will
never be known, but the bill did not
pass both houses. Senator Hanna of
Cherry has introduced the same bill
and similar one relating TO the
bringing of stolen cattle into the state
and the offering of the same for sale.
and both bills passed the senate with
out objection.
At a meeting of passenger represen-
tatives of the Northwestern, Burling-
ton, Rock Island and Union Pacific
railroads held in Omaha yesterday
forenoon important concessions to the
travelling public were agreed upon in
relation to mileage books. 1t was de-
cided to make the interchangeable two
thousand mile book, now sold east Of
the river for $50 with rebate Of $3.50
when used and cover returned by the
original purchaser, good in Nebraska
and that book will be placed on sale in
this state just as soon as the change
can be made and the proper notice of
rate reduction can be made with the
interstate commerce commission. The
rebate on this book is paid only when
the book is entirely used within one
year from the date of sale. This makes
the rate two cents mile, plus so cents
for two thousand miles. The book is
good on all roads in this state. 1t has
been in use east of the Missouri river
for some time.
IT was further decided to place on
sale west Of the river the black book,
or credential where for three thousand
miles Travelled the companies make
rebate equal to one cent a mile In
this scheme the purchaser buys tickets
on the credential plan, and when he
has used three thousand miles he pre-
sents his credentials to the roads and
gets the rebate. He pays full rates for
the tickets purchased, and is out but
one dollar for the book.
Discussing this move, General Pas
senger Agent Wakeley OF the Burling-
ton said: 1.-The effect of this action
practically wipes out the Missouri
IINGf lIDe, lIlE DDOhS 5oud III IoNh ~
| ing good in Nebraska. This concession
| has been made to the people who
| travel.
"rhe net receipts of passenger mile
age in Nebraska is two cents mile.
| A few years ago it was two and three
| quarter cents. You see the rates have
been reduced gradually. The Burling-
ton is now operating trains on some OF
| its branch lines that do not bring In
revenues equal to more than forty
cents a train mile. These trains are
operated at Il great loss. Yet for the
purpose Of development and To help the
country served passenger train are
| run.
"We are opposing tWo-cent rate
! law. There is no money for the Bur-
| lington in passenger traffic. 1T is nee
essary to run trains, but the profit is
in the freight. The people Of Nebraska
should wait until the roads are able to
improve their lines, build needed ter
minals and get in a position to handle
| the business of the state
Mr. Wakeley compared the popula-
ton of Nebraska with Iowa and other
eastern states, and showed that Ne
! braska has much less population per
square mile. The Burlington road has
$500 miles of road in the state, with
nearly one thousand miles west of the
central part where population is light
est. He was certain that his road can-
not stand a cut to two cents on local
passenger fares