The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1888-06-15
Personal, Loca, and state Notes.

Indianapolis roads are expanding less this
year in the way of Improvements than In the
last five years.
In the first week Of June the Cairo, vincennes
& Chicago railroad earned $4,000, against $l5,-
$50 in the same week 10 1887.
In the five months ending May 81 there were
loaded at the Vandalia city freight depot 2,846
carloads Of freight, against z, sol In 1887.
The Vandalia now has four through trains
daily between Indianapolis and ST. Louis. the
1880 A. NJ train oot of here now running Sun
days as well % week days.
The low rates at which both passenger and
freight business is now carried is forcing man
agemsuts TO cut down sxpenses Within the
last week several roads have ordered train crews
dropped and the shop forces reduced. When
railroads carry business below paying rates,
sooner or later all branches OF business feel it.
The Lake Erie & Western people are again
negotiating with the Wabash road for the estab-
fishing of slesping-car line between Indisnapo-
lis and Detroit, via Fort Wayne and Toledo.
With tho putting on Of LILO p. NJ. train out of
here they make close connection with tho Wa
bash proper at Peru, and can land passengers in
Toledo at 7:40 A NJ. and Detroit At $50 A N.
Usually it is the weak lines which first cut
rates, but it Is alleged that tho low rates now 10
force to Chicago were started downward by one
OF tho strong lines. Passenger men, who are
usually correct In their views. are Of the opinion
that just as many people would have been car
RED to ST Louis, Cincinnati and Chicago had
paying rates been charged az have been carried
At reduced rates. which have left but little above
the actual cost Of running the trains.
The Lake Erie & Western peaple are making
extensive improvements to the Indianapolis 81
Michigan City division. A new iron bridge to
be placed over the Wabash river near Peru has
been contracted for, and one to take the place Of
the ono now crossing Fall creek. An expert en-
eineer is going over the road selecting the opsn-
ings where iron pipes or stone work can be made
to take the place of wooden structures. What
the company 10 doing in the way Of improve
uaents Is of the most substantial character.
At conference of the managers Of the lead
ing coal railroads of Indiana. Illinois and Ohio
it was resolved to make no advance 10 coal rates
for the fall season. though IL had been previously
agreed by a majority Of the lines that rates
should be raised about 20 per cent on Sept. l.
Higher rates, IL is claimed, than those now in
force would make the proportion Of through
rates going to the coal roads unduly large. and
possibly lead to q less profit from the business
than is secured on the present basis Of rates.
For several months past the Adams and Amer
lean express companies have been engaged in
fighting the old United States Express Compa-
ny, but have made poor Roadway a. in the case
of the establishing Of an express route between
Cincinnati and Chicago via Indianapolis. The
United States express now have one and are
making good time do their competitors.
Railroads are too numerous and the country too
large to pen I'D . company like tho United
States. as its competitors have now doubtless
discovered.