The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1897-03-12
Mr.. M'CABE'S SUCCESSOR
j. ID. HILL TO BE GENERAL FREIGHT
AGENT OF THE PANHANDLE.
President ingalls, Takes an Epcourag-
ing view of the Situation-Other
Items of Railway News.

In official freight circles there was "A gen.
eral expression of satisfaction that James
b. Hill. general Western freight agent of
the Pennsylvania Company. had accepted
the position of general freight agent of
the Pittsburg, Cincinnati, Chicago 81 St.
Louis lines, succeeding ID. Il. McCabe, who
becomes general freight agent of the Penn
sylVania at Pittsburg. Mr. Hill was born in
Indianapolis in $780, was educated at AS
bury University Greencastle, and entered
railroad service when twenty years old
with the engineering corps of the then At
lantic 4, Great Western. In 1865 he accepted
the position Of travelling freight agent OF
the Union Star line, which brought him
back to this city as headquarters. In 1872
he was appointed agent of the Pennsylvania
line al Milwaukee, and in 1sS6 was promoted
general Western freight agent of the Penn
sylvana lines, with headquarters at Chi
cago, the position being created for him.
Mr.. Hill has been sought for by other
strong lines, but has always been loyal to
the Pennsylvania Company, and the present
promotion shows that his services have
been appreciated. Who will succeed Mr..
Hill at Chicago as general Western freight
agent has not been fully decided upon.
president Ingalls, lnterNteWeu.
NJ T.. ingalls,, president of the Big Four
and the Chesapeake x Ohio, takes Il very
pleasant view in most respects OF the fu-
ture of business. After speaking kindly OF
the administration of President Mckinley.
he expressed the belief that there would
be an era OF better times before he had
long been in office. Mr.. ingalls, said Just
as soon as the special Congress meets and
settles the tariff question, the good times
that are close at hand must arrive after
the duties are fixed. So far as that is con-
cerned the railroads of the country are al
ready beginning To reflect better times.
Their earnings show Improvement and,
even I'm the face OF unstable rates. they will
continue to improve Take the earnings of
February; they show an increase over those
of the same period last year and you will
find that March Will show greater improve
ment. The fact IL. OF course, tnat the rate
situation Is bad all over the country, ana III
is evident that there Is a disregard OF rates.
There is "a spirit of unrest abroad, and, 10
a marked extent. nervousness prevails IN
the railroad business. Some of the lines
outside of the Joint Traffic Association,
notably the Norfolk * Western and the
Clover Leaf. are making all sorts OF excuses
to reduce rates. and If this continues. II
must mean financial losses. 1 don believe
I'm the policy of summarily reducing rates.
IL certainly would be much easier 10 ar
legged abuses, no matter whether they are
secret or open. than To rush before the pub
lie with tariff involving sweeping cuts;
But the Norfolk AZ Western has promised
to Withdraw its tariff, and II II secures the
consent OF the Louisville * Nashville, II viii
do So
While | believe a full and general adj
herence 10 rates will not come To pass be-
fore next July. l am free TO declare that
am "A strong and firm believer in the joint
Traffic agreement. SO FAR as L am con-
ceTned / will contribute my part 10 It's
maintenance. and | believe II Is going 10
live. no matter what the United states CIR
cult Courut of Appeals may decide as 70
its legal makeup. The association Is alb
sOlutcly necessary. IL has done more in its
brief existence for the railroads of the East
than all the previous agreements combined
and If all the lines will pull together, much
good can be accomplished. L strongly adj
VOcate strengthening the organization
wherever practicable and possible, ana u
the courts decide that the agreement * IL
legal il will OF course be shown wherein
the Objectionable features lie. They cal
then b. shaped 10 meet the requirement.
Of nj I4xy