The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1907-08-24
IT IS ON The WAY
Kansas Will Soon Have Two
Cent Passenger Fare.
Railroad Board Expected to
Make Order Soon.
OBEY GOVERNOR HOCH
Sugg estion Likely to Produce
Desired Effect.
Railroad Passenger Men Show
-. ing Unusual Interest.

Within 60 days, Kansas in all proba-
bility will have a two-cent a mile pas
senger fare over all railroads in the
state.
In compliance with Governor Hoch's
command, the board of railroad COM
| missioners will at once issue an order
to the railroads demanding that the
two-cent fare be put into operation.
The railroads, it is expected, will squirm
order of the board.
| This seems to be the programme
which has been outlined, and which the
| railroads have consented to accept
| the legislature. The. railroads are
afraid of a special session. They will
make almost any concessions to avoid
a special session. The temper of the
people is such that numerous laws reg
ulating railroads would probably be en-
acted in spite of the railroad lodge of
obstruction in the senate. Governor
Hoch'S threat to call a special session
is what has brought the railroad COM
panies to their knees.
An Apparent Resistance.
OF course it wouldn't do for the rail-
roads to make this surrender without
the appearance of opposition, on ac-
count of their pending litigation in 9TH
er states, and so the probability is that
the railroad commissioners will issue an
order" for the two-cent fare, and the
OF resistance, will obey the order.
That such negotiations are pending is
indicated by the fact that ]. M. Con-
nell, general passenger agent of the
Santa Fe, called at the office of the
railroad commissioners on Friday and
had a conference with E. c. Sinner,
secretary of the board, after which he
talked for some time with G. F. Graf
nell expressed a desire to confer with
the members of the board as soon as
possible.
When asked to make a statement
concerning the two-cent fare situation,
Mr.. Council said:
IT have nothing to say about the
matter. 1 have not received any in
formation from Chicago, 1 don't want
to be quoteasin the newspapers.
:. 1t is also known that N H. LOOMS,
of the Union Pacific. and NJ. A. Low of
the Rock Island, the master of railroad
destintes for .thstE S>gespective lines in
Friday morning at Mr.: Lows office, at
which Governor Hochs sensational let
ter was the subject of discussion.
The fact that Mr.. Grattan has re-
ESceived a reliable tip that the railroads
are willing to put in the fiat 2-cent a
mile rate If properly approached is
indicated by one paragraph of Mr..
Grattan's statement concerning the
situation. Mr.. Grattanhsays:
81 have felt all along that the rail-
2-cent rate in Kansas, and 1 still be-
lieve that the railroads can be in
duced without protracted litigation to
obey any reasonable order of the
board ordering 2-cent fare
Grattan Will Act.
Right in line with this plan of
campaign which seems to have been
agreed upon between the railroads,
the members of the board and Mr..
Grattan, it is announced by Mr.. Graf
tan that he will proceed to file a COM
plant with the board, and ask for
reduction in the present passenger
fare This is exactly what Mr.. Graf
tan said he did not want in his state
ment of August Is. At that time he
said:
"As the same question is now pend
ing in other. courts in which an early
decision is expected, and such de-
cisions will be rendered much earlier
than it would be possible to get a de-
cision in the courts of Kansas, 1 deem