The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1898-12-13
SOME OF THE REPLIES.

Accompanying the foregoing communica-
tion was one giving the data on which the
first was based. This, in brief, was as fol-
lows:
I'm connection with the accompanying re-
port, we submit to you as an exhibit, the in
formation gathered by us, and we call your
attention first to letters received from two
engineers employed by railroad companies
in elevating tracks in Chicago. w. l.. Webb,
engineer of track elevation for the Chi
cage, Milwaukee & st. Paul Railroad,
writes: In answer to your favor of Nov. IS,
l will say in regard to the inconvenience
caused shippers, that the great majority of
shippers have not been affected in any man
ner whatsoever. One effect of elevation
has been TO reduce the number of side
tracks to private industries OF the few
shippers who are located along the tracks,
which have bean elevated, some have been
able to retain their shipping facilities and
smaller shippers have lost their side-tracks
and have been very much inconvenienced.
1t is my impression that track elevation has
had no effect on freight rates in Chicago
J.. H. Evans. engineer of track elevation
for the Chicago IL Northwestern Railroad,
writes: In regard to track elevation in Chi
cago, would say that we have solved the
problem in such a way as to cause no Sc
rious inconvenience TO shippers on the por-
lions of the road thus far elevated, and have
arranged similarly for connections with the
respective plans on the portion of the road
that we elevate next spring. Some of these
switch tracks are elevated and some are in
clined from the elevation to the old surface
level in the different plants The operating
department of the road is to a slight in
convenience on account of increased grades
from the shipper to the elevated district,
but ii does not prove to be at all serious.
l think that track elevation has caused no
increase or reduction in freight rates in
Chica CO.
Crafts. secretary of the Board of Railroad
Commissioners of Massachusetts, who SAYS:
Railroad freight rates have not been
increased at any points in Massachusetts on
account of the increased investment of a
railroad company in eevatng it's tracks.
The elevation of tracks. while a temporary
disadvantage for some shippers, has caused
10 increase of expense to shippers and on the
line OF the elevated tracks they now have
better Accommodations than formerly Ed
ward A. MoSeley, secretary of the Interstate
commerce Commission, writes i should an
swer from general knowledge of the rate adj
Justments in force throughout the country
during series of years, that freight
charges have not, as a matter of fact been
advanced on account of the elevation of
railroad tracks in American cities -
The testimony OF large shippers is set
forth in answers received directly from
them, from which the following extracts are
taken:
Marshall Field & Co., Chicago. IlI.-With-
out going into details, there can be no other
than favorable reply TO your inquiries with
reference to track elevation of steam rail-
ways and the adjustment of grade cross
ings. The chief advantage to us as ship
pers. Is that 1t permits the trains to enter
and depart from the city at a much more
rapid rate and with absolute safety TO peo-
pie crossing the different lines. Personally,
we are of the opinion that future franchises,
whether by state or city governments.
should compel the absolute abrogation of all
grade crossings, the two principal reasons
being safety to human life and that they
promote rapid transit.
Sprague, Warner & Co, by W. w Dodge
Manager Transportation Department Chi
cago-We find that track elevation has been
an advantage in handling our teams the de-
lays being less than formerly and liability
to accident at grade crossings wholly ehmf-
mated. There has been no appreciahle in
crease or reduction in freight rates on ac-
count of track elevation. Train service,
both freight and passenger. has been con-
siderably improved.
Mcneil & Higgins Company, Chicago
From our observation, we think that track
elevation Is going to be quite an advantage
to US in our shipping. There has not been
any increase or reduction In freight rates
on account Of the elevation of tracks, to our
knowledge.
John " Farwell Company. Chicago-There
has been no increase or decrease in freight
rates on account of track elevation.
Armour e. Co.. Chicago--Traclk elevation
in this city is only about half completed,
but so far we are unable to notice that ii
has been either serious Inconvenience or