The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1900-10-18

Springfield, o., to be reballasted. The COM
ing year a large amount of new heavy steel
Will be laid on this division, bringing II up
TO the excellent standard Of the western
division.
A high official of the Pennsylvania line
states that the Improvements on roadbed,
bridges and leased lines would call for an
expenditure beyond anything in the his
tory of the Pennsylvania line. and although
the figure OF SIC, 600. 600 was given out as the
cost OF such Improvement by the press OF
Philadelphia, 1t is not wide Of the mark
George Lowell. general superintendent of
the MOnon lines, is in the city. He states
that the stone and lumber traffic of the line
Is increasing. and decreased earnings in
comparison with last year will now cease.
The decrease the last few weeks has been
entirely due TO the strike troubles Ia Chi
cago. Comparisons since July / are made
with the largest earnings in the history OF
the Mouon lines.
George I. Jarvis on taking the position
of general manager of the Wisconsin Cen
trail has a big task before him. Unfortu-
nately the road Is largely dependent upon
other roads for terminal facilities. 1t pays
S53S,1Si per annum for terminal rentals.
When the improvements at Minneapolis
are completed he can cut down this out
lay fully so per cent. These changes may
unsettle traffic for the time being. but will
enable him to make important economies
when they are finally completed.
An official of the Erie line says the time
is not far distant when the Erie Railroad
will be double tracked between Chicago
and New York. Results demonstrate the
wisdom of the policy adopted by President
Thomas. The report for the last fiscal year
shows that in every way the Erie system,
which was the first great trunk line in the
country. is now in better condition than
ever before. President Thomas is accumu-
latfng working capital to carry out great
plans for the betterment Of the property.
During the past year the Chicago &
built 44 miles Of new line
through the most fertile portions of Iowa
and Minnesota. These new lines of rail-
way are now in full operation and are
dotted with promising towns. which are
trade centers for well located communities.
"A descriptive pamphlet, with a list OF the
business opportunities in each town, may
be obtained upon application TO agents of
the Chicago d Northwestern Railway or to
w. 3. Kniskern, general passenger and
ticket agent, Chicago, III.
On Sunday last a large number of the
employees of the Lake Shore road held an
all-day session in Toledo and considered
various plans for the proposed pension sys-
tenn, and although there were some oppo-
nents. they were much in the minority and
did not fight the plan at all. A plan was
finally adopted embracing a large number
of conditions, the chief feature of which
was that the men agree to allow the rail-
roads TO retain one-fourth of = per cent.
OF their wages to apply on the fund. Every
employe on the road will have an opportu-
nifty to vote on the matter, and If IL is ac-
ceptable to a majority another meeting
will be held and a committee appointed to
wait upon the officials TO see just what
they are willing to do.