The Telegraph-courier. [volume] (Kenosha, Wis.) 1888-1946, 1908-02-20
Railways After Short Trial Of Two
Cent Fare Law Will Not Seek
To Have 1t AnnuIIed
EFFECT IN KEN0SHA is SMALL
No Falling Off in the Sale of the Com
mutation Tickets Kenosha PEG
pie Seeking to Save Pennies
in Railway Fares

The two cent fare law has been IN
operation in Wisconsin for just six
months and if the Railway Companies
now have any claims to make against
the state on account Of the action of
the law under their agreement with the
State Railroad commission they can
commence work at once. At the time
the law went into effect the Railway
Companies stated to the members of
the commission that they wol d give
the law thorough test.
The Western Passenger Association S
reports show that Notwithstanding the
reduction in fares and the financial
stringency, the railway companies have
so curtailed all expenses in connection
with the operation Of the road that
there has been no loss. 1t is reported
locally that the business Of the company
has not shown any marked increase on
account of the change in the rate Of fare
but that in some parts of the state the
increase has been considerable It is
certain however that all excursion rates
spring and summer seasons.
The Kenosha station is poor place
to test the operation Of the law as near
~ all Of the travelling out Of Kenosha
is done on Communication tickets. It was
though that the reduction in fare would
greatly reduce the number Of communal
ton tickets sold, but it is evident that
Kenosha people are looking after the
pennies for it is said that the sale Of
Communication tickets has been just as
large this year as in former years.
There is complaint in some quarters
and even an intimation that the matter
may go into the courts. A careful can
vass of men at the capitol, who are in
close touch with the operation of the
railroads, reveals the fact that not one
has been told that any suits will be
started. Nearly all admit, however,
they have heard from other sources
there may be suits started, but they be-
lieve the rumors to be baseless.
The railroad attorneys, who were
before the railroad commission recently
are non-committal on the subject. IF
suit were started it would only be on
the ground that the earnings had de-
creased month by month, as compared
to last year, and for the service, the
roads are not earning a proper amount.
The financial stringency, which ex-
| listed over the country during the last
three months Of 1907, has had a decid-
ed effect upon railroad travel. Rail
road men testifying before the commits
sion three weeks ago, said there had
been a falling off in receipts Of from 20
| to 80 per cent. Trains have been taken
| off in some instances. Should the rail
roads take the matter into the courts
| they would aim to show that under the
two-cent fare law, if continued indef-
nitely, they will be compelled either to
materially reduce the number of pas
senger trains operated; to cut down
present expenses in equipment, which
are very heavy, or to limit the number
of trains.
It is said that the passenger earnings
are only from IS to 20 per cent of the
entire earnings Of the average road.
This is about the relative percentage
on the Northwestern and Wisconsin
Central lines. The balance Of 80 per
cent Of the earnings comes from the
| freight and express business.