The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1896-03-25
ENCOURAGING SIGNS
RAILWAY MANAGERS MORE CHEER
Full OVER IMPROVED EARNINGS.
Some of the Outside Ticket Omces TO
BE Closed-ProbnbIe Manager of
the Brice Lines in Ohio.

Railway officials are much encouraged
over the Improvement I'm earnings with
many OF the roads last year and thus far
his year up to March |. since which time
they have not made quite so favorable ex-
hibits, but this is because OF unfavorable
conditions, March having been an unusually
severe month and the country roads almost
i~mpassable. The latest report OF the
Financial Chronicle places the gross earn
ings for the year 1896 on 161, 239 miles Of
American railways at sl,129. Il 1884, an in
crease over 1894 of SCI. 92S, 500. The Pennsyl-
vania heads the list with an increase of
$1s,5oo,oo and this year the exhibits have
been very gratifying. The Chronicle says:
ut is a long time since we have had such
a favorable statement of railroad gross
earnings as that now presented. The ex-
hibit for January was good; that for Feb
ruary is better. On the roads given
the increase reaches $4,199.177, or 1852 per
cent. With the exception Of last July, when
comparison was with the period Of the
great railroad strike of 1894. this is larger
both in ratio and amount than the gain
shown in any of the early monthly state
ments since February, 1SS2Cthat Is. just four
years ago. 1t was noted in reviewing the
results for January that the Improvement
had been growing larger each month Of
late, and of course This is more emphatical-
ly true now than before. the gain for Feb
ruary at 1852 per cent. comparing with 1898
per cent. for January. 9.15 per cent. for
b pseem s'se pee per per gent. eeh for October 1Sf r0'e and
4.57 per cent. for September. A fact which
should not escape notice. however, is that
creases in February Of each of the three
preceding years.
Equipment to he Kept fin Repair.
"A good deal is being said by the press"
said a superintendent Of motive power,
about the railroads cutting down their
shop forces and the number OF hours of
work. This should not be a surprise. On
our own line and on other roads the last
twelve months more men were employed
than at any former period, 50 heavy was
business and so run Down had equipment
become prior to the Improvement. For sew
eral months every car which could be COM
manded was In use. and repairs were has
tened. After the cars had been once re-
paired the work began to fan on; Nearly
so that 1t was not necessary TO work a
larger force than usual, nor the force re-
tanned full time. / think that as soon as
business improves, which will be when the
country roads get better, all the shops viii
resume working full time, but | doubt IL
IN many years the conditions will be such
as they were a year ago, when freight
equipment and power probably were In as
bad condition as they wen could be and
keep up appearances. Every railway man
agement, when ii begins to economize, COM
mences on Its shops. Still, l think that
in the future railway arrangements Will
see the wisdom of keeping their equipment
In good order, that they may be prepared
to handle business when ii comes. When
the Improvement commenced last summer
many Of the roads Were in bad shape as
to equipment"
Tramc anager and Freight Agents
The recent meeting OF the board Of traffic
managers of the Joint Traffic Association, in
regard to elevator transfer charges, caused
considerable dissatisfaction among the lines
interested There was a meeting yesterday
at the offices of the trunk lines. In New
York. attended by General Freight Agent
Brown. OF the Chicago & Grand Trunk;
Freight Traffic Manager Mitchell and AS
sistant General Freight Agent Hand. OF the
Michigan Central; Freight Manager Gram
mer and Commercial Agent Clark. of the
the. Nickel-plate; General Freight Agent Nc
Abe, OF the Panhandle:. General Western
Traffic Manager Harriott and General
Freight Agent Thomas, of the Erie: General
Freight Agent knight. Of the Wabash: Cen
eral Freight Agent Cost. of the Big Four;
diana, Decatur & WESTERN: Assistant Cen
eral Freight Agent Gowan, Of the Rock
Island. General Freight Agent M9watt. OF
Eastern Agent Mosher, of the Baltimore d
Ohio. No positive conclusion was reached In
regard to the rates TO be adopted. and an
which 1t is expected some definite under
standing will be reached respecting the rates
to be put into effect
The southern Pacific Warned.