The Wichita daily eagle. [volume] (Wichita, Kan.) 1890-1906, 1897-09-05

freight and particularly or grain. Chi
cago received 57,474 cars of grain. Last
year the receipts were only $3.50 cars.
The nearest approach to the total of Au-
gust, 1897, was for the corresponding
month of 1892, when sc, 7S8 cars were re-
ceived.
Arrivals of corn last month surpassed
all preceding records, the total being 3d.
years heavy receipts.
Increased receipts and shipments are
not confined to grain alone, but are re-
ported for nearly every staple.
Receipts Of lard have more than douo-
led those Of last year. Butter receipts
have increased third. Live stock re-
ceipts remain about the same, though
slight Increases for the present year are
shown. Wool receipts surpass those OF
last year by more than 100000 pounds.
Receipts Of potatoes are more 10000
bushels ahead of those of last year.
Flour receipts fell off slightly. but the
decrease was only for the day shown.
Shipments also show decided increases
over the 1st day Of September OF last
year. Wheat was forwarded in quanti-
ties exceeding last year by nearly 100000
bushels Corn freights were larger by
nearly 1000, 900 bushels. Oats shipments
more than doubled. Rye increased TO-
900 bushels. Lard freights show an in
crease of about 100000 pounds. Potato
shipments increased nearly 1000 bushels.
The railroads are not alone in the en-
joyment of increased traffic. Lake lines
as well are enjoying the boom, particu-
larly in shipments OF grain, for nearly
all the enormous totals of that commod-
ity reported have gone forward TO the
east by way of the lake lines.
While it is almost impossible to report
accurately the exact number Of cars Of
freight received daily by all the railroad
lines entering the city, some idea Of the
traffic may be gained from the reports
of the state grain inspector. These re-
ports include only grain, and perhaps
not all Of that, for a glut Of the yards
makes it almost impossible for the in
spectors to finish each days work as 1t
piles up. For September l, however, the
report shows that 2,171 cars of grain
were inspected.
This was only a small part OF the
freight handled by each Of the lines 1t
includes only grain. Shipments of gen.
eral merchandise and such staples as
lard, butter cheese, wool, potatoes and
live stock amounted 10 millions Of
pounds and filed hundreds Of cars. The
grain inspection report shows, for in
stance, only $40 cars for the Burlington
road. The actual number which passed
Aurora coming east up 10 midnight OF
September 1 was 1,15S, as against 756
for the corresponding period Of last
year. The report for the Santa F'e shows
sixty-ore cars, though the actual re-
ceipts nthis city for the day were 249
cars, as against 158 for the corresponding
period of 1896. The Rock Island is re-
ported as having 337 cars of grain, but
its total receipts We're nearly 500 cars.
Northwestern officials do not give out
statements OF their loaded car move
ment, but 1t is known that their receipts
in this city for September 1 closely ap-
preached those of the Milwaukee and st.
Paul.
The figures here given are for Chicago
only and take no account of the ship
ments to other commercial centers or
local consignments. Neither do they in
clude shipments of anything but staples,
for no general account is kept Of mis-
cellaneous consgnments. While the
Burlington reports 1,15S cars received in
Chicago for September l, for instance,
the total number OF cars loaded during
that day over the entire system was
3 $40 A corresponding difference applies
To all the roads.
Figures reported for the first day OF
the present month, furthermore, are not
the largest by any means. Traffic men,
almost without exception, declare that
receipts and shipments for many days
of August surpassed those given for
Wednesday.
The enormous increase in traffic has
benefited others as we'll as the holders
OF railroad securities. Forces of work
men have been increased on most Of the
roads, and on all working hours in shops
and on the rails have been heightened,
50 that employees are making more
money.
Managers Of nearly all the lines state
that owing 10 the dull months of the i'm
mediate past the equipment Of their
the demand for cars and locomotives was
not great the crippled and disa bled
equipment was moved TO the shops in
order that men might be given employ
ment and preparations for war made in
lime of peace Even this work was not
sufficient to keep the forces going full
time, however. and on nearly if not all
the roads shop time was reduced great
ly. \ desire 20 reduce expenses when
incomes were steadily decreasing also
had much To do with the shortening Of
working hours.
Out on the rails the influence Of small
tonnage ana dwindling receipts was felt.
Regular crews were able 10 handle all
the business offered and in most cases
then had time 70 spare. These employees
are paid by trips and as the number OF
trips dwndlei because OF lack OF ton
mage their wages also decreased. Ex-
:ra men. Of which all roads have many
on their lists, who secure employment
only when regular crews are not able
II handle the business, received no work
at all.
Now managers report that regular
crews are working more hours than in
the past and that extra crews find much
10 do. The one class therefore receives
more money and the other gets wages,
when before none were paid.
TWO GIANT FREIGHT ENGINES
For.the Track just Turned Out In
Philadelphia.
Philadelphia. Sept. 4.-The Pennsyl-