The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1895-04-22
AN OFFICIAL GRUMBLE
LOCAL FREIGHT BUSINESS HEAVY,
hut PROFITS DISAPPOINTING.
Nearly 5000 More Loaded Cars Ham
died Last Week than In the Corre-
sponding Week Last Year.

Said railroad official in the auditors de-
partment: II do not understand how it is
that while our lines and, in fact almost
every road in the Indianapolis territory,
are carrying larger tonnage than ever
before in March and April, and more than
roads in otter territory, the increase in
gross earnings is meager when compared
with the increase in business handled, each
week showing several thousand more loaded
cars handled, while the percentage of in
crease in earnings falls below what one
would expect. In looking into the matter
find that our lines are handling at least
30 per cent. larger tonnage in the way of
through business, with very slight in
crease in earnings per mile Travelled. This
il evidence to me that the Indianapolis
lines are handling through business at rates
which leave very small, il any, margin
Of profit. and further notice that SO far
as our lines are concerned, and inquiry
convinces me that 1T Is true with other
lines, the increased earnings which are
shown come from local business. all roads
living up to tariffs local freights, and
each week showing an improvement of late
business Is concerned' am am fuliv satisfied
that the present conditions are far from
healthy from business point OF view, and
were our lines to handle a lighter tonnage
and carry 1t at better rates the results
would be much more satisfactory The
question of profits on business handled with
each year is becoming more important, as
roads are now being operated on the most
economical basis. In the passenger busi-
ness, just now at least, the situation is
much more healthy than in freight traffic,
as passenger. rates are maintained with a
stricIness which has not been as noticeable
for years.
Increase i'm Local Freight Trafic.
The train records show that in the week
ending April 20 there were received and
forwarded at indianapolis Is, 423 loaded cars,
increase of 704 over the week ending
April 49,; compared with the corresponding
week of 1894 an increase of 2,7S3 loaded cars
is shown this year. While nearly all In
dianapolis lines last week showed more or
less of an increase the most gratifying
feature is that the increase was wholly in
local business, which was carried at good
rates when compared with the through
rates which have prevailed of late. Ship
ments OF grain east bound last week were
the lightest of any week for months, the
low rates via Chicago drawing the grain
from points west of here, and the ship
ments OF live stock east were the highest
realine products, produce and provisions
are heavier than for many months past,
but not sufficiently so to offset the lighter
Der. West-bound business, comparatively
speaking, Is heavier than In April last year,
month. In the lower-class freights the tom
mage is now In excess of any period since
the depressed times came over the iron in
dustries. In local business a decided in
crease is shown, there being handled at
Indianapolis in cut and inbound freights
fully one thousand more loaded cars than
in the week ending April 10, which means
decided increase in earnings of the Indian
apo's stations of the several roads. At
some of the city freight depots the force
of platform men has been increased at 9TH
ers the men have been working overtime.
and local freight agents are much encour-
aged over the outlook Below is given the
car movement for the weeks ending April
20 and April 13 and the corresponding week
last year: