The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1892-07-28
MOVE In THE RIGHT MANNER
Brotherhood of Engineers Want to Be
Protected from Poor Operators.
More Experienced Men Necessary as Dispatch
ers-Big Four Will Handle 1900 Cars Of
Wheat To- Dsy-BusIn,ss Of the MonOn.

Members of the Brotherhood of Locomo-
tive Engineers in the State of Pennsy lvania
are the originators of bill which VIII be
introduced at the next assembling of the
legislative bodies of that State, the object
of which Is to regulate the employment of
telegraph operators. The recent accident
at Harrisburg. on the Pennsylvania road.
has brought the matter more prominently
to the front. Among the provisions of the
bill are tn at all operators employed on rail-
roads in the State shall have at least one
years experience. shall not be under twen-
" years of age. and, where block
signals are. used. before securing a po-
si1ion they must first become familiar
with the system. Without question the
employment of more experienced and ma
tured operators 10 desirable and would
lessen the liability to accident That too
many incompetent men are employed IN
such positions is evident, and results from
the desire of railway managers to cut
down expenses in this department.. but, In
the long run, the mistakes of the incompe
tent operator cost the company more than
would command the best operators. An
inexperienced. incOmpetent operator can,
with few clicks of his telegraph instru-
mens. cause loss of life and property
which will pay all the operators on the line
their yearly salary. The steps the Broth
erhood of Locomotive Engineers are taking
will doubtless be more effectual than have
been the efforts of the Order OF Railway
Telegraphers to weed out incompetent
operators.
Looks Like - Big Cut.
The twelve-dollar round-trip rate be-
tween Chicago and Denver to the Knights
Templars conclave was the subject OF
further conference of the Western general
passenger agents yesterday. The purpose
of the meeting was TO formulate an
application TO Chairman Caldwell for
authority to make such rates as
would afford them ample protection
against the Atchison's reduced rates.
The Chicago * Alton representative was
present and gave notice that his company,
In order To protect It's interests, would not
only meet the Sl2 rate to Denver and re.
turn. bat would make o round-trip rate Of
IS from Chicago and st. Louis to Kansas
City and return. and one-way rate OF so
west-bound betw cen the same points. Up
on hearing this the association lines so
man was asked to authorize an addi-
ti1n to the sl2 round-trip Denver
rate; q one-way rate of S12 from
Chicago to Denver and intermediate
of 20 between Chicago and Missouri-river
points. The chairman took the aDpiica ton
under advlsement. and will give his decis-
lon to-day. Notwithstanding Chairman
CaldwelPs adverse decision IN regard TO
the Atchisons right to adopt the reduced
rate. that company persists In its determi-
nation. Furthermore. 1t will probably de,
maDd rehearing of the case on the ground
that the statements submitted by the Atch-
ison In JustI hcs ton of its course were not
disproved by any evidence taken by the
chairman at the former hearing.
Considering East-Bound Freights
The St Louis East bound Traffic Associa-
and especially the rate on slxth-class
freight to New York. Tho Vandalia had
announced tariff on sixth class from East
ST. Louis on the basis of 20 cents from Chi
cago, all rail. which went into effect yes
terday. The Glover Leaf and the Alton
bad sIgnified their intention of meeting
this rate, but at the meeting there seemed
20 be no disposition 70 take united action.
The Wabash il evidently well satisfied
with It's Lakeland rail tariff east bonnd.
So far a. known. the Vandalia 10 the only
road that has taken this step. 1t 10 true
that the Chicago & Alton and the To-
ledo, ST. Louis & Kansas City both is
sued tariffs on the same basis, but they
cancelled them on receiving assurances
from the Chicago committee of the Cen
trail Traffic Association that the reduction
is not concurred In by any of the Eastern
roads. The Vandaiia cannot derive any
advantage from its course If oil its East
ern connections refuse to participate in the
reduced rates, and that seems to be the
state of affairs at present. A suspicion ex-
lets. however. that the Vandalia has an al
~ in this movement, and that it IS no less
arOad than the Erie. though the officials
of that line do not admit 1T.
Remarkable Increase in Business.
j. b. Harter, who on Feb. /. was ap-
pointed agent Of the Big Four lines at An
derson. was in the city yesterday for a
short time, and from him was gathered
the information as TO the growth of traffic
at that station. Receipts from sales of
tickets in June were Ss.2ac; increase over
June, 1891, SIS. 766 Receipts on freight de-
Evered at Anderson In the month of June.
SS3, 266.Ss; increase over June. 1891, Sl6,-
O-GS5. He states, going back to 1890, that
the business of 1892 was IL freight recei pts
treble those of June that year. While Mr.
liar:er did not mention IT. it would seem
that the Big Pour should build the talked
OF new station at Anderson. considering the
business this station is doing. The plans
for the new depot have been prepared six
months or more.
Wheat Beginning to Move.