Evening journal., 1897-04-08
DAWN is BREAKING,
THE CLOUD OF BUSINESS DEPRES-
SION is PASSING OVER.

LOCAL RAILROAD MEN UNANI-
NOUS IN THEIR OPINION THAT
WILMINGTON WILL EXPERT
ENCE PROSPEROUS TIMES SOON.
RAILROAD BUSINESS INCREAs-
ING.
Local railroad men are almost unani-
nous in their belief that better times
are at hand. and that a wave of pros
perlty is liable to visit this section Of
the country In the near future.
Railroads, as a rule. are pretty good
thermometers by which the amount or
volume of trade In general can be as
certained. Just at the present the rail-
road thermometer Is in a condition that
is highly encouraging.
All three OF the railroads which pass
through Wilmington are not only show
ing substantial increases in business.
both freight and passenger, over the
corresponding month CT a year ago, but
traffic is steadily getting heavier, when
that of the past three months is con-
sidered. On the r., w. q ID. lines the
passenger trains all appear to be filling
up, and the travel to and from Will
mington Is showing ND better every
day. Ticket Agent Appleby stated this
morning that the receipts of the office
were on the jump and If they contin-
ued to increase at the rate they have In
the past six weeks. It would not take
long for them to equal those CT the
good old times of yore.
The Spring or Summer schedule viii
60 into effect in a short time. and II Ii
/ rumored that several new local trains
will be placed on. The freight business
especially the through traffic from thl
South. is looking up. Many extra train
of from twenty-five to forty cars each
are being run now daily. These wer
not seen a month back to any great ex
tent. over the Delaware division, IN
freight business is beginning to shoN
signs of a boom, which may reach her
In the early Summer The traffic II
vegetables and early fruits from point
on the New York, Philadelphia ant
Norfolk railroad is daily growing II
proportion, a half a dozen trains be
ing required to haul It. This frelgh
does net go through Wilmington, bu
passes over the New Castle and Edg
Moor branches. The Atlantic Coast
Seaboard Air Line and other dispatcl
routes Of the Pennsylvania railroad ar
carrying larger and better payln
trains than was the case in March o
February
Preparations are already being mad
lby the Delaware road for the handlin
of the fruit crop. Strawberries an
ether varieties of early fruit will ec,ips
all previous years in quality and quan
tity of the product. A number Of fruit
growers who were seen on north
bound train this morning, were q
the opinion that the Peninsula wOul
see its largest crops Of everything out
side Of peaches this season. Peaches
while they look well. do net promis
an exceptional crop.
The B. g. o. railroad people are ais
encouraged at the outlook from a loci
standpoint at least The company
passenger and freight business show
an immense increase over the sam
neriod CT the previous year "Ou
through traffic" said b. & o. officii
this morning. certainly gives u
cause for rejoicing. More and heavi'
trains are being run now than ha
been the rule since the panic Of '93.
4 passenger way our Philadelphia an
Washington travel could not be bette
| for this season of the year" The w.
] N. people also report business lmpro'
= ing at a rapid rate.
It is needless to state, that nearly a
r the manufacturing establishments al
q paying considerably larger freight bill
I than they were year ago. More bus
& ness Is the only cause for this.