The San Francisco call., 1909-10-08
Gossip of Railwaymen

n tariff circular recently issued by
! the interstate commerce commission
+, is clause referring to passenger
rates in effect on roads doing an inter
national business between the United
States and Canada or Mexico, and which
provides that in fling these rates the
part of the through fare accruing to
the American road must be specifically
shown
| This regulation has been a source of
worriment to the railroads. owing to
| the task involved and the great ex-
pense entailed by its literal application.
! The commission was, therefore, asked
| If it would not be satisfied if a general
| statement were made, giving a basis
upon which the fares are divided.
| On account of the absence of Com
missioner Clark, the question can not
be officially decided until his return
but at the same time assurance has
| been given that If tourist tariffs are
| filed embracing international fares for
| the ensuing season, without showing
but IL the commission decides later that
the division must be furnished, the
roads may have the option of fling
| them or caneeling the rate. This will
apply also to one way fares. and all
/ other tariffs covering rates between
| the United States and Canada or Mexi-
CO. Representatives of the roads in
terested have, therefore, decided to
continue the present method of quoting
! fares and for the present time will
| be relieved of the burden they would
have been obliged to assume if the
commission had insisted upon strict
compliance with the regulations stated.
! Another interesting matter for the
| traffic officers of railroads to ponder
over Is the ruling of the commission
| that single traffic official may be le-
/ gally more than one person. In other
words, each and every carrier, whether
represented by one or more persons in
| the capacity of traffic officials, must be
provided with copies of all joint traffic
! publications. AS the same official often
represents more than one road, the
/ question arose whether more than one
! copy of the tariff must. be sent to him.
| The commission has said that:
s1t is unable to see how the fact that
| more than one carrier may have the
same traffic officer in any way affects
| the obligation of agent or carrier to
! send copy to such individual as the
whom he represents
| About November 1 the Oregon Short
Line will begin using stereopticon in
giving instructions to its employees in
| the rules of operation. A photographer
| has taken pictures of SO views along
| the line most of them being of block
| signals in different positions. which will
be reproduced. 1t has long been the
practice of this road to have instruc-
| tions given to employees by conduc-
| tor. locomotive engineer and a chief
| train dispatcher, but this will be the
| first time that a stereopticon has been
used.
| The executive committee of the West
| ern passenger association has extended
| the time during which reduced rates
| for home seekers will appIy to include
| the months of November and Decem-
| ber instead of withdrawing them at
the end of the present month. The
question Of reducing the number of
| points at which stopover privilege is
granted was considered, but no action
| taken.
p. X. Gordon, passenger agent of the
Washington Sunset route, left wednes-
| geles.
Lava gravel from the fields eight
miles from Bend, Ore, heretofore con-
| sidered useless. is to be used for bal
last on the Hartman lines up the
Deschutes river. No blasting will be
necessary. as it can be scooped up by
a steam shovel and loaded on combina-
! tion cars.
w A. Schmidt. general western
a gent of the Missouri Pacific, arrived in
~ ait xrac CT q 10 an, f<.frxs
ments for the offices of his road while
here, as the Missouri Pacific and Dem
yer and Rio Grande Offices are to be
separated.
H. d. Carter, assistant freight traffic
manager of the New York Central
lines. was in the city yesterday on his
way to Los Angeles.