The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1897-11-08
joint Traffic Presidents to Nee

JOINT Tran1c Presidents to Meet
A call has been issued for a meeting of
the board of control or presidents IF the
roads in the Joint Traffic Association. to he
held in New York Nov. 16. The object of
the meeting is to have the presidents dis
cuss the rate situation both east-bound and
west-bound, and at the same time effect
such measures as will tend to reduce the
present decentralization in nearly all classes
of rates. Since the last meeting of the pres
idents last month the west-bound situation
has not improved, owing to the existence of
contracts, which will not expire until after
jan i. East-bound, whatever elements of
improvement appeared as a result of the
presidents determination to force a mainte-
nance Of rates, were destroyed by the ac-
ton or the Northwestern lines in Juggling
with export flour rates. A result of the
cuts in flour rates has been a general Is
turbance in east-bound rates AT .tll Joints
and generalization has followed The
500" has been generally accused of iYuu-
gurating the cuts on east-bound -four rates
and of being primarily responsible for the
present disturbance, but the statement of
Chairman Midgley, of the Western Joint
Traffic Bureau shows that the 500 has
IN no way precipitated the present trouble.
Mr.. Midgley was before the Joint Traffic
managers yesterday and he plainly stated
that the 500 was in no way responsible
Tor the existing Generalization. All IF
which is taken to mean that some of the
Northwestern lines out of Chicago with
Eastern connections started the trouble
The presidents will be asked to act on the
present situation, and among other things
VIII be some pass agreements for neAt year
Still Pursuing "A Conservative Policy.
The Pennsylvania Railroad appears to be
getting economical and according to re-
ports it is not probable that they will cen
struct any more freight cars for some time
to come. An effort is being made by the
out of each freight car, and in this way it
is proposed to cut down the expense made
necessary by the increase in new rolling
stock. Officials of the road contend that
the average mileage of freight car is less
than thirty miles a day and sometimes falls
below twenty-five. This they consider too
small a mileage and efforts are being made
TO keep the cars in motion as much pos
Sible. There will be no more extensions
made at the Altoona shops for some time.
and any money that may be set aside for
this purpose will undoubtedly be used to
improving the facilities for the quick man
ufacture of any rolling stock that may be
required. The companyS officers have de-
signed a steel truck which will undoubtedly
supplant the wooden trucks now in use on
its freight cars. 1t is made of pressed steel
100000 pounds. This truck is stronger and
costs less for maintenance than the ordi-
nary wooden truck.
u. Il. Foreclosure Sale Confirmed.
Judge w. H. Sanborn, of the United
States Circuit Court, at St. Paul. has con-
firmed the government foreclosure sale of
the main line of the Union Pacific Railroad
Most of the distinguished counsel who were
in st. Paul representing various parties in
interest were present when the formal order
was made The sale that was confirmed
was the sale of last Monday under the fore
closure on the part of the government
when the reorganization committee bid up
wards of $5S.0O0,000 for the governments
claim on this road. On Tuesday there was
a second sale under foreclosure of the first
mortgage bonds controlled by the reorgan-
ization committee. 1t is probable that Judge
Sanborn will be asked to confirm the sale
on Monday, as Winslow S. Pierce. Law
renee Greer and Charles 3. Smith repre-
senting the reorganization committee, and
the Sage and Gould trusts, will remain in
St. Paul until that time.