The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1914-04-14
ROADS under FIRE
Railways SHOWED Under with
New Rate Tariffs In Kansas.
Oflces In Topeka Prepare for
Greatest Change IN History.
EVERY CITY N STATE AFFECTED
Massive List Of Increases and
Decreases ON All Lines.
Tariffs May Go Into Effect on
the First of May.
EVERY CITY N STATE AFFECTED

The railway lines with headquarters
in Topeka. az well an all other carriers
in the state. are preparing tariffs for
the largest wholesale reduction and in
crease OF passenger fares in Kansas
since the event Of the 2-cent law sew
eraf years ago. If the public utilities
commission agrees. the Kansas rail-
roads will increase or decrease rates
from practically every city, town. viii
lage and hamlet In the state. The plan
is to wipe out to q great extent the
long and short haul special rates and
substitute a straight fare Of two cents
mile between all points within the
state line.
The new rates undoubtedly will at
feet every passenger that travels with
in the state Of Kansas after May 1.
Between the larger commercial CEN
tiers in the state the long and short
haul existing fares In all probah ility
will stand. Local rates, however, will
be changed and station agents and
ticket sellers will be overwhelmed with
new figures.
No estimate has been made by the
Topeka railway onicials concerning the
probability Of a gain or loss in revenue
The state officials have no figures on
hand on which to base an estimate Of
this kind. It is the general belief
among rate men outside the railway
offices that the change will add to the
passenger revenues-but not to any
wealth-procuring extent.
Long and Short Haul Trouble.
Under the existing rates, the railways
met each others rates. For instance.
IL the Santa Fe operated a line 100 miles
long between station "A and station b,
the rates would be 2 cents mile or
e. If the Rock Island operated be-
tween A and B but with q roundabout
line 1cS miles in 1argfk he mo RI "a,
would apply and the towns between
A and B on the Rock Island would
receive a corresponding reduction on a
sliding scale basis.
Under the plan Of the new tariff 2
cents a mile will be charged. Only in
ly will the long and short haul custom
prevail. In no event will the railroads
charge more than cents a mile.
The rate from Topeka to Kansas
City under the newly prepared tariff
will be $1.39 instead of $1.35. This il
quence out of the capital city. The
increases and reductions will about
ia according to preliminary figures
wh.4.l are on file now with the utilities
commission. - -f'S g sTiThi = : = fsss !
In the railway offices in Topeka a
large amount Of time has been spent
in preparing these tariffs. The COM
mission has ordered a compilation of
the increases and decreases and many
clerks are working day and night pre-
pairing these figures.
The plan, when placed in operation,
will simplify rate making and quoting
in Kansas. Fares can be charged ac-
cording to the mileage and under the
provisions OF. the 2-cent rule. It will
mean that the railroads operating
short lines between two cities will re-
ceive the patronage as the patron will
buy a ticket over the line that charges
less-unless, of course. service and ac-
commodations, differ greatly.
Unless a change is ordered, the new
tariffs will go into effect May 1.