The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1885-02-14

OF paralytic strokes within the last twelve
months, and as many more rail
roa men of prominence who have become
practically unfit for duty by partial paralysis
The question naturally arises, why so many rail
road men become the subjects of paralysis; and
in commenting on this matter an old railroader
said, yesterday but few people or business men
aware of the constant strain upon mind and
body of general manager or superintendent of
railroad, or, at least, one who is successful
official. There is a constant anxiety lest some
thing will go wrong in the transportation depart
ment, some careless switchman leave switch
open. careless section man nave rail up and
not flag against train, and locomotive and
several cars be piled up in heap. Then they
are worried lest telegraph operator fails to de-
liver train message. or train dispatcher makes
blunder in the movement Of train, or has
his trains not we'll in hand There are a hun
dred and one things that no must be carefully
watching after. He has sleepless nights; he is
often on the road $50 of the 3G5 days
of the year; travels as much by night
rs by day. then he is often irregular
in getting his meals; if he lives on his car much
of the time, he eats too rich food All combine
to demoralize the system, and he is suddenly
seized by slight paralytic stroke. He goes to
some health seeking resort but seldom receives
much benefit; returns home, soon has another
attack, and death ensues, or else he is rendered
helpless, and fingers for months or years-all
his trouble being from overwork. The active
railroad man Of to- day is short-lived in every
department., ana IN none more SO IMAM WIN the
general manager or superintendent.
The Lot of a Pool Commissioner Not q Hap
py One.
Those who are posted as regards the trials of
pool commissioners are we'll aware his lot is not
happy one He is subjected to abuse from
jealous competitors on all sides If he under
takes to enforce pool rulings as in the case of
Commissioner Doherty with the c., H. & D., he
is charged with being prejudiced against the
road, or, as i'll the present trouble with the
Wabash road, he receives very cutting replies
from superior officers of the road. A day or two
ager Smith. of the Wabash, to the effect that he
was satisfied that representatives of lines oper-
ating over the Wabash were cutting rates. The
manager wrote back sharply -worded letter, in
which he said it singular that as soon as the
Wabash got little business out of Indianapolis
it should be alleged that they were cutting rates.
Yet in the letter he did not deny that such was
the case. While the Wabash in the east-bound
pool is awarded 6 per cent of the business, since
the pool was organized it has carried
less than per cent. AS a consequence,
this has brought the pool in debt to the Wabash
road. A small portion of this shortage on the
part of the Wabash paid up by diverting
tonnage to the road, but since the pool became
rickety the roads will not turn over tonnage or
pay the balance in money to the Wabash. This,
1t Is said has riled them somewhat, and they are
paying rebates to shippers in retaliation for the
shortcomings of their competitors. Whether
this be so or not should the Wabash continue to
do the business out Of Indianapolis it has for a
few days past, east bound rates will be dropped
to meet the two-cent rebate which shippers
boast they are receiving from the Wabash lines.