The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1893-02-27
BUSINESS OF THERAILWAYS
Mcleod Not Disconnected BY the Talk
Against Him as Reading Receiver.
Traffic Increasing. Now that the Blockades
Have Been Raised-Big Demand from
Local shippers for Empty Cars.

Nothing has trans pired in the affairs of
the Reading railroad to disturb the torpor
into which it has failed save the attacks
upon the appointment of President Mcleod
as q receiver. Speaking of the attacks and
the criticisms upon President Mcleod an
official of the company at Philadelphia,
yesterday. said: THE charge is made that
the appointment was improper because
President Mcleod has been so closely iden-
titled with the company and the causes
that led to the trouble. The critics over
look the fact that In event of railroad
company becoming insolvent, it is always
customary to appoint the president as re-
ceiver until such allegations of fraud are
made as would put his appointment out of
the question. OF course no such allega-
tIons have been made against President
Mcleod. In the previous receivershlps
of Reading. the presidents acted as
receivers. Both Mr. Gowan and Keim
became receivers when the company got
into difficulties. AMI it would have been
matter of sharp criticism il Mr.. Mcleod.
who is so thoroughly familiar with the
road and all it's affairs. had not been ap-
pointed q receiver in the present crisis.
The appointment was made by Judge Dali
las. of the United States Court. who was
master In two previous receivershlps.
and who. outside of the officials
of the company and it's counsel. Is
probably more conversans with the condl-
Iion of the road and It's financial compiled
tions than aDy'man in Philadelphia Judge
Dallas il the last man in the world who
would be influenced by any unworthy con-
sheraton in appointing the receivers. and
the fact that be named President Mcleod
with MessrsL Paxson end Wilbur showed
that he looked upon Mcleod as the tittest
man for the place. 1t may be supposed
that Mcleod Will retain his position not
withstanding the clamor."
Increase In Loaded Cars
The tram records show that in the week
ending Feb. % there were ], 81 more loaded
cars received and forwarded at Indianap-
Oils than in the week preceding, but the
loaded-car movement is still several thou
sand cars q week below the usual move
ment. The increase of last week was made
in the last three days. The weather con-
ditions in the early part of the week were
so unfavorable that the car movement was
unusually light. Freight men say there
never were more numerous calls for cars TO
load than at the present time. This Is due
to two causes: For some time past the
roads have been so blocks AIDED that little
new business could be taken. and hen the
kade In the West as raised IL was found
that cars were being used stOrebouses
In the East, thus making empties scarce.
In the last three days. however, business
has begun to move briskly in all direc-
tions and empty oars are being placed for
loading in larger numbers than at any time
since last fall, the increased movement
of empty cars IN the tabulated statement
below bearing out the above statement. A
heavy east-bOund movement of grain, lum-
Der and miscellaneous freiRhts iS now ex-
pected for some weeks to come. The ship
ments of live stock East are lighter than a
any time In many years. and but little i'm
provement is looked for before next fall.
West-bOund the tonnage is nearer an aver
age February volume than IN any other d.
rection. This has been fortunate In one
way-it has furnished cars TO return East
loaded during the scarcity of empty
cars. The business coming west has been
quite equally divided between high and
low-class freights. North-and-south roads
have not made as good all exhibit usual
in the winter months. The winter South
as well as North has been SO severe that Ice
crops have been gathered at Southern
points W here usually Ice is shipped from
the North to supply such markets Then
the high price of hog products has cut Oft
the demand in the Southern States very
materially. In years past shipments of
these Northern products have cut very
important figure. Local business is begin
ming to increase. More activity Is now
noticeable about the city freight depOts
and loading and unloading tracks in the
yards than at any time In the last ten
weeks. and with milder weather local traf-
fc will soon strike it's usual volume.
Below 10 given the number of loaded cars
received and forwarded at this point for
the week ending Feb. 25 as compared with
the corresponding week of the preceding
two years: