The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1883-04-23

Valley and Norfolk g. Western roads, affords the
most direct Foufe between New York and New
Orleans Il ,463 miesI aud Memphis ana Norfolk
(960 mlles). The route is direct also from Gin
Gilman TO the Georgia seaboard at Brunswick,
and to New Orleans.
The Wood River branch of the Oregon Short
Line WAS opened, last week, for business to
Siding, twenty-five miles north OF ShOshOne, and
within thirty-three miles OF HALEY. stages Will
now connect with the railroad at Siding, though
rates remain unchanged.
The fast-freight lines operating over Wander
bit's system of roads have commenced running
over the Utica e. Black River railroad to the
St. Lawrence, where they are ferried across the
river to Brockville, where they strike the Cana
dian Pacific road, and run thence to Montreal.
The business of the Red, White and Bne' the
Canadian Southern and Merchants Dlspatcn
Will doubtless he immense, and must seriously
cut in on the business of the Grand Trunk Line
SIMPLIFYING THE METHOD OF DOING BUSINESS.
In railway operations the tendency to dispense
with middle men and all unnecessary red tape Is
growing Through bills of lading from far West
ern points to ports the other side of the At
lantic are now very common, and there are in
stances of the purchase by cable direct from
producers of particular kinds of wheat, which
the buyer is sure to get, unmixed with other
kinds. While the granger element OF the coun'
try Is looking with suspicion upon the great con-
soldatiOn schemes, every move made IN THIS Ill
rectiOn thus far has tended toward lower rates,
through cutting down operating expenses ana
simplifying the methed of doing business, one
way-bill now often covering as many roads as
ten years ago half-doZen way-b1lls would.
4 GOOD JOKE AT THE EXPENSE OF THE sUPERIN-
TENDENT OF AN INDIANAPOLIS ROAD.
The Baltimore American, in a column article,
comments enthusiastically on the recent trip of
a number OF the leading business men of that
city over the Baltimore & Ohio and the Indiana,
Bloomington & Western system OF roads. The
superintendent of the l., 5. & W. accompanied
the party part of the way, and not only won
for himself good reputation as a railroad man,
but as a gamester. Some of the younger mem
beers of the party, restrained hy weightier infln-
ences, had kept'back from the seductive game of
draw, until they reached Columbus on their re-
turn home. Before parting, the superintendent
of the L., b. & W. joined them in IA little game.
The superintendent having but one arm, says
the American, it WAS a little difficult for MIN to
handle his cards, aud more so for him to deal.
On the first call, however, he turned up royal
flush, and scOoped III the pot. Then he eontented
himself with four little tens, ana again scooped
in the pot. Well, he kept on this way until the
time he had to say goodbye, but had all the cash
on the table, which at this point was doubtless
small sum. As he started to leave, one OF the
Batimorians, who is prominent and successful
in average deas, sald
"Mr Superintendent, now dld you use to play
when you had two hands?"
my dear friend" he answered, 81 don't wish
to boast, but think could tie my legs behind
my back, and let one of you hold this arm, and
clean out this crowd playing with my teeth
and he smiltngly departed,
FREIGHT BUSINESS.
An increase Ill the number of loaded cars han
died at this point last week, is rather surprise,
yet the train records show this to be the case.
However, no Improvement is shown in the east
bound movement, there really being a slight de-
crease. Probably the reduction In grain rates
may cause an Improvement the coming week, or
at least freight men predict that it will, but it
will hardly be very marked. Ga wesi-bound
traffic is where the increase is mostly shown, the
handsome increase on the Bee Line, the |. d. st.
L. the P, C. & st. L. and Vandalia, being almost
entirely on west-bound tonnage, and the sharp
spurt IN this direction is rather a surprise and
not expected TO be of long duration The north
and south roads are moving daily about as many
loaded cars they have averaged per day for
some weeks past, yes business IS hardly up to
the usual standard at this season of the year.
Local business continues heavy both in and
outbound, and as yet there no indications
that 1t il 10 fail off for some weeks to come.
Live stock both in local and through shipments
has begun u improve handsomely, and prom
Uses tn be heavier over Indianapolis lines the
coming season than in any former year. Below
is given the humber of cars received and for
warded this point in he week ending April
81, at II M, as compared withithe movement of
the preceding week: