The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1895-06-15
RAILWAYCONDUCTORS
SUPERINTENDENT VAN wINkLE
SAYS FEW ARE DISHONEST.
Many Are blamed for Croekedness
takes-PanhandIe improvements.

J. @ Van Wrinkle. general superintendent
Of the Big -Four. says that recent article
In the Journal regarding his calling a con-
siderable number Of the conductors on the
Big -Four before him tended TO convey the
idea that all were dishonest, which was
not the case. There were unquestionably
some dishonest men among them, but the
majority were upright, and IL they made
mistakes is was through carelessness or
some neglect in complying with the rules
OF the company. A conductor who strictly
adheres to the rules OF the company in col
lecting cash fares would never have trou-
5le- He mentioned several cases, includ-
ing one which had come before him, in
which. on the face of the charge, 1t would
seem that the conductor was dishonest and
meant TO defraud the company, but when
Investigated it was shown that in making
his returns he had placed the cash received
between different points from those he
actually did receive cash fares. This
conductor" said Mr. Van Wrinkle, had
.e obeyed the rules of the company, would
have had no trouble. Instead OF recording
the cash fare at the time he received IL, he
waited until he had more leisure and then
filled out his report. as he supposed. correct
ly, and, OF course. he was greatly surprised
when called upon to explain. but 1t was
conductor TO do anything wrong. L had
rather a conductor would not stop to give
his train between stations than to give a
receipt and then report the cash fare in
correctly. as IL places him under the cloud
or dishonesty when II is not fair" Mr..
Van Wrinkle said he knew there were con-
ductors who would not be honest, no mat
ter how much salary they were paid, but
ne thought the majority of passenger con-
duetors should be classed as honest men,
and often when they are charged with
dishonesty IL was through some negligence
oa the part OF the conductor. and not with
an intention OF taking cent of money
which did not belong to them. con-
ductor, in speaking OF the Investigation
which has been made of late of twenty
or more conductors OH the Big Four said
that were the auditors department to do
q little more work IL would be much easier
Tor the conductor. and mistakes would
seldom occur unless the conductor made
the mistake Intentionally. I'VE now" said
lect the fares and do the auditing OF our
business In our reports. so that the auditor
the reporter the manner in which he was
Obliged To prepare his report, and IL was
very evident that the conductor has much
required OF him IN carrying out in full
the requirements OF the auditing depart
ment.
improvements on the Panhandle.
Ralph Peters. superintendent OF the Gin
cinnatf division OF the Panhandle lines.
gives interesting information as regards
improvements to be made on these lines.
Concerning the bridge to be rebuilt between
Cincinnati and Newport he says: MIR.
Peters Is president of the bridge company.
and the. structure is used i'm the interchange
OF business between the Louisville e. Nash
vile and the Panhandle. The contract for
the work involves expenditure OF 500. 600
and the improvements will give what Is
believed will be the finest bridge across she
Ohio. IL will be double-track highway,
douole-track street car and single-track
railway bridge. seventy feet wide. AT Big
Darby creek near West jefferson, on the
Cincinnati division. Mr.. Peters Is engaged
IN rebuilding the structure with new abut-
ments and new steel bridge to be rebuilt
by fall al an expenditure of so, 0O0" Regard
ing the improvements on the main line. she
nels on the Pittsburg division OF the Pan
handle between Dennlson and Steubenville
there will remain but nine miles to widen
TO give the road double track between
Columbus and Pittsburg. The contracts
are TO be placed In a few days and the
cost OF the Improvement will reach $3.50, 600
The nine miles still remaining has eighteen
bridges where the line spans Cross
creek. and this unusual percentage OF
bridges has made that the last part OF the
Job TO undertake"