Getting a free ride on SVRy and other RRs

I am finding a number of 'Trip Pass Requests' in the EOU SVRy archive materials. There are bundles of notes asking for a free pass for someone "Who is NOT prohibited by law from receiving free transportation". Can someone explain the background of these requests?
Here is a request for one of the Eccles children for a ride from Baker to Austin.

And here are 4 requests for David Eccles and other SVRy personnel for a variety of railroads (including a request for free toll calls from Pacific Telephone and Telegraph!).

From one pile of requests, David Eccles requested annual passes on the following lines in November of 1915:
American Express Co
OWRR&N
SP&S
Chicago St Paul & Omaha
CB&Q
AT&SF
Pennsylvania Lines
New York Central
Michigan Central
Oregon Short Line
Southern Pacific
Los Angeles & Salt Lake
Chicago Great Western
Chicago & Alton
St. Joseph & Grand Island
Tonopah & Tidewater
Tonopah & Goldfield
C&NW
Union Pacific
Western Pacific
Denver & Rio Grande
Northern Pacific
Rock Island Lines
CM & St. Paul