The Wichita daily eagle. [volume] (Wichita, Kan.) 1890-1906, 1897-03-28

1888
cession-RaiIway News
Chicago, March 27.-The executive Of
fIcers of the western roads met today to
consider a number Of questions brought
I'D by the approaching dissolution of the
Western Freight association and the
Western Passenger association.
The principal matter that came up for
consideration was the fate Of the chair
men OF the associations and their en-
pIoyes. To some OF these men the roads
are under bond to pay their salaries for
a number of years. They were compell-
Fl 10 bind themselves in this way in or
der TO secure the men from positions
will. Of course, be provided for, as both
are men OF unquestioned ability In rail-
road affairs, and il is altogether likely
that provision will be made for the small
Ter officials Of both associations.
SMALLER ORGANIZATIONS.
Another matter that came up for long
and earnest consideration IS the tate OF
the smaller organizations, which are in
large part dependent upon the life OF the
main organization. These smaller insu-
tutions are the weighing bureaus, clas-
sifrcations committees, and the like,
which have no rate-making powers, but
at the same time are interested IN the
rates. It is not believed that these or
eaniZa tons come within the scope OF the
supreme court, but the executive officers
are somewhat in doubt on the matter.
No action was taken on any Of the mat
ters today, but it was the unanimous
opinion that the roads cannot get along
without their weighing and classical
ton organizations and that some meth
cd must be devised by which they can be
retained.
LONG AND SHORT HAUL.
The Chicago lines have secured an i'm
portant concession from the Interstate
Commerce commission regarding the
long and short haul clause Of the law.
For some time the Canadian Pacific has
been making reduced rates TO the koot-
enai gold fields, and as there was quite
a large amount Of the business in sight
the Grand Trunk was anxious 10 have
share of il, and its Chicago connections
were anxious to assist il. The difficulty
arose. however, that in meeting the
rates via Chicago a large number Of in
termediate rates would be affected. and
the long and short haul clause Of the law
would be violated. The western roads
united with the Grand Trunk in petition
ing the commission for a special dispen-
sation regarding this business. IL has
been granted and now the rates of the
Canadian Pacific will be met via Chica-
go.
ELECTRICITY.
Since the worlds fair. the Illinois Gen.
trail has given close attention to the de-
velopments in the electrical appliances
for the operation of passenger trains, in
the expectation that electricity might Ill
tinately be substituted with profit for
steam, a 5 a motive power for its subur-
ban business. In 1892, reports on this
subject were made to the company by
its chief engineer and supern tendent Of
machinery. Last autumn these officers, !
together with the general superintend-
ent, were appointed committee TO in
vestigate and report upon the practic-
ability of Introducing electricity in the
place of steam power in the operation Of
the company's suburban trains. The
committee, after an exhaustive investi-
cation, submitted their report, March T., +
and at a meeting Of the board of direc- !
tors Of the company held in New York
on March 15, the board formally ap-
proved the substitution of electric power /
for steam in the operation OF its local (
suburban trains and authorized the pres (
ident 10 take the necessary steps TO car |
ry out the order of the board
THE ST. LOUIS ROADS.
d. LOUIS, lhdTCn Zl--1le action or a
majority of the St. Louis roads in plac-
ing themselves in line with the supreme
court decision has rendered both the /
Southwestern Traffic association and the
Southern Freight association practically
imperative.
The Southwestern association is now
practically without a membership.
So far, official notices of Withdrawals
have been received from the Santa Fe.
Rock Island. Southern Pacific, Texas
ana Pacific. Missouri Pacific, Iron Noun
tain and Frisco lines.
Though the Missouri. Kansas and
Texas and Cotton Belt have not vet for
mally withdrawn. they are transacting
no business with the association. They
are doing nothing which might bring
them in conflict with the law and are
only awaiting the result OF conference
of railroad officials and attorneys 10 be
neld in s.. Louis on Monday.
Although the Missouri Pacific and Iron
Mountain roads are the only ones that
have so far withdrawn from the South
ern Traffic association, their action has
had the effect Of gripping the organi-
cation and rendering IL imperative. The
Louisville and Nashville, Mobile and
Ohio. Illinois Central and the ST. LOUIS
Transfer company are still nominalIy