The Indianapolis sentinel. [volume] (Indianapolis, Ind.) 1880-1904, 1885-03-17
RAILWAY NEWS.
II. B. Hammond Appointed Receiver
OF the l., D. and S.-Decrease IN
Shipments From New York to
the West-Other Items

J. s. Lazarus has been appointed General
Manager, J. n. McNeal, Auditor and Cashier,
and George Bender, Superintendent OF the
/. d. and S. All of these gentlemen are
practical railroad men, and will exert them.
selves to make the /. ID. and S. good paying
property. Several other appointments are
to be made before the road passes into the
hads OF Mr., Hammond.
Oscar Vanderbilt, Indianapolis agent OF
Northern Pacific, is receiving numerous sp.
plications for the latest piece of advertising
matter issued by that road: "Allce's AID
ventures in New Wonderland" This fol-
der, or, rather one Size of il, is covered with
highly -colored pictures while on the other
is a complete map OF the Yellowstone Ma
tioDal Park. The folder will be sent tree to
any address on application.
In spite of the reduction of about one
third in rates during the month OF February
IL rough shipments from New York to the
West we're much lighter this year than last.
As rates are now go low as to be likely to
attract the shipments that go by more cir
cuitous routes usually the showing is not
favorable and indicates that merchandise
sales have been materially less than last
year. What is more noticeable, however, is
the fact that the decrease in rates has ap-
parently no effect on shipments. Railroad
men say that me years ago, when rates
were brought down to the present figures,
there was great increase in tonnage. They
can not understand why business is light
now.
A petition was fled in the Federal Court
yesterday morning by j. d. Probst, who
represents the second mortgage bondhelders
Of the l., ID. and s., asking for the appoint.
ment of a Receiyer for that road. No oppo-
sition was offered to the proposed action,
and 1t was taken by the consent OF all parties,
Judge Woods appointing Henry Is. Ham
mond, who is President OF the company, Re-
ceiver. His bond was fixed at S25, 600. The
sureties are r. +. Pierce, of Charlottesville;
Thomas p. Atkins, New York, and John X.
Elder. The l., b. and w. people, according
to the agreement will operate the road until
April l, when Mr.. Hammond will assume
control. A local railroad man said
greatly benefited by this transfer, for
the l., ID. and s. would now become purely
q local read. While il will be necessary TO
expend several thousand dollars in improve
ments this spring and summer, IL Is general
ly conceded that the l., ID. and 8. is not by
any means in as bad physical condition as
many OF the newspapers would have the
public believe. IL is undcreto od that several
new bridges will be built and the road bed
and tack strengthened at certain points
along the line number OF new cars and
engine, will also be purchased.
TIE ABSOLUTE BLOCK SYSTEM.
The advantages enjoyed by the use OF the
absolute block system are forcibly illustrated
by the experience OF the last month or two
on q good many roads. To those familiar
with tho actual practice in The running OF
snow.plows, IL Is q well.known fact that In.
stances are frequent where tho view IL 10 OBJ
scured that II IL absolutely unsafe 10 pro.
ched except on the popular American plan
| OF trusting TO luck. Not only do the clouds
OF snow preclude any extended view ahead,
bat especially In n dark night, by coating
the windows or otherwise, make IL often
utterly impossible 10 zee a danger sIgna!. In
however faithful hands it may be; and this
at the time when torpedoos are the least
available and the least reliable. In tho nu.
mcrous aud severe storms OF the winter,
| which We hope 10 now bidding n good bye,
| the block system must havs commended
| minds of good many roRd'masterr m not
only an advantage and q convenience. but
AZ an absolute necessity. A road'msster Cor
anybody else with any sort OF develop
Ia the eautionary department OF his Uranium
would certainly take this view and would
| perforce Invent q block system II none ex'
isted). provided he personally rode on the
pillow. Perhaps they don't all do this, Every
road master certainly ought 10. and In some
cases invite the general manager aud one OF
two directors 10 20 along with him and ses
the difference between this sort OF convey
ance Whitewater an .oheese buffet In winter
and q directors car with dining car annex In
| summsf.
Every road whose telegraph stations ar,
| not more than hundred miles apart should
/ haxa thu lacilillsa for lmnroxlainn n siallon.