The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1888-01-27
The l., B. q VIC. s. s. G. CONCENTRATION
Local and state Notes.

can do better without tho G., >. a. Z. DIVISION
than the latter can without the L, B. 81 w.
Local and state Notes.
The validity of the seeping-car tax law comes
up for a hearing to-day in the Indiana Supreme
Court. Harris e. Calkns represent the Wood
ruff Sleeping-car Company, the defendant in the
case.
In running over their system of 532 miles. the
trains of the Indiana, Bloomington d Western
road cross the tracks of sIxty-one roads at
which their trains are obliged to come to stand
still.
The earnings Of the Pennsylvania lines west
of Pittsburg are published for the twelve
months of 1887, showing surplus over all Ii
abilities of 81, $780, 1OO being gain over 1886 OF
e1,l5l,21
The health of Geo. Butler, district passenger
agent of the Indiana. Bloomington 81 West
ern road, has improved greatly since he has been
in Florida. and he will probably remain there
for some time.
Freight traffic is again assuming large proper
tions with Indianapolis roads, and some are
troubled to get cars to handle the business
offered. On Wednesday there were transferred
over the Belt road 1892 cars.
The Pennsylvania Company argue that the
1000 mile books. at 2 cents mile, with the
large mileage they cover. are more convenient
than would 1000 mile books be- Their mileage
books are good over nearly 4,500 miles of road
Superintendent Mansfield, of the Indianapolis
& Vincennes road. has gone to Pittsburg to con-
fer with Vice-presldent McCrea regarding the
proposed extension 10 new coal mines opening in
L. ".
branches
The Chicago e. Eastern Illinois road has
ordered ten new engines Five are TO be built
at the Baldwin locomotive works, and to be de-
Hvered within ninety days and FIVE at one of the
New ENGLAND locomotive works, and to be deliv-
cred by July l, 1888.
The Vandalia announces a two-cents-a. mile
rate on thousand mile tickets, the tickets good
for use, however, for only six months. This
leaves the Pennsylvania lines AS the only ones
running into Indianapolis which not selling
thousand mile tickets at 500
For several weeks past the Indianapolis G.
st. Louis road has been turning over TO the Gin
cinnat, Indianapolis, st. Louis 81 Chicago road,
at this point, an average of 5000 600 pounds of
freight a week. while the latter does turn
over to the l. & St. L. more than an average of
400, 900 pounds week.
The FIRST twenty-five days of this year the
Cincinnati, Hamilton & Dayton forwarded from
corresponding period. 1887, and brought in from
the East $50 more loaded The increase is
made up largely through it's traffic arrangements
with the Vandalia.
c. p Huntington president Of the Chesa-
peake e. Ohio, the Southern Pacific the Oregon
g California. and half dozen less important
roads, mas notified the Wagner Car-door Com
pauy of this city that be had given instructions
that the Wagner door should be placed op all
the new cars for the various lines he controls
and put in use on all old cars as far prac-
teal
The Southern Pacific road has asked the In
dianapolis Car works to bid 900 box cars to
be equipped with the Wagner door and air
brakes. The cars are to be much Of the same
pattern as those the works have been building
for the Atchsor. Topeka 81 Santa Fe. The
Pennsylvania Company is also in the market for
1000 box-csrs, and the Chesapeake d. Ohio for
200 box-cars.
Another attempt is to be made to resuscitate
the Western States Passenger Agents Associa-
ton. A committee bias been appointed to invite
the six roads which have recently Withdrawn
back into the fold. The most troublesome of
the six the Wabash and the Chicago q AL
ton. As the committee is composed of general
managers 1t Is hoped that something will be
complished in bringing the refractory members
back.
Ticket agents. more commonly known as
spoilers on the conductor, are still en- loyed on
the Cincinnati. Hamilton q Dayton lines. which
said to be the only in the country
pioying this class of men. Their work has been
modified somewhat. however; they no longer
precede the conductor and ask passengers to show
their tickets. TIE agent now sits at the
end of the car and when the conductor has
gone through his train. he turns over his tickets
and each fares to the agent for examination.
The Philadelphia Record says that ''the man
sgement of the Pennsylvania road shows q de.
termination TO increase its current expenses
extent that will prevent the shareholders
from receiving larger dividends" As the money
is expended in the purchasing of additional
equipment and improving the road bed, the
shareholders have no reason to complain. So
far increasing their equipment is concerned
there is hardly division of its entire system
where the locomotives and freight equipments
Even the Indianapolis g. Vincennes road would
have earned $50. 900 more In 1887 had the power
and cars to move the business been at COM
mand.
II. 5. Wood, or the Chicago. Milwaukee & st.
Paul road, has issued a circular recommending
the establishing of clearing houses similar to
those in England. The writer asserts that all
attempts TO matHtain uniform and remunerative
rates have proved TO be fat failures and rail-
ways are being forced to the wall in the struggle
for unremunerative competitive business. By
the adoption of the clearing house plan he saws
this business will be divided and arranged
that each road will receive its proportionare
share OF the business and of the revenue derived
therefrom. He suggests that a committee of
five competent men be appointed to take the
matter up, that it may be presented before the
leading roads In the country for consideration.
1t appears by Receivsr McNulta's report that
during the best year the Wabash proper ever
bad for business he has succeeded in paying off
interest enough to be equal to interest the
nrst and second mortgage bonds, only leaving
over small amount to pay interest
on three other classes of bonds and
dividends on stock. The New York Mail and
Express says that at this rate the second mort
gage bondhoiders will have wait two or three
years before they are reached, SO much back in.
,erest 10 there on hrst-mortgage bonds The
holders or the second mortgage bonds now show
disposition to accent the offer of the purchas.
Ing committee, which assures them speedy paw
ment without any additional tax. The purchss-
ing committee said to be much encouraged
though not absolutely sure they will carry out
their programme.
Miscellaneous Items.
Freight traffic over the Northwestern roads ia
almost at standstill. The roads are opened
but the high ways blockaded with snow
that shippers cannot reach the stations