The Indianapolis journal., 1894-04-25
AN INDEX OF BUSINESS
Lumber-Carrying Railways Have
Now Little Traffic.
Building Operations Seemingly at
Standstill-Emigrant Rates-In-
dianapolis Council n. L. U.

''There is one feature OF business" said
a railway official yesterday, (which is at
such a low ebb that it is telling seriously
right now on freight earnings That is the
lumber traffic. Not only are the Michigan
roads suffering perceptibly, but also their
connections. One year ago we were hand
ling on our system ten car loads of lumber
where we are now handling one, and, going
back to 1892 and 1891, the comparison would
be even more unfavorable Building all
over the country has apparently come to
nearly a standstill. Car works are idle
and using no lumber, and do not believe
the consumption OF lumber has been as
small in the last twenty-five years as thus
far in 1894. Not only has our north-and-
south-bound business gone all to pieces.
but also the eaSt-bound traffic; not one car
load of hardwood lumber is now being
shipped east from indianapolis or other
shipping points on our line where a year
ago five were sent The lumber traffic be
gan TO feel the depression in business in
April and May of last year.
The Meetings of BrOtherhoOds.
There Is good authority for saying that
the statement that the Big Four was to
have trouble on the st. Louis division has
no foundation. Matters all over the Big
Four system are moving along now with
more than ordinary smoothness. There was
"
brotherhoods of engineers and firemen, SIM
liar to those held all over the country. to
consider the question of supporting the
trainmen in the Great Northern strike.
which was ordered by the American Rail-
way Union, organization formed TO Grip
pie. and IL possible wipe out the old broth
erhoods. Grand Chief Arthur, of the Broth
erhood of Locomotive Engineers and Grand
Chief Sargent, of the Brotherhood of Loco
motive Firemen, take the position that
Dh nrxr haw~ % ehn hwNt thnr dc
named take employment on the Great
Eorthern he would not be censured by the
in taking that position, the chiefs did not
assume the whole responsibility, but asked
the brotherhoods at their respective head
question, and then act according TO their
own Judgment. "Still, any loyal member
of the brotherhoods who has read what the
organ of the American Railway Union has
said regarding their chiefs" saws one OF
their number, could hardly indorse any
strike ordered by President Debs or Vice
President Howard. ex officers of the old
organizations and their bitterest enemies. "
Becoming Strong Organization.
Indianapolis Railroad Council, No. $50, of
the National Union, composed entirely of
railroad officials, numbering over one hun
dred members. was instituted last evening
at Red Mems hall by Deputy T. A Iron
monger. of Toledo. o. Following are the
officers elected: President. ]. q. Hicks;
vice president, C. G.. Pierce, jr. speaker,
J. c. Smiley; ex-president, c A Vinnage;
recording secretary. w. n. Springer; finan-
cial secretary, j. @. Hollenbeck; treasurer,
i. +. Graham; chaplain, II. l.. Hale; usher,
w. Il. Fox; sargeant-at-arms, A. j. Al
drich: doorkeeper. Il. $. McNeeiey; medical
examiner, Dr. j. III. Oliver; trustees, w. t.
Cannon, G. ~ Rodney Z. j. Landers. This
Is the second council IF that order in this
city. Chicago has 106 lodges and Washing
ton, ID. c., twenty-six, each lodge represent
Ing department OF the government 1t is
also very strong i'm San Francisco Kansas
City. st. Louis. Milwaukee, Detroit To-
ledo. Cleveland, Columbus, Cincinnati and
various other cities.