Ottumwa semi-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1899-1903, 1903-07-28
INSPECT CUT OFF
PRESIDENT EARLlNG OF THE
MILWAUKEE VISITS oTTUMWA.
PRIVATE TRAIN OVER NEW LINE
Large Party Of Officials With the
President - Contemplate Improve
ment in ottumwa Yards and Build
ings-Rushing Work on Cutoff.
From Fridays Daily.

From Fridays Daily.
A. j. Earling president of the Chi
cago, Milwaukee and St. Paul Railway
company arrived in Ottumwa last even
ing at about 5 o'clock and left again
on the second section of No. at 1880
for Cedar Rapids. In the party with
the president were, III. R. Williams,
general manager, W. J. Underwood,as-
sistant general manager, p. S. Kelley
general freight agent, D. l.. Bush, gen.
eral superintendent and Edward Loss
superintendent Of construction. The
special train consisted of President
Earrings private car and two other
coaches.
During their stay in Ottumwa the
party made a thorough inspection OF
the company's property in the city and
it is understood that a number OF
changes and improvements have been
taken under consideration. The pri-
mary object of the present visit OF the
officials was the inspection OF the new
cut off.
The tour of inspection began at Dav-
export and after leaving that city the
party went to the yards west of Dayen-
port which are rapidly nearing compile
ton. They spent several hours there
going over the ground with Supt. Loss
who has charge of the construc-
ton work. From there they went to
Muscatine where short stop was
made and then they came west over
the new cutoff.
| This is the first inspection of the new
cutoff made by the officials and their
visit is of more than passing signifi-
canoe as it shows that the road is be-
ing rapidly completed and will be ready
for use at an early date.
| The track is all laid on the cutoff
now and the ballasting has been COM
pleted to a point ten miles west of
Washington There remain about
| twenty-five miles of ballasting to be
finished.
A Final Inspection.
While the officers gave out nothing
concerning the purpose of their trip it
is strongly intimated that it was for
the purpose of making final inspec-
ton prior to establishing train sched-
ule. Though the officials are not dis
pleased with the delay of so many
months on the part of the construction
| department, they are very anxious that
there be strenuous efforts made during
the present good weather to put the
road bed in shape for early train ser.
vice.
Passenger business is picking up or
all the railway lines and the Milwau
kee people feel the need of their short
line from Chicago to Kansas City more
than ever. The towns on the cutoff
too, are anxious to acquire the accom-
modations the new road will afford
and of course the company will natur.
ally wish to comply with the desires OF
their patrons as soon as possible. How
ever, none of the work is being half
way done as the time passes. When
finished the road bed will be in such
fine shape that a prompt train service
can be assured the public.
Fear Car Shortage.
Eastern railroads are threatened
with car shortage in the near future.
Few if any, of the large carriers are
handling empty cars now, and this is
regarded as rem arkable when it is con.
sidered that west bound tonnage is
moving in much larger volume than US
ual at this season of the year There
is also ample east bound traffic to bal.
ance the west bound movement.
This is another evidence of an ex
traordinary business in through and
way billed freight of miscellaneous
character. Traffic officials say there
is great difficulty in finding cars with
which to meet the demand promptly
This unusual showing is ascribed tC
business now coming forward that was
held back by the unreasonable wealth
err of last month. Belief is genera
that the car shortage during the com
ing fall and winter will be more severe
than year ago, although all the roads
are making every possible preparation
to take care of the business. The
Lake Shores new road at Elkhart will
it is thought, relieve the congestion
here somewhat.
Grand Trunk Earnings.
During the first six months of the
current year the Grand Trunk increas
ed its gross earnings IL per cent ant
its net earnings per cent.
In both passenger and freight oper
ations the road has increased it's eff
cheney, but the most marked advance
was made in it's freight department
This increase of over S2000,000 in ex
ports of breadstuffs from Portland, Me.
was largely due to the successful eff
/ forts of the Grand Trunk made to Sc
cure western export grain.
, This increased ability to handle traf
J fic has not been secured without |
great deal of incidental expense, near
ly all of which has been charged to op
Grating expenses.
West Still Prosperous.
President B. F. Yocum of the ST
: Louis and San Francisco road, il
speaking of the future prospects of hi
, line, said recently:
II have looked over the crop situa
ton in the west and am satisfied witt
, the outlook. Kansas will have a whea
e crop of 90,oO0,0OO to 1OO,OOO,OOO bush
els, Oklahoma and Indian Territor.
: about 40,000,000 and Texas about 25
. 100000.
There is absolutely no signs of
a falling off in the prosperity of tn
t west"
pOLLlVER is HONORED.