Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1894-12-29
TO REDUCE FORCES.
Plans of c., N. & ST. p. and
States Express Company.
BAGGAGEMEN AND MESSENGERS.

about. the st. Paul Railway company
and the United States Express COM
pany will enter into a deal by which
the working force on all passenger
trains will be reduced about one
half. as tar as the baggage and ex-
press services are concerned. The
plan, which is in the interest of
economy, is to have one man attend
to both the baggage and express bus
mess on the trains, or where three or
four men are thus engaged now to
reduce the force to two. 1t has been
decided that ordinarily the baggage
car force can easily do the work of
handling the express matter, and in
the contemplated reduction the best
men, whether express messengers or
baggagemen, will be retained.
The earnings of the ST. Paul for
the first week in Decembe amounted
to 1915. 1913, while for the correspond
ing week Of last year they were $614,
2S9, thus showing decrease this
year OF 1881.
Gentry's Advancement
C. c. Gentry, assistant in the au-
ditor's office of the X. |. & P. rail-
way, has been honored with the ap-
pointment of assistant superintendent
Of the Wilmington & Hoosic Tunnel
railway, with headquarters at Reeds
borough, Vermont. With some iif-
teen years experience in the different
branches of railroad business, a
young man of energy and shrewd-
ness, Mr.. Gentry is fully qualified
for the duties of his new position.
There is a specified condition which
relieves Mr.. Gentry from the COM
pany's service at the expiration of
two years. providing he SO desires.
Although only a year in this city, he
has made hosts of friends, who will
wish him success in his new attain
ment.
| General Gossip
Engineer Jacob Dyer, OF the c., Il.
l. 4 p, is taking vacation.
Fireman Harry MCGEE, of the Rock
Island. is laid up with sickness.
G. c. jerks. brakeman on the c.,
b. & O.. is laid up with sickness.
c. c. Pratt's Rock Island engine,
the GIG, is in the Davenport repair
shops.
The 466 of the Rock Island. Frank
repair shop.
Brakeman w. A. Grains, of the c.
b. & e., is back at work, after a ,.
weeks vacation.
Firemen George Dodge and Tom
Mahoney, of the c.. II. l. & P, ar,
taking vacation.
Henry Bently is again ut the throt
tie of the 543, which is out of tn,
Davenport shops.
Supt. W. G. Besler, of the 40.
came up from Beardstown in hi
special car yesterday.
Frank Hodgdon's engine. the 500 OF
the c.. r. I. & F.. is being REPAIRS
IN the Davenport shops.
Mrs. Frank Hefrner, wife of Con
ductor Heffner. of the 90. is visit
ing with her folks at Beardstown.
No. Is. the c.. X. g. F. switch en-
CINE, presided over by Clarence MOI
ton, is receiving repairs in the shop
at Davenport.
Brakeman j. NJ. Hefner. of the c,
B. Il O., has recovered from
weeks battle with typhoid fever, an
is on duty again.
Engineer Ed Dempsey, of the c
b. e. O., sprained his wrist Will
Jerking back the lever of his engine :
Barstow the other evening and is lai
: up in consequence.
Mrs. j. Nj. Pelham, wife OF II
genial c., b. & Q. operator, accon
panied by her little daughter, arrive
home last evening from 3-month
visit with her parents at Louisvill,
Ky.
Brakeman Hi johnson and Firema
Ed Mosely, of the Rock Island, fea
ing the severity of the wintry atmo.
phcre, have folded their tents an
departed for the sunny south. The
will return with the blue birds.
Sam McAdams, for the past thrt
years night ticket agent for the c
r. ]. & p, has resigned, and wi
leave the company's employ Jan.
Mr.. McAdams has proven himself q
/ honorable and efficient servant, an
through his genial and accommoda
ing manners has cultivated hosts
| friends by whom he will be misses
\ He will be succeeded by job
Streeper, of Davenport.
The Railway Age, in its comput
ton of the railway construction
1894, says: The new mileage of 10!
is less than in any other of the la
90 years. and it is the least in tt
last 80 years. with the exception
1875, 1876 and 1865. The total mil
age constructed during the year W:
|, 1,919.12. Arizona heads the list, {
J. four roads, with 1913, Illinois is Sc
ond with 14S on eight lines. and Or
gon brings up in the rear with Il
file less than two miles of new rail
Il The report from Cincinnati tn
President Perkins, of the Chicag
Burlington & Quincy railroad,
\ l. L.