The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1909-01-23
RAIL RATES CUT.
Passenger Special Rates Reduc-
ed to a Cent a Mile.
Roads Backing Down From the
Two Cent Minimum.
TO MAKE MORE MONEY
This Solution Is Offered for the
Present Reductions.
Probably Marks Beginning Of
Old Excursion Rates.

To Kansas City and return for a cent
a mile is a rate now on from Topeka
to that point, a round trip rate. From
other points to Kansas City from all
directions a rate of a cent a mile for
the round trip is quoted. Even far away
Chicago is sending passengers to Kan
sas City at this rate. The reason is
the annual convention of the South
west Lum bermen which is now in ses-
sion. And the railroads announce that
these rates are open to the public and
they are striving to secure all the traf-
f1c possible under this rate. Details
umns giving limits on tickets and other
points.
| This is generally considered a back
| down on the part of the railroads.
When the two cent rate was first an
nounced, the railroads claimed that 1t
was almost confscatory and that 1t
would have to be the minimum rate
for all time. The excursion rates it was
announced would be eliminated and
nothing would go lower than two cents
mile-except in cases of competitive
points, where the short line mileage
would determine the rate:
The reason for this sudden change of
heart on the part of the western rail-
roads is unknown.
One passenger official stated this
morning, that it was too long a story
to tell, and that the events leading
up to it were complex, probably too
much so for the public to readily I'M
derStand.
An official on another road stated
that it was because the railroads need
/ ed the money, and that they thought
| the increase in the volume of business
would more than offset the reduction
| in the round trip rate, and would show
| up in larger proportion in the column
| of net earnings.
| Be the cause whatever if NAV there
/ is now a round trip rate of $685. the
actual mileage rate of a cent a mile,
| between Topeka and Kansas City. The
rate is good on the trip to Kansas City
until next Thursday, and the return
| limit is good until February 1. Tomor-
row the Topeka people can take their
old time run down to Kansas City and
spend day enjoying the sights of the
prosperous village at the KawS mouth.
| This is practically as low as the former
! Sunday excursion rate of $1.25 for the
| round trip.
Other low rates have been announced
during the past week or two. About
ten days ago the Union Pacific put in
effect cent mile rate to Kansas
City and return for the Implement
Dealers association. None of the other
roads came through with this rate.
Early in the week there was a reduced
round trip rate being $26.S0. This was
for big stock show. Colonists rates
| to the northwest and southwest are be-
! ing lowered. Rates from Topeka to
Chicago are heavily cut.
| This probably marks the beginning of
the old excursion rates on the part of
the railroads. During the coming sum-
mer, rates to various points will un-
doubtedly be lower than before, al
though passenger officials are reticent
on this point. In all likelihood there
will be the old rates on for Sunday ex-
Icursions to Kansas City, Wichita, Leav-