The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1896-09-18

Ohio 200 or more carloads of grain, to be
shipped via Newport News, ana II IS
thought in railroad circles that the adj
vance in rates will not materially cut down
the grain movement, which has set In SO
heavily, both via Newport News ana BAL
timore, as these points have dlHerentlai
which is of InuCn advantage under present
conditions.
An official of the Indianapolis. Logans-
port & Chicago stated yesterday that had
the Board of Public Works treated the
company as it deserved in the matter OF
giving it right of way TO a connection
with the Union tracks to-day over ]. 060 men
would be at work the line grading and
laying rails, as, contrary to most railway
enterprises at the present time, this COM
pany has the money to proceed at once TO
build its road
The fast fruit train the Big Four has
been running over its Michigan division
south since July % Will be discontinued
next week The train was put on at the
suggestion of General Superintendent Van
Wrinkle and has been successful. Its run
ming time from Benton Harbor to Anderson
was a little over six hours; distance, 165
miles. Tuesday night the train was made
up of sixteen ventilated fruit cars and five
refrigerator ears OF fruit, consigned TO Bos-
ton.
Western passenger men complain that
Commissioner Donald, of the Central Pas
senger Committee, is dilatory in giving de-
cisions. 1t is alleged that before he an
swers a question of any Importance he
submits the matter to the Joint TRAFFIC As
ISOLATION and then bases his decision on
what they advise. The feeling among
Western passenger officials is that he
should be given more authority, or the ex-
pense of him and his clerical force should
be dispensed with.
On Oct. the Chicago, Rock Island & Pa
cifc viii introduce the merit system all
over it's lines. Every employe will then
hold his position solely on his merits. This
is done with view to advancement of men
because of their efficiency in service. En-
ployes as heretofore viii be discharged
for drunkenness. either on or off duty, for
drinking intoxicating liquors when on duty,
r9t>Ti Afta
low resort, for incompetency, dishonesty
and INSTRUMENTATION, or any other serious
offenses.
Railway circles are somewhat surprised
that General Passenger Agent Scull, of the
Baltimore & Ohio, has filed a request with
the Joint Traffic Association asking that
the r. e. O. be given differentiai rates on
Pittsburg and New York and Pittsburg and
Philadelphia business, in both directions
He wants difterential of 81 on first-class
tickets and of so cents on second-claSs
Should this be granted, the Pennsylvania,
which has the longest route between New
ferential on that line.
The Interstate-commerce Commission met
at Chicago yesterday to hear complaints
against various railroads. Only one case
was heard-that of Paine Brothers & Co,
Milwaukee grain shippers against the Lee
high Valley, the New York Central and
other Eastern lines, the Charge being that
small grain shippers to Eastern points are
Disseminated against. The commission
continued the case until next month, and in
the meantime it is expected that the roads
and shippers will reach an agreement
which will make any action on the part OF
the commission needless.
The American Passenger and Ticket
Agents Association, which has been in
session at Atlantic City, N j., adjourned
to meet at St. Louis October, 1887. w. i.
Martin, of the c., c. c. 81 ST. l.. railroad,
was selected as orator of the next con-
vention. The last day was occupied in de-
tees on the question of interline tickets
and unlimited time tickets and the adop-
ton of a new fibre paper for tickets. the
only one of the subjects decided was the
fibre paper. Counterfeiting had become
source of trouble to the railroads and the
action taken is to prevent It. All the other
subjects were held over until the next
meeting to be taken under the mead OF uD-
finished business
a new system by which trainmen now re-
ceive orders while on the road without
stopping the train, as has always been
Stomary in the past. AS the train d9sheS
along at lightning speed there is expectan-
cy and wonder among the trains crew as
to whether or not they can catch the sus-
pended order bag or whether they will
back up for it, as in the old days. This
device is a semaphor, which consists of an
upright post set beside the track. AT
height equal to that of the cab window are
placed two arms, about two feet apart,
which. when the semaphor is set with or
ders, extend toward the track. A sack
containing the order, incloSed in a water
proof envelope, is suspended between the
arms. Recent tests have shown that or
ders can be taken with perfect safety when
the train is moving at a speed OF fifty
miles an hour