Ottumwa tri-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1903-1916, 1908-01-18
COLON|STS TO
Get Low Rates
THE TRANsCoNTINENTAL LINES
AGREE AGAIN TO REDUCED
FARE.
MARCH & TO APRIL 20
Meeting in Chicago Results in This
OBSERVATION-DISCLOSURES to
Confer With ROADS on Tele-
graphers' Hours.

SHlCagO,. Jan. lb.-The financial de-
preston in Wall street and other
money centers has induced the trans.
continental railroads to offer colonlsts'
rates again this spring. The an
nouncement was, made yesterday that
the necessary tariffs would be filed
soon and be effective from March 1 to
April 20.
There was strong attempt in both
the transcontinental and the western
passenger associations to eliminate
these rates this year. Several Of the
lines refused to make such an agree
men and the proposition fell through.
The Hartman lines, Santa Fe, and
the Rock Island were the leaders in
this opposition, and since they have
announced that the rates will be put
In, all the other roads will have to t1le
similar tariffs.
1t is expected that the coming year
will be a record breaker in both the
colonist and home seeker business.
The past records show that in periods
of financial depression the railroads
tapping regions where cheap land is
still found do a thriving business.
Expect Many to Go West.
"The old adage, that it's an i'll
wind which blows no good is aptly
illustrated in the western land bust.
ness" said a traffic official of the
Hartman lines yesterday. Gwen If
the backbone of the panic is broken
there is bound to be period of de-
preston, as 1t is a presidential year,
and the men who have few thousand
or few hundred dollars even, will
look to land as a good investment.
The west is filling up rapidly, and
each satisfied settlers attracts one, or
two more. Moreover. irrigation has
shown that the western land is ex-
tremely fertile"
To prove that unsettled financi
conditions prove beneficial to the land
agent. figures We're produced showing
that in 1908, which was slack bust
ness year, the Southern Pacific hand
led 93,547 passengers on colonists'
rates. Last year the same road han
died 65,201 passengers on the same
rates. These colonists rates are,
perhaps, the best Indication of the
number of actual settlers, as they are
second class tickets and good for but
one way. The homeseeker rates, on
the other hand, are good for first
class tickets and for round trips only
There will be a slight increase in
colonists' rates this year. The maxi
mum from Chicago will be $38, as
against $33 last year, and $49.20 for
the full first class one way fare.
Will Consider photographers, Hours.
It developed yesterday that the con.
ference between President Roosevelt
and the vice presidents in charge. OF
operation on several of the western
lines, which has been set for Jan. ~
has to do with the nine hour railroad
telegrapher law. This law takes eff.
feet March l. and provides that after
that date nine hours shall constitute
a days work for a railroad telegra.
pher. Since it is Impossible to divide
equally the twenty-four hours in the
day by nine the operation of the law
will be to restrict the working day of
telegraphers to eight hours. The
operating officials claim it will be i'm.
possible to comply with the law at
this time, and if they are compelled
to put in inexperienced telegraphers
the result may be disastrous to train
service.
Railroads Defend Freight Rates.
The railroads in the Transconti.
mental Freight association are prepar.
ing to defend their action in demand
ing a 20 per cent increase in the
freight rates when the shipper will
not realease them from claims for
damages to goods while in transit
Shippers on the Pacific coast have an.
nounced their intention of contesting
the rule, which they declare is in eff
feet fat increase of 20 per cent in
the freight rates. The railroads con.
tend the 20 per cent additional is to
cover insurance.