The National tribune., 1909-02-11
RATES TO THE ENcAMpMENT.

i RATES TO THE ENCAMPMENI.
The question of rates to the Nationa
Encaupment at Salt Lake City is still
being actively discussed by the agents
of the various roads Heretofore the
railroads west of the Mississippi have
usually made the most trouble and re-
fused to agree in the liberal terms Of
fered by the other roads. The present
negotiations started with the represen-
tatives of the Santa Fe, Rock Island
Chicago, Milwaukee & St Paul and the
Denver & Rio Grande saying that they
would agree to any rates named by the
Hartman roads. AT first the managers
of the Hartman roads issued state
] ments to the effect that a one7cent rate
was out of the question. Now Mr.. j.
c. Stubbs. the Traffic Manager of the
Hartman lines. says that he will agree
to any rate proposed by the Western
Passenger Association, providing that
| the rate is made not less than one cent.
He also says that he believes the rate
| from Chicago to Salt Lake City should
be S39 for the round trip, instead of $4S
| lower than the regular excursion rates.
In letter to AdJt-Gen. Frank D. Cole
Mr.. Stubbs says:
Railroad companies are very much
concerned under the present adminis-
tration of the law, and public opinion,
respecting the proper treatment of eX-
cursions of this character. The effect
of the precedent established by each
case must be carefully considered. and
where there are so many interests in
viewed. it is difficult to hit upon any
rate plan which is satisfactory to all
or which will not in some measure
provoke reprisal. My own view of the
case is that the meetings of the G. A.
r. present peculiar features that put
them in class which is distinct and
separate from other excursions. They
are patriotic. do much to promote the
love of country and the spirit of self
sacrifice in the individual citizen when
the country needs his military service.
For the most part the members of the
G.. a. Il. are poor. The meetings are
wholly without any business feature or
consideration. Therefore, the carriers
may fairly consider the promotion of
these meetings and in so doing ignore
the consideration Of reasonable profit |
for their service that should and must
control the charge for that service to
other bodies of citizens assembling for
business or even social objects. Conse- |
quently the lines in the Union Pacific |
System are, and have been from the |
beginning, willing to offer special rates
for the promotion of the proposed |
meeting at Salt Lake City, just as they |
would be were the meeting held at any |
other city. whether that city were
served by their lines or by the lines of
competitors or connections
Mr.. Stubs then goes on to say that
since the greatest proportion of the
business must originate off the Harri-
man lines, that if his road makes this
rate it should be met by a correspond
Ing rate from the other lines bringing
the business to the Union Pacific He
says:
According to past experience, the
largest number of delegates to this
Grand Army meeting will originate at
and start from points more or less re-
mote from the lines of the Union Pa
cific Railroad Considerably more than
half viii originate at and start from
points east of the Missouri River, the
eastern terminus of the Union Pacific
Railroad. Therefore. it seems proper.
as it has in large measure been the
custom. that the rates to be charged
should be taken up with the initial
and by them determined by
and suggestion with the
lines west of the Missouri River.
with the limitations that the rate
'hail not be less than one cent per mile
'or its service, the Union Pacific is
willing to join its connections in any
ate that they are willing to adopt for
his proposed meeting of the Grand
Army"
This puts it square!y up to the other
-oads to meet the Union Pacifie's rate
IF one cent mile, and not try to hog"
he profits of the business by taking
advantage of the Union Pacific's low
ate to add to their own profits. 1t
must be said in favor of the Manager
If the great Hartman lines that he
las shown a commerdabfe spirit in the
regulations. Any manager who refuses
o accede to these reasonable terms
hould be made known and receive
,roper criticism for his lack of proper !
of the fitness of the situa- '
ion.