The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1893-04-06
WANT TO REDUCE EXPENSES
Railway Presidents Think Their Pas
senger Departments Are Too Costly.
Proposition 10 DO Away with Travelling Agents
Joseph \. Harris Mentioned as Presi-
dent McLeod's Possible Successor.


Joseph \. Harris Mentioned as Presi-
dent McLeod's Possible Successor.
The action taken by the presidents of the
leading roads at their recent meeting Is
slowly becoming known. and il is evident
they are determined to reduce the expen-
ses of the passenger departments and of
the fast freight lines. At the recent meet
Ing three hours were occupied in discussing
the excessive cost, as IL was stated. OF the
passenger departments. One president
was In favor Of dong away with all travel
ing passenger agents. alleging that for
every passenger secured through their eff
forts it cost 20 cents on the dollar to get the
business, aud, still worse, he said
that nearly all the rate cutting came
through the methods these travelling
passenger agents adopted TO get business.
The santa Re then offered TO reduce the
number of travelling passenger agents to
three If its competitors would make pro-
portIonate reductions. This would mean
the dismissal. on the Santa Re. of twenty
six travelling passenger agents. as the COM
pany has twenty-nine in that branch OF
service. The whole matter was laid over
TO the next meeting: meantime every road
ts TO prepare q statement or the ber OF
travelling passenger agents employed, the
territory they cover, their monthly ex-
penses and what business Is secured by
euch representatives.
1t is stated the old question OF reducing
the number of fast freight lines and con-
solidating Offices is being agitsted. although
at the meeting no action was taken regard
ing tho matter. About three years ago.
when the presidents determined to cut
down expenses. lt was proposed TO have
but one fast freight line run over either of
49, AsnDL linz ~ me M nm a - m
working over the ander bilt lines, and the
Erie and the Baltimore Il Ohio have sev-
eral lines operating over them. The Chesa-
peake * Ohio sets the example. but one
line. the Kanawa DESPATCH. operating over
10.
Gossip About McLsod's Successor.
President Mcleod left Philadelphia yes
terday for Boston. Before going he was
asked whether his retirement from the
Reading would affect his standing as presi-
lent of the Boston 81 Maine and the New
York * New England roads, and refused
to say anything on the subject. He de.
clsred that his resignation does not indi-
CAFE that he will leave Philadelphis. John
Low Der Walsh, who was suggested as Mr..
McLeod's successor. yesterday denied that
he would become the Readings president
and sald he thought President Joseph s.
Harris. of the Lehigh Coal 81 Navigation
Company, would be the man. As Mr..
Walsh has been closely Identified with the
management of the Reading road for years
1t 10 believed that he knows whereof he
speaks
said 1t 10 not necessary for the appointment
of q third receiver to take Mr.. McLeod's
place. They would not say whether . cue
cessor to the retiring receiver will or will
not be appointed. The appointments would
be made By the court. Thomas Dolan. until
recently adirector of the Reading. admitted
that the future president would be neither
John Wanamaker, George G. Thomas Of
Drexel d. Co.. nor John Louber Welsh. and
described the next head of the road az q
practical railroad man and o philadelphia.
This Is supposed to apply TO Mr.. Harris.
The board of directors have tho power to
appint Mr.. MoLeod's successor to serve un-
til the next annual meeting. but will prob
ably take no action thereon until on or aft
or May ]. when Mr.. McLeod's resignation
will 60 into effect.
New Deal In Passenger Busiuess.
At q meeting OF the Western Passenger
Association. at Chicago yesterday, the
transmissouri lines agreed to give the chair
man of tho Western Passenger Association
control of their business west of the Mis-
sonri river. it being understood. however.
that the local business in the States of Col.
OEbuOs b8b anu mOutduA euall % ouUJcCt
to the Jurisdiction Of the roads alone. The
local business in Kansas and Nebraska is.
however, now brought under the super
vision of the Western Passenger Associa-
ton. lie being understood that the lines In
that territory are to be controlled directly
by Q committee to be called the
transmIssouri committee of the West
ern Passenger Association. The action
of this committee on business pertain
ing strictly to that territory 10 to
1A H~I mr. 1. hA aa h2 An
missouri committee Is to have Dothing to
say on the question of business belonging
to the roads east OF the Missouri river. In
addition to vesting the entire control Of the
new arran cement IN the chairma an of the
Western Passenger Association. q secretary
IL to be appointed. with headquarters ai
Kansas City, 10 handle such work In that
territory as may be given out by the chair.
man OF the association or by the committee.
After settling this matter the meeting took
MP the agreement OF the association. which
was revised by the association last week,
and passed it entire. The points on which
the passen ger agents werenot able to agree
were then considered. and one of the small
est was arranged. The others will be con.
sidered to-day.
Two Cents Per Mile.
The lines of the Central Traffic Associa'
tion held two meetings at Chicago yester
day TO settle the matter of worlds fail
rates. The principal meeting. which wal
held by the general managers. was not able
to accomplish anything definite, End ad
journed until to-day. The other meeting