Evening times-Republican. [volume] (Marshalltown, Iowa) 1890-1923, 1907-07-11
TERMS:
NO RATES TO THE STATE FAIR.

1t Is said to have been unofficially
announced by leading railroad men
that special rates will be refused to
| the state fair management and that
| the full rate will be charged on all
tickets issued during the next three
months In Iowa. This means that
visitors to the state fair will have
| to pay full fare both ways. Heretofore
the roads have sill made extremely low
rates and have, of course, protited by
| the Increased traffic.
The difference between the legal
fare of 2 cents a. mile and special
rate OF l 1-3 cents is not great enough
to cause serious disfnay. 1t means
that the passenger living 100 miles
from Des Moines must pay about S1.25
more for his trip than he did last year.
1t also means that he will insist on
different accommodations and that he
will demand. with justice, Of the rail-
road commission that he be furnished
some part at least OF what no pays
for
Heretofore when the travelling public
has been crowded like hogs into
coaches little cleaner than stock cars
to stand and sweter inside and hang
upon the platforms at imminent dan
ger to life and limb. 1t has consoled
itself with the reflection that It was
getting a cheap ride. When thou
sand people have waited half the night
in the depots and along the curbs for
an opportunity to ride home In the
reeking and ,lrlsanitary cars that the
company furnished when 1t got good
and ready, they have taken 1t all as
part OF the penalty for going on an
excursion" A change will occur In
the tenor Of their dream when they
have paid legal fare and feel that
they have the right to demand decent
service And no doubt our effective
and watchful railroad commission will
see that they get 1t or that the rail-
roads get what they will have coming
il they fail to deliver what they sell
when they charge full legal fare.
1t will be worth ain extra dollar or
two to ride tc, and from Des Moines
during fair week without feeling like
the foundation, OF human pyramid.
Few men who have writhed under
the weight OF perspirtng humanity dis
tributed upon every square inch of their
persons from that Of the fat woman
standing on their feet to the beery
breathed and garlicked dago leaning
on their shoulders would not have sur
rendered their purses at a prospect OF
relief Any tired and nervous woman
who has dragged sleepy, cross and
tired children thru the mob at the
depot to find that she must stand and
hold a child or two,to save them from
suffocation in the packed aisles Of a
coach swimming in tobacco Juice,
would have traded every cent she had
for the sight of home. The, transpor-
tation service to the state fair has
been an outrage on health, decency
and public service.
The railroads should be met half
way. There is no reason or occasion
for any gush Of maudlin sympathy for
the poor, abused railroads. such as has
come from certain portion of the
press in Iowa since the regulation,
state and national, Of corporations be-
gam This is a business matter and
there appears no history to indicate
that the railroads are not able to care
for themselves-and then some. 1t
would be we'll If the commission were
to take time by the forelock and notify
the roads that they must furnish the
service they sell.
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