The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1908-01-08
ERIE TO SLASH RATES.
To Make Five Dollar Reduction Be
tween New York and Kansas CITY.


Kansas City, Jan. SIS the first-class
passenger rate from Kansas City to
New York to be cut to s212O from
$3.50, as the second-class rate was cut
about three weeks ago from S2450 to
1920? That is the question that is at
present occupying the attention of
Kansas City railroad men, as it is oc-
cupying the attention of railroad men
in all cities west of Chicago.
The question involved finds it's origin
in the persistent report that the Erie
will put in a first-class rate of $12 be-
tween Chicago and New York, in a de-
termined effort to clear up the trouble
some conditions that have prevailed in
eastern territory for several years
Representatives of the Erie neither
affirm nor deny the report, but it has
been plainly intimated that something
is doing" which is interpreted as mean
ing that that road will take a decisive
slash at the present rates. So far, the
matter has been kept as much in the
dark as possible, probably because Erie
officials are trying to determine just
how far it is best to 60 1t is con-
few days they will come out in the open
and declare their tactics.
There is no question that the Erie
has got it's fighting clothes on said a
"a cut from SIT to S12 is a deep one,
but considering the attitude the road
took in making a second-class rate of
$40 from Chicago to New York in the
face of vigorous protests on the .rt
of competitors, it would not be surpris
ing if it should treat the first-class rate
in the same manner. If such action is
taken it will practically compel all
roads west of Chicago to make a like
reduction. The rate from Kansas City
to New York would be $21.20 instead
of the present rate of $685.
he ri ic n a
minds to, except insofar as it is re-
stricted by the interstate commerce
commission. 1t has pulled out of the
Central Passenger association and can
all kinds of protests In making the
SO second class rate it demonstrated
the mood it is in, but the issue In the
present instance is considerably more
serious than any that has yet come up.
The present fight is focused on the
payment of a differential to the Michi-
gan Central This has been a bone of
contention among eastern lines for
years, but the differential lines have not
been fighting over 1t for more than
year, since President Tuttle Of the Bos-
ton & Maine, in the capacity OF arbl-
traitor, selected by the conflicting par
ties, gave a decision, in the matter. He
awarded the Michigan Central differ
entail of $40 to New York, as COM
pared with the standard rate of $40.
charged by the Lake Shore and the
Pennsylvania, and SIS charged by the
differential lines from Chicago. But
this decision has not satisfied the Erie
nor some others Of the differential lines.
for they have seen that it has operated
against them in seeking business.
The Erie has been dissatisfied over
the differential awarded the Michigan
Central, but it's feeling of dissatisfac-
ton has been doubted by the report
that the Michigan Central PROPOSES to
put in a differential rate of SIS to New
York The plan which, 1t is said, the
Michigan Central will put into effect is
to put dn an SIS rate by way of the
west Shore and a $40 standard rate
by way of the New York Central into
New-York The Pennsylvania has a
differential rate of SIS by way of the
Panhandle route and $40 bv way of the
Fort Wayne route. The Pennsylvania
uses the same tracks east Of Pittsburg
for both routes.