The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1907-10-04
RAILROAD NEWS.
Business In Nebraska Increases:
Under Two Cent Rate.
Union Pacific Said to Be Reap
ing Big Returns.
WORK BEING RENEWED
Projects Abandoned Following
Fare Reduction Rushed Now.
Other Items Of Interest to
Railway People.
WORK BEING RENEWED

Contradictory statements in regard to
the effects of the two-cent fare law
where it is being enforced are being
sent out.
A dispatch from Omaha says that
after six months trial of the law in
Nebraska the railroads are making more
money than ever before in their history.
But another dispatch from st. Louis,
sent out the same day as the one from
Omaha, says that according to COM
piled statements by the officials of VAR
ious railroads in Missouri, operation of
| he two-cent fare law has cost Missouri
roads $1,500,000 during the last three
months. The law became effective in
Missouri June II and by an agreement
with Attorney General Hadley the rail-
roads decided to reduce their fares and
test the law until October 1. 1t was an-
nounced today that the trunk lines have
Joined in an agreement to fight further
enforcement of the law.
The dispatch from Omaha says that
the Union Pacific finds that its local
trains are so crowded with passengers
as to render it necessary to accept local
tickets on its big through Pacific coast
trains, and even the Los Angeles limit
ed has just been ordered to take passeu-
gers between different stations in Me-
hraska, simply to help out business I'M
til additional equipment can be pro-
vided.
Other optimistic statements contained
in the Omaha dispatch are given below.
When the two cent fare law was pass
ed the Union Pacific ceased work on
half dozen big cut-offs. Since then
work has been resumed on every one of
these projects and double tracking be-
tween Omaha and Ogden is going
forward as fast as thousands of work
men can push it.
The Burlington is also reaping a big
harvest. With almost every train on
fh0 1fr,>
or three sections and with passengers
standing in the aisles, it was easy for
that road to declare an extra six per
cent dividend last week.
The Northwestern has added several
new trains to northern Nebraska and
into South Dakota and Wyoming, and
the Rock Island is running all the trains
its single track can accommodate.
Determined to show two cent fares
up to the worst advantage and to prove
that the railroads are losing money at
that rate. the Union Pacific on Septem-
Der 1 put largo force of clerks at work
preparing comparative statement
showing the passenger revenues under
past and present schedules. After the
work had been in progress about week
a halt was called0and the task abardon-l
ed. 1t has leaked out that the showing
was so favorable to the two cent fare
and receipts we're s., much heavier now
than during the same period last year.
A pass is now unusual Everybody
rides on paid tickets except the actual
employees Of the railroads. Last year
western railroads issued statements.
showing that the average fare was paid
for at the rate of even less than two
cents a mile. This included reduc I'd
rates Of all kinds, passes figured at fun
value, and in fact every rate at which
a passenger rode. Under the new law
every passenger pays full two cents for
each mile.
A curious thing is happeninp az the
result of the antipass, antirebate laws.
The small railroads are being forced out
OF the through traffic business, leaving.
this class entirely to the larger roads.
The small and weak roads must content
themselves with local business and an
occasional through passenger.
The weak roads do not dare cut rates
in order to get their share of business.
The stronger roads can meet the cut
and go below any cut the weaker road