The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1883-03-13

Wetsell, OF the Vandalia; W. c. Hobbs, Of
the c., l., st. l.. &c c., aud Henry
Fraser, Of the Continental Line, who own
these transfer wagons, some thirteen or more,
to state that they have since made handsome
reductions in rates for transfer, and the rates
they now charge are said to be satisfactory to
all roads for which they make transfer, and in
several cases where injustice has been done
money has been refunded, and the owners of the
transfer show q disposition to act honoraDly
hereafter.
LOOKS sQUALLY.
war on west-bound passenger rates has been
opened in earnest at competing points of the
Pittsburg, Cincinnati & st. Louis and the Indi-
ana, Bloomington 81 Western east of Indiauapo-
lac. The l., B. & W. people claim to have seen
circular to agents, issued by E. A. Ford, instruct
ing them, in effect, to make rates that will Sc
cure business, consequently the l., b. u W. has
let the bars down with their agents, and the
| fight is beginning to assume an ugly nature.
The l., b. IL W. allege that the p, G. d st. l.. is
the aggressor, which would hardly seem possi-
BILE when the latter has so many advantages
over the l., b. & w. Passenger men who are in
favor OF maintaining good rates considerably
disturbed over the turn matters have taken, and
greatly fear that this is the beginning Of a gen
eral war on passenger rates. The Bee Line peo-
pie are still lockers on, but threaten to take a
hand unless halt is ordered by the gem
eral managers.
NEEDS STRENGTHENING AT THE ROOT.
Much credit Is due Mr.. Joseph Sanger, the able
and efficient grand secretary of the Yardmasters
/ Mutual Benefit Association, for the splendid
work accomplished this year. AT the present
date considerably over 200 new and valuable
members have been added to the rolls, and there
can be no doubt but the association will show
much larger increase than that of last year,
when the annual convention shall meet at Den
yer, Col, next June. The prospects of the asso-
citation Were never brighter than at the present
time. The Journal publishes this item clipped
from the "Ralroader," hoping that it may re-
vive the menibers of the Indianapolis division,
which is in sickly condition, into new life.
This association, which was organized in Indian
ap0s, should not suffer at the root, yet the
members have become delinquent aud neglect
full. There Is no money in their treasury. The
hall which was once carpeted and neatly fur
nlshed is now bare-desks, chairs, carpets, etc,
have disappeared, and matters generally are de-
mOrazed.
THE INSPECTION BUREAU IN OPERATION.
Notice was given In these columns some time
since that a bureau or inspection was to be
established at New York by the Trunk lines, the
dishonesty of shippers forcing the roads to thus
protect themselves. For instance, nuts and bolts
are third class, while hardware is second class.
Shippers would ship hardware as third class.
Musical instruments are shipped first class
drums four times the rate OF first class. Ship
pers would box the drums and ship them az
musical Instruments, at tirst-elass rates. and
thousand and one different methods were
resorted to to get around classhcatons. These
inspectors are now located at each depot and
examine packages, and where they are shipped
under the wrong classification reotify the mis-
TAKE or misrepreSen tallOn OF the shipper. That
there may be no irreguarity on the part OF in-
spectors, and that they should not become fami-
liar with shippers every few days they trans
ferred from one depot to another. The railroad
reporter OF the Journal yesterday shown
some letters from squealing shippers even at
indianapolis, which, were they published, wonld
show that the inspection bureau is getting in its
work quite successfully. 1t is now two weeks
since the inspectors were appointed, and they
have exposed the rascality of some shippers in
"a manner that is very creditable
EARNrNce
The Financial Chronicle of the 10th gives the
earnings of sixty roads for February, making
the total S17, 15l 602 against $16 $3.50, 76l in the
corresponding month 1882, which is an increase
this year of $514,s41. The Chronicle comments
follows the situation: Continued progress
still marks the course of railroad receipts, and
the exhibit for February will he deemed very
satisfactory, considering the adverse influences
that were at work a part of the month. Despite
the interruption of the traffic BY snow in the
the West and South, in spite also of the repress-
ing influence on general business In
Congress affecting many different interests, tho
record of the roads for the month gives an ag-
gregate somewhat greater than in the CORE
spending month of 1882. This result is directly
attributable to the large crop of cereals raised
last season in the West and Southwest, and of
cotton in the South, which continued during
February to come forward in large quantities.
One of the features of the returns IN past TINS
was the heavy increase in passenger receipts,
and though many roads again record gains in
this particular, it Is noticeable thar there are
some that show loss. 1t is believed that the
decreased activity compared with year ago in
many departments of trade made itself felt in
dlminution IN the volume of general and mis-
cellaneuus freight, but, If it did the large ton
served to conceal it, and the storms and Hoods
further prevented its becoming apparent.