The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1883-02-02

pie, President Phillips, when on his first trip
West, didn't discharge all the railroad help, but
gave the men to understand that there was n
past, so far as he and they were concerned, and
that every one should have a chance TO prove
his worth. He has taken energetic measures TO
put the motive power OF the road upon work
Ing basis and is about negotiating for the lease
OF fifteen new locomotives, now very much
needed In a wOrd, the new president mas gone
to work like an experienced railroad man, and is
sowing seed which must bear fruit in Us season
QUITE A SURPRISE
The announ cement that Messrs w. l. Scott,
A j. Cassett, late vicepresident of the Pennsyl-
vanla railroad; Peter Geddes, one of the di-
rectors of tn c., B. & @, and L. H Meyer, di-
rector of the Pittsburg & Fort Wayne.
had been elected directors OF the
Denver j. Rio Grande, and that L. H.
Meyer was also elected first ioe-presiden t.,
Is creating considerable talk in higher railroad
circles. The associations of the new directors
are assumed to indicate closer business connec
Quincy and the Pennsylvania roads. Mr. Cas-
sett, who is in Europe, Is expected Rome in
April, and agGressive steps with the d. & r. G.
may be looked for when these several old rail-
readers pat their heads together.
WILL ISSUE FEWER PASSES.
The general manager of one OF the Indianapo-
lis systems of roads yesterday remarked that
about one-fourth of the male population which
travelled over his road last year were carried on
passes, and that this year he pro-
]
eighth, and in 1884 to one-sixteenth. If be was
then their general manager. His company WAS
most annoyed by merchants, who were con-
stantly asking favOrs OF tins character, some OF
whom did not ship enough freight over their line
| III year to yield revenue equal to the pay
ment of pass 800 miles Newspaper men, as
we'll, were great pass-beggers--he exceptin g
those on prominent daily papers; but men, If
they had ever been connected with newspaper,
no matter how remote from their lines, seemed
to be OF the opinion that they were entitled to
passes. There were parties who were entitled to
them in such cases than he, bnt this wholesale is
| suing of passes he had determined to stop on
| their lines
WANT PRESIDENT SLOAN IN THE POOL.
The presidents of the trunk lines have finally
come to the belief that there is something in this
talk that the Delaware, Laekawanna & Western,
| which has recently opened it's extension to Buff
fal0 for business, is cutting rates. and they have
authorized Commiss Toner Fink to arrange with
President Sloan for the admission of the Laeka-
| wanna into the trunk-ne pool whenever that
| company desires TO enter the pool The authority
| is given for the purpose OF facilitating union
with the new line without recourse to a special
| meeting of the committee of presidents. There
Is little doubt that the pool lines would rest in
| better security were the LaekawanBa TO adopt
the trunk line agreements. II is emPhat ioally
denied that the cuts charged against the new
line have seriously disturbed the schedule rates
OF the pool lines. But the position of the Lacka-
wanna forms disturbing element, which, il IS
| feared, may work injury if the road receives a
warm support from the Grand Trunk OF Can
ada. The Grand Trunk, while declining to en-
ter the trunk line pool, has Professed to abide
ny the rates, freight and passenger, established
by the pool Nevertheless, 1t is accused of irreg-
| ular1tles IN rates, to greater or less extent,
most OF the tlIne ana especially since the traffic
| arrangements were made between it and the
Laokawanna IL has been an object of increased
Jealous Watching on the part OF its American
rivals.
THE PRESENT RATES SATISFACTORY.
railroad official, who1s highly respected by
shippers for his "Reminiscences, yesterday, In
speaking of the disposition of legislatures to
NEEDLE with rate matters, remarked that he
never before in twenty years railroad expert
enee had known shippers, especially in this
State, better satisfied with both local and through
rates than at the present time, and he thought
| the more legislatures tempered with rates the
worse it was for the shippers. Doubtless rates
| between some local points were so high as to be
| unjust to shippers, but between majority of
local points the rates were placed on a very fair
basis, while the roads were as well satisfied
| With present rates they were not deriving large
revenues therefrom. and any attempt now to
regulate rates would only disturb the harmony
now existing between the roads and shippers
The "hobby" of some legislatures, he said, was
| to make local and through rates the same per OO
| pounds per mile carried. Any reasonable man
must say this would be injustice TO the roads,
and he thought that any attempt to equalize
| rates after that manner would be runous TO the
railroad interests OF this country. He had Just
returned from Mnnesots where the granger
element had on the war paint. Seven railroad
| bills have been introduced IN the Legislature
| this season, tive of which attempted to regulate
| freight and passenger charges, and prescribe ex
act schedules of rates adjusted to haulages OF
| greater or less length. The average freight
| rates per mile recommended by these bills is
| about one-half of the present average freight
| rate The bills provide penalties tor the evasion
or disregard of the sections fixing regular freight
rates, in one case of 81 900 for each Offense
The bills also contain number OF miscellaneous
regulations and prohibitions for the guidance OF
the railroads. One section provides that when
| freight is carried over two connecting lines In
| the State, n uniform rate should be charged, and
| divided pro rata between the two companies
| Anti-discrimlnatiOn clauses are abundant. One
| clause prohibits the transportation of freight al
/ higher rates than those named in the bill or al
less rate for one or more persons. firms, com
| paDies and associations than for all Others aad
prohibits drawbacks, rebates, credits. donations
or considerations Of any kind amounting to dis
| elimination.