The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1901-01-04
RAILWAY REFORM in 1900
RATE pIsTURBING ELEMENTS RE-
MOVED BY CAPITALIZATION.
Important improvements to ROadbeds
and Equipment Also n Feature
of Last Years Operations.

In the year 1900 more important reforms
were fnaugurated by the railways than in
any former year, the most important Of
which was the Capitalization of control,
in which direction remarkable progress was
made. The Lake Erie & Western, the
Chicago & Alton, the Chesapeake & Ohio,
and many other lines which in the past
have been considered rate disturbers were
brought into close relation with the strong
lines and the policy of maintaining rates
put into effect. Among the most remark
able was the securing, between all rail-
roads, such relations as now exist between
the Pennsylvania and the Baltimore &.
Ohio systems. practically uniting their
financial interests. The old-time feud be-
tween these roads is a thing of the past.
While each maintains its independent or
ganization, they work in harmony. with one
end in view-net profits. There is no COM
petition between them so far as rates are
concerned. Each company takes the BUSH
ness which naturally belongs to it and
does not invade the territory of the other.
Through the interstate-commerce law TIE
work of equipping all cars with automatic
couplers and air brakes was perfected,
and all the important lines have their
equipment so protected, which also pro-
tects the lives of patrons and employees,
and will save an enormous total for the
railway companies by averting wrecks and
attendant delay of traffic.
The year 1900 also witnessed the passing
of the time-honored custom of paying
commissions on ticket sales. When the
agreement became effective on Feb. L, 1900.
but few believed IL would be maintained
longer than thirty days. but, so FAR, proof
of single violation of it has not been Sc
cured. The anti-commission agreement
was the hardest blow ever dealt the ticket
scalping fra ternity. Since that agreement
was adopted the ticket scalpers have had
TO rely for their profits on the manipula-
ton of excursion tickets and passes of
various forms which the holders dishon-
orably turned over to the scalpers.
During the year the condition of the
railroads of the United States, almost with
out exception, was improved, and in no
former year has so much money been ex-
pended by the roads in improvements to
roadbed and equipment, such as eliminat-
ing curves, reducing grades. replacing
wooden structures and laying heavier rails.
Every important road now has the best
weight and capacity of the locomotive of
but a few years ago. Another important
change has been the substitution of steel
for wooden cars for hauling coal. coke,
z.
years ago but one hundred steel cars were
in use, while on Jan. l. 1901, there are =orle
10000 in service And IL should be said
that Indianapolis lines have kept full pace
with other roads in the way OF improve
ment. Fully 20 per cent. of the Big Four
lines are now laid with heavy steel, have
iron bridges, nearly one hundred interlock-
ing plants at the crossings of other roads,
and its equipment, both as TO power and
cars, was increased during 1900 fully Is per
cent, and now the heaviest passenger and
freight locomotives run in the country are
TO be found on the Big Four system. The
Pennsylvania lines have expended large
sums of money in the States of Indiana
and Ohio In laying second track. strength
ening bridges and increasing power and
cars. Receiver Malott, of the Vandalia,
has expended a large sum of money In
laying new steel on the main line and on
the t. III. & L. division. and erecting inter-
locking plants at crossings of other roads.
The Monon did not do so much in 1900 in
Improvement to roadbed as In the preceding
year. owing TO the fact that in 1899 large
mileage of new steel rail was laid, COM
pleting its construction with heavy rail-
except on branches. On the Cincinnati,
Hamilton K Dayton money was expended
literally. until its track is now on a par
with the best roads of the country. The
Lake Erie & Western, under control of
the Lake Shore, was considerably i'm
proved in the way of ballasting, and this
year il is planned TO lay practically the
entire l.. L. & w. system with new heavy
steel rails. The Indiana, Decatur & West
ern. leased to the Cincinnati, Hamilton
& Dayton. did considerable in the way of
laying heavier steel, and the present year
will complete the laying of the l., ID. &s
w. proper with a heavy rail, and all
bridges will be reconstructed. the one over
the Wabash river having just been COM
pleted. During the year the Indiana
Southern Railway completed its line into
Terre Haute, and is one of the best-built
new roads in the West. The road was also
completed from Richmond to connection
with the Cincinnati Hamilton e. Dayton.
and the Chicago, Eastern & Indiana road
was extended to Muncie, and some extern
sions OF few miles TO reach coal mines
were constructed. The earnings of In
diana roads for 1900 exceeded all records.
and would even have been larger could
the companies have furnished cars to carry
the business.