The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1893-01-19
AFFAIRS OF THE RAILWAYS
Failure of an Attempt to Readjust
Grain Rates from Kansas City.
The Atchison and the Rock Island Not Dis
posed to Yield the Advantage They Now
Enjoy Oyer Their Competitors.

EDl0y UfeT luclE tOUpolItOle.
One of the knotty problems that the
Western roads have long been wrestling
with is that of establishing q satisfactory
basis of freight rates on east-bound traffic
passing through Kansas City. Formerly
the through rate on grain shipments from
the territory west of the Missouri river to
Chicago was the sum of the locals. This
was changed after some of the roads. such
rs the AtchIson and the Rock Island. had
90 extended their systems that they owned
lines both east and west of the
river, and were consequently independ-
emit of their former connections. Then
these roads adopted through rate consid-
erably lower than the combined locals.
They objected to hauling freight from
points on their lines in Kansas and Texas
and sUrrenderin9 their control of it to Kan
sas City, where several lines terminal at
that point were waiting TO secure share
of the traffic from Kansas to Chicago or
st. Louis. As the traffic originated on
their lines, they claimed the right to con-
troll 1t from point of origin TO point OF des-
tinatlon, and. In order to protect them
selves in this position, they established
through rates the proportions of which east
uIar local rates. and issued tariffs reading
only over their own lines. Under this AZ
rangement shippers were allowed TO otter
their grain for sale on the Kansas City
market and, within certain time. were
privileged to ship IL eastward at the pro-
portion OF the through rate. Roads termi-
mating at the river. sucn as the Chicago IL
Alton, the Burlington and the Chicago
Great Western. were only enabled to get q
share of this business by accepting what
was left of the through rate. As the grain
shipments all break bulk at Kansas City
for the benefit of that market, there is q
general scramble for the east bound busi-
ness, and the situation has become decided
" mixed. The proportional rates are not
Uniform, but range from 10 TO Is cents
per one hundred pounds from the Missouri
river to Chicago. This is annoying TO the
dealers. who are thus prevented from max
ing close calculations. Consequently
large number of the Kansas City grain
dealers have been signing petitions
to the railroads to make q flat" rate from
Kansas City TO Chicago on such shipments.
In other words. they ask the roads to strike
an average of the several proportionate
Rates now in use and MAINTAIN 1t on all
shipments.
In consideration of these petitions a COM
mittee of the Western Freight Association
and committee of the 1ranemissouri lines
met at Chicago yesterday TO disease the
subject The object was to readjust grain
rates. it possible. on a more satisfactory
basis. but. like all the previous efforts in
that direction. it was fiat failure. The
roads having lines west of the river would
advantages under which the roads east of
theriver are laboring, and the conference
was entirely barren Of results.
Opposed to Mileage Tickets.
Chairman Caldwell. of the Western Pas
Benger Association. was much surprised
yesterday to receive communication from
the JobberS Association of Minneapolis
vigorously opposing the adoption of the
proposed ELECTROMAGNETIC interchange
sble mileage ticket. 1t Is the first opposi-
lion to the ticket that has come to light.
Petitions for it's adoption from commercial
travellers organizations have been pouring
in upon the railroads for more than year.
and just why the Minneapolis jobbers have
decided to antaRonize the movement is
puzzle. No reason Is given IL the letter.
Personal Local and General Notes
The directors of the LAKE Erie 81 West
ern have declared q Il per cent. quarterly
dividend. payable Feb. Is.
Harry Burt. chief telegraph operator at
the Union Station, yesterday began his
twenty fourth year In that Office.
General Passenger Agent Fisher. of rbe
Columbus & Hooking Valley, Is arranging
for winter Niagara-falls excursion.
The master mechanics of the Pennsyl-
vania lines west CT PittsburR are holding q
two days conference at Columbus, y.
In Decem Der there were forwarded from
Indianapolis over the Big Four lines Is, I'll
loaded GERS: over the Peoria L. Eastern
S,S42 loaded cars.
Joseph McFall. for many years train in
spector at Union Station. lies dangerously
Ill of pneumonia at his home, No. III North
Delaware street.
j. X. Lape, formerly master mechanic on
the Decline, on Monday took the position
Of master mechanic on the Louisville
Evansville & st. Louis.
The Pennsylvania Company has Just oom-
pleted side track at Royal Center Ind,
on the Logansport division. 1890 feet long
tor freight passing point.
Oscar Murray, second vice. president of
the Big Four company, was in the city Last
evening en- route to ST. Louis He expects
TO spend Saturday In Indianapolis.
1t is stated that the roads are now paying
rs large commissions on passenger business
ss four years ago. when the crusade against
paying commissions was insugurated.
The general Offices of the Queen d Cres-
cent road will, on March J. be removed to
much more pleasant quarters al the corner
OF Elm and Seventh streets, Cincinnati.
John Clare. who run the first train over
the Louisville. Evansville IL Sc. Louis is
still running an engine on the road rank.
ing as one Of the Oldest employees in service
on the line.
The manufacturers of Richmond. Ind.
which will reach the various industries. 1t
Is meeting with some opposition as a belief
prevails with the opponents that the Penn