Rock Island daily Argus., 1893-07-08
ECHOES FROM THE RAIL.
Notes of News About the Local Railroad
Interests-PersonaI Mention.


Interests-PersonaI Mention.
Nothing but miracle can prevent
serious passenger rate war in the
west, and the prospects for exceed
ingly low rates from all points in
this territory were never more prom
Using. 1t is no longer a question of
cheap coach excursions, but of how
low the regular rates may 90. So
serious has the situation become that
call was issued for a meeting of the
presidents and general managers of
all the lines in the Western Passen-
ger association which was held in
Chicago Thursday to consider means
whereby a general decentralization in
rates east of the Missouri river could
be prevented. Nothing can be done
to check the decentralization of rates
west of the Missouri river and st.
Paul. If the lines east of the Mis-
souri, river and St. Paul were firmly
united, they might keep up the rates
to paying figures in their territory
but they have commenced to fight
among themselves and difficulties
have arisen that threaten fight in
dependent of the war between the
trans Missouri lines.
Ins and Outs.
Division superintendent c. l.. Ew-
ing, of the Rock Island, spent yes
terday in the city on business.
w. A. Johnson, connected with the
Union Pacific at Denver, is in the city
making short visit to friends.
Superintendent of Construction
Mcfarland, of the c., r. |. & p, was
in the city yesterday on business.
John Volk left for the west last
night to look after further railroad
depot contracts for the Rock Island
road.
The Minneapolis express due here
over the Rock Island at G:15 this
morning. was four hours late on ac-
count of storms.
A handsome new desk ornaments
the freight eilice at the Rock Island
4 Peoria and it adds materially to
the appearance of the room.
Yardmaster Robert Williams. of
the Il. l. & p, is off on a couple of
weeks vacation, which he will spend
in Wisconsin and at the Worlds fair.
L. :. q. Pinckley has charge of the
yards during his absence.
R. Keppler, formerly city agent of
the Rock Island at Portland, Ore.
but now travelling passenger agent of
| the Nicel Plate with headquarters at
Kansas City, was in town yesterday
looking after his company's affairs.
The Rock Island shops at Valley
junction have just turned out COM
plete engine. the first that has been
made entirely in that city. 1t is not
stated that this is to be continued.
but serves to indicate the magnitude
and Importance of the plant located
there.
Tuesday was the 18th anniversary
of the connection of General Mana
ger st. John with the Rock Island.
He has been successfully clerk and
chief clerk of the ticket department.
general ticket agent, general ticket
and passenger agent. assistant to the
general manager, assistant general
manager, since 1887. general mana
ger.
Thomas II. Hartley, for a long time
past auditing clerk at the Rock Isl
and {; Peoria general offices, has re-
signed and viii retire from active
railroad life. He is succeeded by
Alex LidderS, formerly car account
ant. The latter is succeeded by
George Hull. his place being filed by
Emil Freytag, late of Reynolds.
Hugh Johnston is now chief clerk of
the auditors office.
Roadmaster j. E. Breckenridge. of
the Rock Island e. Peoria railway.
has commenced raising two of the
company's bridges over Rock river,
which is made necessary by the con-
struction of the Hennepin canal.
The bridges will be raised three feet.
which of course necessitaIes the re-
grading of the tracks for quite dis
tance on both sides of the river. A
force of about 100 men Will be en-
ployed, and the work viii occupy
two months for its completion.
The new time card goes into effect
on the Rock Island tomorrow, where
by there win be one train to Chicago
in the evening, which will at least be
an advantage oyer the old card.
Under the new arrangement, how
ever. we will lose the fast train at
11:45 a. m, in other words the Rocky
Mountain limited will go east at
about 2:35 a. m. and west at about
10 p. m. Another change will be in
the arrival of the Stuart, Ia, eX-
press, which will arrive after tomor-
row at j:15 instead of $40 as at pres
ent. The change referred to by
w hich an pynninCr Or train for C'hica ro