The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1896-05-12
A BRIGHTER OUTLOOK
RAILROAD PRESIDENTS TAKE A
HOPEFUL VIEW OF THE FUTURE.
Faster Trains Between Cincinnati
and Chicago-Comments OF the
Press on the l.. f. & w. Report.

NJ E. ingalls,, president of the Big -Four.
who, In company with General Manager
Schan and Passenger Traffic Manager Nc
Cormick, spent the greater part OF last
week on the western lines in the Big -Four
system, returned to Cincinnati yesterday.
The trip of these officials not only helps
the road, but encourages business men, as
President ingalls, and Mr.. Mccormick in
variably present the bright side of the sit-
uation. Both are observing men, quick to
note any Improvement. and their remarks
while on the trip, coming in contact with
their own men and with business and news
paper men along their lines, tended to ere
ate an impression that better times are
near. President Ingalls, is more than pleased
with the excellent physical condition Of the
several divisions of the Big Four over
which they passed. Mr.. ingalls, says the Cal
TO division Is now doing a good business for
May, and, while not as heavy as last year,
It should be borne in mind that the volume
OF business last year with the Big Four
was phenomenal. and rates were not main
tanned by the Big -Four and its competi-
tors as well as this year.
Mr.. ingalls, is not the only railroad presi-
dent who thinks the worst has been passed.
George B. Roberts, of the Pennsylvania
lines, says there is no reason why the
United States, rich beyond computation in
natural resources, should not be the most
prosperous nation on earth. The forces ly-
ing dormant are enormous, and the magic
touch which will bring them to a point OF
activity rests with the people themselves.
The present drifting, aimless course cannot
continue indefinitely. Shrewd observers say
that we are now at the lowest point, and
that recovery is as certain as the coming
day. The underlying strength is, indeed,
manifesting itself in spots, and only a lit
tie encouragement is needed to force up
values to something more like their normal
standard. The recovery, however. will be
slow. with intermittent relapses, and recess
sions equal, perhaps TO gains.
Lake Erie q Western Report.
In commenting on the financial condition
of the Lake Erie & Western an Eastern
financial paper says: 1T IS interesting
mainly as showing the experience Of road
which depends largely for its prosperity up
on local traffic, both passenger and freight.
This road has been successful In maintain
ing dividend rate Of 5 per cent. on it's
preferred stock, even through the period of
business depression when many other roads
have barely been able to earn fixed charges
Not only have these dividend requirements
been met, but the company has had suffi-
GENTLY large balance to warrant it in using
a portion of its earnings for expenditures
for bettern1ents and equipment. The COM
pany is now paying dividends at the rate
OF per cent. per annum, having increased
the rate during the past year. Dividend
payments of per cent. on $40, 394, coo of cap
ital stock call for about $50 600, from which
II appears the company have earned about
$4,000 more than a per cent. dividend.
after paying interest charges and a decid-
edly increased amount for operating and
maintenance. The company has actually
paid dividends during the year amounting
to S457 1862, or AZ per cent. on the outstand-
ing capital stock. The years operations
show an improvement in respect TO what
Is commonly known as freight Density
Any Improvement like this tends TO reduce
expenses OF operating, especially when
coupled with a decrease in the freight train
mileage per mile. The above figures taken
together show that while the road is re-
ceiving low rates for carrying it's freight,
the management is endeavoring to show
every possible economy in the matter of
handling it,"