The Washington herald., 1907-08-26
PLOT! CRIES CONEY
g. A. R. Candidate Sees Deep
laid Railroad Conspiracy.
JUGGLE RATES TO BEAT HIN
Kansas Captain Appeals to Inter-
state Commerce Commission 10 Or
East's-DecIareS Present Arrange
ment Injuries His Chances.

The Interstate Commerce Commission
has up for solution the knottiest problem
presented to it for consideration since
the new rate law became effective in
August 1875. It is nothing more or less
than a charge by Capt Patrick Henry
Coaey. Of Kansas. who wants 10 be com
mander-in-chief OF the Grand Army Of
the Republic. that the railroads Of the
country have. BY accident or design, as
sumed an attitude that is prejudicial to
his candidacy. IN Kansas they are max
ing The welkin ring out of sympathy for
Capt Patrick Henry Coney, and the end
is not yet. This Is the sad story:
There are three candidates in addition
10 Capt Coney. whose names viii be
voted on for the Office of commander
in-chief Of the c. A r. az the annual
encampment, which viii be held at sara
toga the week after next They are
Charles G. Burton. collector OF the port
at Kansas City Charles Burrows. CT
Kew Jersey and Gen. John T. Wilder,
Of Tennessee Capt. Coney does not fear
the candidacy Of Col Burton. He claims
that the Kansas City man viii be left
al the post But he fears the Eastern
candidates for the reason, as he SAYS.
that the railroads have fixed a deal in
rates that Injuries his candidacy and is
distinctly in the interests Of his Eastern
rivals.
Get a Lower Rate.
The rates allowed by the railroads on
account Of the encampment is a half
fare from All points east OF the Missis-
sippi and a two-third fare from all points
west Of the river. This means. Capt
Coney contends, that the Eastern dele
gates viii all 60 10 the encampment.
while hundreds Of soldiers from the West
VIII be prevented from making the trip
on account Of the discriminatory rates.
As Capt. Coney is banking or the West
chiefly for his support, it will readily
be seen. he says, that he is handicapped.
Another complaint made by Capt. Coney
is that travellers to the encampnent viii
be allowed but one stop-over-
Capt Coney. backed by the commander
of Kansas and Colorado. appealed 10 the
Interstate Commerce Commission for re-
lief, through Gen. John c. Black, past
commander-in-chief or the G. a. r, and
now a Civil Service Commissioner here
The first telegram from Coney to Black
read:
Kindly 60 TO the interstate Commerce Commission
and get scme stoI-orer privileges 10 Saratoga tiat
are Discriminatory given jamestown Exposition
General Black took up the matter with
the commission, and received word that
the commission had no power TO demand
stop-over privileges.
Along Comes Another.
Capt. Coney came back with another
telegram, which read:
Only one stoT-oyer at Niagara Falls allowed visit
ors 10 national encamrment at Saratoga We ask
for ana are entitled To- stopOTer privileges desired
within the time limit Of sixty days as given IN the
jamestown Exposition excursionists. We a1so H.
mand no discriminatory Tates west Of Chicago and
ST. Louis, now One-thiri more than east of those
points. Southwestern Passenger Association makes
no rates to 6. A. r. encampment, while granting
one rate 70 jamestown and return.
Gen. Black fred this telegram at the
commission. Secretary Noseley replied.
The railroads made the rates to Saratoga.
Capt. Coney claimed that it was dis
elimination for the railroads to charge
Saratoga excursionists two-thirds the reg
ular rate west Of Chicago and st. Louis.
and only one-half rate east of those
points. Cen Black fired this telegram
at the commission. Secretary Moselev
replied that the railroads have ALREADY
made their rates and conditions TO the
Saratoga encampment. and filed their
tariffs with the commission.
Control the Stop-Over.
They are now obliged to observe them
without variation until after the encamp-
ment is held. The roads absolutely con-
tf5f stop-over privileges.
This doesn't help Capt. Coney in GET
ting Western delegates TO the encamp-
ment who will vote for him for com
mandeT-i1-chief. II will enable the East
ern candidates to pack the encampment
with Eastern delegates.
In the meantime they are holding in
dignation meetings out in Kansas as n
protest against the plot to defeat the
States candidate for the place al the
head of the Grand Army of the Republic
Liner Encounters storm.
New York, Aug. 25-The French liner
La Touraine, in from Havre. ran into
heavy weather Tuesday. and rolled hea-