South Bend news-times. (South Bend, Ind.) 1913-1938, 1915-01-23
MORE ABOUT PASSENGER FARES.

MORE ABOUT PASSENGER FARES.
Despite a pamphlet handed us under
the apparent publication OF the Indi-
ana railroads we must confess a con
unued density Of mind that disables
Us from according with their view
with reference 10 a half-Cent per mile
increase in intra-state passenger fares.
The pamphlet on the whole is an in
teresting one 10 replies TO the obiec-
tions that have been raised TO such in
crease but il does not answer them.
Tie increase may be procurable from
the legislature but We are still from
Missouri with respect TO that increase
being justified.
In saying this we do not deny but
that the operating expenses. taxes and
interest paid by Indiana railroads last
year were $175.417.7O6. and at hat.
s12,227.S69 more than the gross in
come. given at S163.19O337 The in
formation is not contained in the PAM
phlet, however, as 20 why. provision
for the elimination Of this loss having
once been made by an increase OF
freight rates. it should again be elm
mated by an increase Of passenger
fares? It is on this point that we are
particularly dense. Even the extern
sive quotation from Louis d. Brandeis
in his statement before the Interstate
Commerce commission in the freight
rate cases. fails TO satisfy the point
True Mr.. Brandeis did say that the
increased cost of railway operation
was largely due to the public demand
upon the passenger department OF the
roads, for better cars. more modern
equipment. and safety appliances, to-
gether with the shorter hours of labor
more brakemen. etc, and an increased
wage. lie tried his best TO have the
losses of which the railroads COM
planned TO the commission. charged
up against the passenger service OF
the roads. but he was arguing TO keep
down freight rates, just al the time be-
ing. and not TO keep down passenger
rates Surely he did not anticipate
that II he lost in his fight against an
increase of freight rates, his argument
was 70 be used in favor Of higher pas
senger fares additional Maybe Bran
deis was right but if ne was the in
crease of freight rates should have
been withheld
At some points the plea OF the rail-
roads becomes well-night amusing. We
are told for instance that the Pullman
service. product of increased pros
perity. is a burden upon the roads
Very well. but why should the non
prosperous or more frugal. be taxed
one-hais cent a mile when he travels,
To remove the burden incident 10 a
class Of service that he never enjoys?
The man in the day-coach should not
he asked TO help maintain the Pull
man sleeper or the chair car Let
those who want these extra cOnvCn-
fences and fashionable display pay for
them In similar manner we are told
that the parcel post law has imposed
burdens upon the roads. overlooking
the mail trains and necessitating addi-
tional cars. as though that were some
thing 90 be charged up against intra.
state passengers in Indiana.
Ordinarily the federal government
would be expected to be responsible
for parcel post expenses. Perhaps We
are a little too nice in our exactions
on these points, but the man in the
day-coach. who has very little use. if
amy, for the parcel post. is in about
the same predicament with regard TO
that extra half-cent a mile, as is the
one who never saw the inside of a
Pullman. And then, i'm regard 10 the
reduction Of one-third OF the passen-
ger department income i'm Indiana,
when the rate was reduced from three
cents TO two. 10y the assembly of 1907;
"a point that rs shavingly doubtful
About the same time that this re-
duction was made. If we recall it
rightly. legislators. editors. et cetera,
were obliged 60 give up the. annual
passes. Here is an army OF 100 leg
tslative families. and heaven only
knows how many newspaper men. who
now pay over their good money when
they ride on the ears. and as a rule.
they are a people more or less
troubled We me wanderlust. espe-
cially during legislative sessions. We
doubt one-third reduction IN income.
therefore. on account of the law, and
not only that but it seems plausible
that enough more other paying pas
sengers should be riding. leased into
it by the lower rate. TO make up an
other slice OF that deficiency.
Accordingly as we see IL. the rail-
roads will have 10 come again: ard,
in order 10 convince with statement
that answers as well as replies.