The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1895-01-23
Inemcient hallway service.

To the Editor of the Indianapolis Journal
Much has been said and printed in the
last few years about legislation concerning
railroad rates. but little, il anything, has
been done in the way of requiring rail-
roads to do business more efficiently and
promptly. The commercial and business
world to-day Is suffering more from the
carelessness and negligence of public car
riers than from excessive rates. Unless
there Is great strife and competition
for business among railroads. the word
accommodation has no place in their
category. And the business secured
there is no effort from that on to hasten
its delivery. A few examples from my
own experience will explain what | mean
On Jan. i shipped car of wood to the
packing houses at Indianapolis, and on
the 18th l got word that the had not
arrived. / Immediately started a tracer
after that car. but up to this date i have
no assurance that 1t has yet arrived You
may say that this is exception. Well
no; for during the last fall and winter /
shipped some ten cars of wood to kingan
a. Co., and in no case did they arrive under
from seven to ten days. Last summer
car OF tin cans was shipped from Chicago
for our canning factory at this place; it
was eight days on the road and would not
have been delivered then # we had not,
by diligent efforts and search on our part,
discovered the car in the freight yards at
always cause OF great loss and provoca-
ton to the shippers.
Again shipped a lot Of clover seed from
this place to Goshen, Ind, short time
ago and II two weeks the road
In 1888 l shipped pressed brick from Akron.
o., to this place, and the cars were always
from two to three weeks on the way.
Should business men do business in this
manner they would be ready for a receiver
in six months. Who among railroad men
or any other class would cali this reason
able service? 1t is strange to me that leg
i9lat0rG ALREADY taken hold M
this matter and given some relief and as
surance to the commerce of the land.
When a of goods is delivered TO ship
per the railroad company demands that 1t
be unloaded in forty-eight hours. or track
age of so much day is charged. Why
should not the 49, shipper, then, be
beyond reasonable time for their transit?
Georgia has such law and assesses PEN
beyond a reasonable time. The trouble is
not with the agents and general officers of
the roads; but with the crews that have
charge of the freight trains. They will
leave cars side switches for days and
weeks at time. or until they are forced
the enraged shipper. With penalty star
ing the road in the face such negligence and
carelessness would soon disappear, and rail-
road business would be done with more
efficiency and satisfaction.
Such legislation as is here suggested is
practical is of no hardship to railroads
and OF immense value to every shipper in
the State. This subject may be deemed OF
minor Importance by those Legislators who
who deal only in law and politics. but 1t
is plain business proposition that effects
the whole commerce and business of the
State. and relief on this line would be
hailed with delight by every business man
of the State. Let this Legislature give the
State more business legislation and not so
have served your State and party best and
will receive the approval of the people
whom you represent,
Noblesville. Ind, Jan. 81