The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1908-07-24
Will Make Reductions In Kansas
and Elsewhere.
CUT FOR STATE FAIRS.
One and a Half Fare Will Re
Charged.
Other Lines Are Expected to
Follow Suit.

At last the bubble has burst. ana
the railroads in the central west seem
likely to make low rates for special oc-
casions from now on. The air tight
agreement which has been adhered to
by the railroads since the inauguration
OF the two cent rates in the central
western states. has been slightly punc-
tured and lower rates seem assured
Inc first announcement of lower
rates emanated from the general offices
Oh the Chicago Great Western In Chi
cago. Official announcement was made
by this road yesterday to the effect that
reduced rates would be made for state
Ialrs in the states which are touched
by their lines, Illinois, Iowa, Minnesota
Nebraska and Missouri. In the formal
announcement which was given to the
Associated Press yesterday the reduc-
ed rate was not quoted
The morning the following annouce-
ment was wired all over the Rock Is
land system: THE executive commit
tee of the Western Passenger associa-
ton has agreed to our using one and
one-half fares for state fairs" This
VIII apply to all the states in the two
cent fare" territory touched by the
Rock Island system. Just when they
Will be in effect is not made clear in
the telegram but will in all probability
be effective by the time the state fair
season arrives.
The Santa Fe, it is understood, will
| make similar announcement within
| few hours. j. M. Connell, general
passenger agent of the Santa Fe, said
this morning: THE proposition to offer
lower rates for state fairs has been
under consideration for some time and
will in all probability be a general rate
adopted by all the roads for the terri
tory which they touch. / am expect
| ing to receive authority to make the
announcement for the Santa Fe at any
| time.
Another infraction of the strict two
| cent rate is the reduced rates which
will be granted to merchants who wish
| to attend the merchants meetings
which are to be held in Kansas City,
| Chicago, st. Louis and New York. The
proposition to lower these rates has
/ been up before the Western Passenger
association for several days but as yet
I no definite action has been taken. The
I Rock Island, however, threatens to act
of the other roads in IA
vor OF the merchants, should the asso-
! citation refuse to lower the rates.
In regard to the Rock Islands posi-
! ton, John Sebastian, general passenger
agent of the Rock Island, has made the
| following statement: ''The position of
our lines with reference to the 2-cent
rate has been most conservative and
| heartily in support of it's maintenance
as a minimum rate east of the Missouri
| river on all business. 1t seems impos-
| sible to make this plan effective, and
we feel under the circumstances that
| the merchants are entitled to as cheap
rates as have been made for anyone
| else. The Shriners secured a rate of 1 II
cents to ST. Paul, the Modern Wood
| men a similar rate to Peoria, colonist
| rates to the coast are on a basis Of a
| little more than 1 cent a mile, and 9TH
| er rates have been made which are
lower than the 2-cent basis.''
The desire of the western roads to
| maintain the low made 2-cent rate as
a minimum was due to the arguments
! made against these laws, to the effect
that the roads could not make a profit
out of the business. 1t appears, how
| ever, both east and west of Chicago,
| that whatever the legal rate for ordi-
nary business may be, the railroads
cannot get away from the principle OF
making a cheaper rate for a special
! and concentrated movement.