The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1886-08-24
Gould Not Make the Time.

So common is the belief that ons locomotive
engineer is as valuable to road as another,
especially when engineers are paid on the mile
age basis, that we mention case, without
naming the road which proves the absurdity of
such statement. One of the oldest, and here
tofore considered the best, engineers on said
road. has been running one of the fastest express
trains, and seldom, under the most favorable
whore important connections are made, on time,
always dropping three to eight minutes behind
schedule, and seldom reaching either terminal
on time. A short time since this engineer was
out of health and took two-weeks' rest. A
young man who had been running but few
years was detailed to run this train, the same
engine, the same fireman, the same quality of
coal was used, yet the new engineer
took this train, and, from the very FIRST
run it exactly on the time schedule reaching
junction points and the terminals with a
promptness that excited much comments and
what was more surprising the fact that on
figuring the amount of coal he had used in max
ing this time for each week. it showed that
he had run the train on an average of 900 pounds
per day less coal than had the veteran engineer
who seldom could make the time On the re-
turn of the old engineer from his visit he was
given another train to run, and was so aggreved
over the matter that it referred to the di-
vision of the Brotherhood of Engineers, of which
he was member, as well as the young engineer
Investigation brought out the facts cited
above The investigating committee sided with
the superintendent and master mechanic in tin
action that had been taken, promptly admitting
that the young engineer had shown himself to be
a more competent engineer than the older en-
gineer, who had been transferred to the running
of a less important train, and one that is lower
speeded.
Will Live Up tn the Pooling Agreement.
Vice president Spencer, of the Baltimore g.
Ohio. says that road is party to the presidents
agreement STILL but not to the New York pool.
The agreement is general one, between all of
the trunk lines. to act together for mutual pro-
lection and for the maintenance of uniform and
equitable rates 1t provides also. In q general
way. for the formation of pools at various points
where they deemed necessary. A pool is
merely plan for an equitable division of traffic
between the several lines in interest The New
York pool is only one of several. The action of
the Pennsylvania railroad, in arbitrarily exclud-
ing the Baltimore & Ohio from any partici-
patton in the New York traffic, excludes this
company from that pool and its benefits. Under
the rulings of the commissioners and the action
of the executive committee, the Baltimore &
Ohio accepts this condition of affairs, and will
abide by it, although the driving of one mem
Der out oy the arbitrary action or another is GER
tainly in conflict with the spirit. and, we believe,
the letter of the presidents agreement. Ordl-
Darily such a measure would be sufficient to
break any pool; but the Baltimore & Ohio pre-
fers to adhere to its obligations and seek to pre-
serve by conservative course the enormous
general interests involved both from the stand
point of the business interests of the country
and the large invested capital in railway prop
erty, rather than hazard them in attempts at re-
taliation. Its earnings will not suffer in the
meantime, as the volume of the new Philadel-
phia traffic will compensate for the loss at New
York. at which point resumption will not be long
delayed"