Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1901-08-17
NEWS OF RAILWAYS.

IL is probable that there will be
fewer so-called "homeseekers" eXcur-
sions operated during the next year
than ever before, if they are not en-
tirely abolished. General passenger
agents of western roads are now con-
sideriug plan to abandon the run
ming of homeseekers' excursions when
there is no demand for them.
"As matter of fact the homeseek-
ers' excursions have come to mean
anything but excursions to enable
persons to look over new lands and
districts for residential purposes"
said the general passenger agent of a
big western line. They are used
principally nowadays to attract traffic
during seasons that would be dull
otherwise for the transportation COM
panies. In this way many abuses
have sprung up. The tickets are
largely scalped and used by persons
going on all kinds of business
The question of wiping out the ex-
cursions except where thee is good
reason for their operation will be con-
sidered by general passenger agents
of the western roads at their next
meeting in Chicago.
Rock Island Rattlings.
Fireman A. b Nelson has reported
after having laid off to move his
family to Moline.
Engineer w. Williams removed his
family to Moline the past week.
Engineers J. Powers and T. HefTer-
nan and Firemen w. Leonard and ID.
Taylor have had the race train at
Davenport the past week.
Al Hotchkiss' engine. the 912. is
out of the shop and is being broken
in on freight.
The 1413 which had been doing pas
senger work, has been put back in the
freight service, W here it will remain.
Engineer G Rayburn has been called
to Chicago by the serious illness of
his brother.
Brakeman Eary, who has been
in Virginia for the past month, has
returned and reported for duty.
Conductor Rohwedder, Firemen w.
Coyne and + Leighton and Engineer
S. Trevillyan are sick.
Fireman McGinty has reported after
an illness
The new Rock Island passenger
station will be provided with a tower
flying to be abls to add, there is to be
n bluff nor delay in connection with
either. some of the trenches for the
foundation of the buildings have been
completed aud the laying of concrete
was begun today. AS there will be
no basement TO either part of the
affair, little excavation will be neces-
siry aud the foundation will be ready
for the perstructure in a very short
time.
Bits OF Burlington News
Master Mechanic A j. Gotta, Road
Foreman +. q. Johnson and j. &
Nelly, the supply agent at Besrds-
town. were here during the week on
business connected with the handling
of the extras and show trains.
Engineer John Mason is away re-
moviog his household goods from
Beardstown to this city.
Engineer Frank Cham bers has re-
ported after lay off.
The 1880 has been fitted up for SER
vice on the coal run. Several changes |
have been made to enable her to with.
stand the heavy strain met with in
coming out of the pit at the mines.
Conductor j. w. Van Arsdel has re-
ported after an illness.
Switchmen Swanson and A. Kost
have secured 20-days' leave of alb
sence which they propose TO use in
making trip 10 Denver.
Switchman Ben Heverling is sick.
Yard Foreman w. Ii. Gear has re-
ported after an illness.
Brakeman w. A. Wood has returned
from 3-weeks' trip to California.
Brakeman KRONE. who has been
running on the Galesburg freight. has