The times., 1899-07-18
WESTERN RAILWAY AFFAIRS.
Summer Business the Granger
Roads Breaks All Records.

Roads Breaks All Records.
Chicago, July 17.-Railway officials as
well as spectators who watch the signs
of the times closely are beginning to fig
ure on an immense tonnage for the West
ern lines, both east and west-bound, for
the fall and winter. Prospects at present
are the best in years, and with no dam
age to crops to materially curtail the
aggregate yield, there will be an abun-
dance of grain for all the granger lines to
handle. The latter part of June witnessed
the best traffic that the lines have ex-
perienced at that season in their history,
and July is doing equally well. Taking
the car movement as an indication of all
the roads, the Burlington made in June
showing that fairly surprised the officials.
Ii handled on its entire system over ILL.,
900 cars, an increase of -, ,206 cars over
last year, and of SO, ,945 cars over the same
time in 1897. So far this month the daily
movement has been 800 cars greater than
last years, or at the rate OF about $500
cars per day. The St. Paul, NortaW estern,
and Rock Island all report large gains
in traffic and the figures, If given out
would make a showing about in propor-
tion to that of the Burlington. The Rock
Island had the best June in its existence,
and is keeping to its record. The equip
ment of all lines is well employed, and
this is the season for a continued heavy
traffic.
Deliveries of grain here last week were
lis, 900 bushels in excess of the previous
week, and the largest by far for July in
over four years. They aggregated 6,717, 900
bushels, an increase of lis. 600 bushels over
the previous week, of 4,153, 600 bushels over
the same time last year, of 1,572, coo BUSH
els over 1897, and of 3,051 900 bushels above
1896. The movement of provisions was also
in excess OF last year. and the preceding
years, and westbound traffic made a good
gain. There is just now a prospect of some
slight let-up in the movement OF corn from
the West, most of that grain recently
bought will soon have been moved, and it
will require large increase in the trade
to keep ii up to its recent average. The
Pennsylvania road, which does most of its
business at Philadelphia and Baltimore
through one house is blocked with corn
for the time being. Any let-up in the corn
movement is likely, however. TO be follow
ed by traffic in wheat and oats large
enough to offset the loss.
The rate situation has at last been ad-
justed, SO far as Eastern territory is con-
cerned, in a satisfactory manner, unless
the Grand Trunk, which was not repre-
sented at the recent meeting of the presi-
dents by any of its officials, refuses to en-
ter the agreement to advance rates August
l. In the West the situation is not so ia
vorable. Ever since the failure of the ex-
ecutive officers of Western lines to arrive.
at an agreement with the Kansas City,
Pittsburg and Gulf the rate condition has
grown worse. 1t is not confined to the
Southwest alone, but is said to be extend
, ing to the Northwest. To make the posi-
tion more embarrassing, the Southern Pa
cifc has extended reductions made by its
Sunset route into North Pacific Coast
points. This may in turn complicate the
rate situation in the East. Western presi-
dents are to confer with the receiver OF
the Gulf Line in New York Friday, July
rs, when an agreement may be reached.
Passenger business has never been bet
ter at this season. All lines are carrying
full loads on their trains. and the Atchi-
son. Topeka and Santa Fe's traffic has in
creased TO such an extent that it has been
forced to put on three extra trains daily
TO handle it. This week will see 10000
people hauled to Indianapolis to attend the
meeting of the Epworth League. An eff
fort is being made to establish joint
ticket agency for all lines there TO prevent
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