The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1883-04-30

east from St. Louis in Q cents per 100 pounds,
while the rates ny the first mentioned road Is
"A cents per 100 pounds and the reduction the
t., @. d st. i. makes is in the same proportions
the whole length of its lines. The railroad
law of Illinois allows road TO make as low a
rate as it chooses, but does not allow any
road to go above the ma ximurn fixed by the rail-
road commissioner. The general freight agents
named say that no road can handle business at
the rates the t., G. & st. L. makes and pay ope-
rating expenses, and every effort is to be made
which is reasonable, to induce the t., c. q st. L..
to make its tariff on higher basis. 1t is quite
evident that the T., @. 81 81. L.. takes such action
either to advertise its road at the start. or to
force recognition of the road in the east-bound
pool out OF st. Louis
GETTING READY TO BECOME AGGRESSIVE.
The present management of the Cincinnati,
Hamilton and Dayton lines took bold June last
and its aim has been, first to get the roadbei
and equidments in good shape to do business,
and, with this accomplished, then TO take an dg-
gressve policy to secure business, which they
will in a short time be prepared to do Within
the last ten months General Manager Waite has
purchased two consol and two mogul engines.
SIX frst-class engines have been built at their
own shops, and twenty rebuilt. Two of
the passenger engines built at the Lima
shops, Nos. II and &c, are said to
be among the best engines run on the Western
roads, and are of the Pennsylvania railroad COM
pany's standard utmost respects, weighing forty
tons, have 17x24inch cylinder, five foot and
three men driving Wneel, steel DOller5 anu
steel fire-box. Within the last ten months
thirty miles of steel rail has been laid, 100, 900
cross ties put In, three AMI one-f0urth miles of
double track have been laid and eight and one
fourth miles additional will be completed within
sixty days; 1000 feet of iron bridge have been
built, and $1020 900 expended in the purchase of
land at terfnini where improvements are to be
made; and as the facilities for doing business
have been improved the traffic aud earnings
Increased, the increase in March, this year, over
1882 being more than 500, 900, and April will
show an Increase in earnings from $4,000 10
$4,000. Several other improvements are con
templated this season, which will enable the
company to handle their business more econom-
ically and promptly than they now do.
FREIGHT BUSINESS.
The train records show a decrease in the move
ment of cars over Indianapolis hines. The falling
off is largely in the total movement, not in that
OF loaded ears. In the week ending April 81 there
was an unusually large movement of empties
westward, while in the week ending the 2Sth the
movement was light. In east-bound business
there was slight increase. amt in west-bound
there was falling off, while the through ship
ments, both east and west, seem rather light.
The tonnage for the month of April is ahead of
that of April, 1882, but so numerous
are the lines TO divide the business with that
none are doing big business. The movement of
grain over the linesis disappointing, as with the
reduction in rates an increase in tonnage was
expected. Provisions and lumber are going for
ward more freely than early in the month.
North and south roads are doing a fair business,
but the tonnage, both north and south-bound, is
not up to the expectations of freight men. Traf-
tc was light in March, and sharp Improvement
was anticipated in April, which has not been the
promises to be for several weeks to come. Below
is given the number of cars received and for
warded at this point in the week ending April
2S, at II NJ, as compared with the movement of
the preceding week;