The Kennewick courier. [volume] (Kennewick, Wash.) 1905-1914, 1907-02-01
For Two-Cent Fare
Gov. Cummins, Of Iowa, Proposes
Lower Rates in that State.

iowa declares for law making 2
~ is a mile the legal rate ON rail-
rosds in that state. The following
is his message on that point.
In my message delivered to the
rhirty.6rst General Assembly,
had the honor to recommend the
!. p.s,. &c of law that would require
railroad conpani. s to ''sell milase
books coed for 1000 miles and up
ward. at q fat rate of two cents per
mile. good until used;;" and I said
in that connection "if purchased by
The head of the family, there is no
reason why it shold not be used by
any member ct the family" and
again. "The man who travels little
isat present at too great a disad-
vantage as compared with the man
who travels much.
A bill embodying this recommen-
da.ion past the House of Repre-
t,liyes, but in the committee of the
Senate, counsel for the railway con-
tended that it was unconstitutional,
because it authorized discrimina-
tion. The argument seemed to be
convincing. and allho l do not cou-
cur in the conclusion, feel im-
PEELED to lay aside the remedy hen
Awoposed. 1t must be assumed,
therefore, that if those who travel
little are 10 be relieved of the unjus,
burden which they now bear, the
relief must come thru a general re-
duction of all passenger fares.
There is much reason to believe
that. in the Western country at
least, passenger traffic at the pres
ent rate is less profitable than
freight tisfic at the present rates.
The representatives of the railway
companies. during the last session,
iasl,ted that the average actual
rate paid by passengers in Iowa
was not more than two cents a mile
some Of the roads showing a frac-
lion higher and some a tract on
lower than two cents. In making
this computation arbitrary division
otcertain large expenses was as
sumed, and as l undertand it, free
transportation was not included
This coalition has been broug It
about by the railroads tn mselves,
lhru mileage books, creden iAls,
and other reduced rates to privileg
q classes When it is remembered
snat vast majority of those who
travel great deal pay but cents
amile, and that the travel of all
those OF our people who pay three
cents per mile is necessary to bring
tue average up to two cents pr
m''e, the extent of travel " hich
pays less than two cents per mile
assumes tremendous proportions.
1iant'ng, for the moment, that it
would be unfair to reduce the rev.
sooe ffom passenger service a siug'e
penny, it is still manifest that the
."astment is hopelessly wrong
:" cos's the railway company just
Is much to Carry passenger who
aas purchased 2ooo-m;le boox,
pef m'le' as it does to carry a pas
'eoser who has bought a single
seket Tor Ioo miles: indeed | thiuk
ue former costs little more, for
= use OF the mileage book entails
"o'e expense in tie maintenance
% extenr've bureaus for dentifica-
''0n t.sudi ing and reb:t'n. tfan
>"e SAFE OF tickets at stations. The
advantage derived by the rail-.
way company is the interest upon
.ae payment in advance, and this
u0ss not warrant any appreciable
tednction in the rate.
1t the practice of making lox
a'es tor conventions. excursions,
ee'ngs of associations AID the
'ke' is unpro6table, the railway
"pan'es can easily abolish it.
"y part, l can see no justice in
e custom which comp, Is the
"er and his family, or The mer
@"' and his family, as they go
=" place to place, either for pleas
's 0f Tor business, to pay part Of