The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1895-12-07
IN GOOD CONDITION
INDIANA RAILWAYS HAVE I'M
PROVED MUCH IN SIX YEARS.
Heavy Steel Rails Have Been Laid,
bridges Rebuilt, Grades Reduced
and Curves Strengthened.

Within the last few days a Journal re-
porter has conversed with the chief engi-
neers Of the more important systems of
roads which cross Indiana, and In each
case the chief engineer stated that never
in the history OF railways in the Central
Traffic Association territory have the lines
been in as good physical condition. In the
last six years more than one-half OF the
track mileage of main lines in Indiana had
been laid with new steel rail weighing from
sixty-seven to eighty pounds TO the yard.
and Is per cent. Of the wooden bridges have
been replaced with substantial iron struc>
lures, resting on stone abutments instead
Of driven pliing, and with such improves
ments the light rail taken up has been
laid for side tracks, greatly increasing the
facilities of the roads in that direction for
handling business, which, with each year.
is on the Increase. On several roads q
good deal OF business has been done IN re-
ducing grades and strengthening curves, the
Nandalia and the Lake Shore having ex>
pended hundreds OF thousands of dollars In
this direction IN the last five years. 1t has
been claimed that New York has the largest
mileage Of any State In the Union OF high
standard track, but Chief Engineer Becker,
of the Pennsylvania lines and Chief En-
that, when mileage is considered, the roads
of Indiana, OHIO and Illinois. especially the
two first-named States, would, on examina-
track as will the roads of New York or
Pennsylvania and the roads OF this state
and Ohio, taken as whole, were in better
physical condition, according TO all reports,
than are the New England roads, as, aside
from the New York. New Haven a. Hart
ford, no extensive improvements have been
made to the railways of New England.
May lie a Disturbing Element.
An official of the Chesapeake & Ohio. in
conversation with a Journal reporter on
Thursday, said that the presidents agree
ment was all right if all the so-called trunk
lines and important roads in the Trunk
Line and Central Traffic Association terri
tory were in il, but he feared that the Nor
folk & Western would be a disturbing ele-
ment, and this the chief competitor
OF the Chesapeake & Ohio. IF the Norfolk
K Western Is disposed SO TO no., he said,
lit could become disturbing element In
the situation, but 1 hope 1T can be brought
into the presidents agreement by becoming
a MEMBER of the new Joint Trafnc Associa>
with the Lake Erie & Western system from
Columbus, o., and with the Cincinnati,
Hamilton & Dayton from Cinc'nanti, via
the Cincinnati, Portsmouth & Virginia, over
which road it now worked it's Cincinnati
business A glance at the map Will snow
that the Norfolk & Western, the Lake Erie
& Western and the Cincinnati. Hamilton
& Dayton and Monon would open large
competitive territory to draw from, ana II
takes so little shading OF rates to divert
business when majority OF the ROADS arc
strictly maintaining rates that TINS COM
bination may become very mcnaclng eIe.
menc to the new Joint Traffic Association.
A Physical Line.
The Interstate-commerce Commission yes
terday announced its decision in the case
brought by L. j. Daniels against the Rock
Island and the Great Northern railway, in
volving Determinations in rates between
Sioux City. Sioux Falls and Duluth. The
word Zine" as used in the statute, the
commission rules, means n physical line
and not "a mere business arrangement, and
carriers are prohibited from charging
through rates on traffic over line formed
by connection OF two or more roads which
are less whole than the rates IN force
| on like traffic carried under similar condi-
| tons in the same direction over either oil
| the constituent roads In SUCH line. Inc de-
| regulation Of railroad charges according &c
| the ascertained rights OF persons and
| places: IL is not an agency Tor the reguia'
| ton of trade by enabling shippers and com
| munties 10 do business, or TO put them
| on even terms with rivals more remote
| from competitive territory. and continues
statute requires substantial modification fol
| the present disparity In rates from Chi.
cago to Sioux City and sioux tails and
under present conditions sucn disparity III
rates from Duluth 70 Sioux City and Sioux
Falls should be discontinued
Mr.. Youse's Promotion.
]. +. Youse who, on the reorganizing OF
the Ohio Southern, was dropped as its gen
| eral freight agent has been appointed gen
| eral freight agent OF the Columbus g. Hook.
| ing Valley. Mr.. Youse began raiiroadine
| on the Cincinnati, Hamilton & Dayton as
clerk at the Connersville ticket office; later
! he became telegraph operator and agent al
| that station; afterwards he was appointed
| travelling freight agent for the road, will
headquarters at Indianapolis; later he wa:
| appointed agent of the company at Toledo
one OF the c., Ii. 4 DIS most importan