The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1903-01-20

marked increase in the passenger traffic.
and the fact that unparalleled additions
are being made to the freight equipment
demonstrates the addition in that brancn
of service.
Samuel B. Sweet. general freight agent
of the Lake Erie * Western. stated yes
terday that on his desk he found Monday
morning orders for LAO cars. and he had
possibly 10 TO fill the orders with. Some
or the letters were very urgent In tone.
but he was unable to furnish cars. He said
IL was very unpleasant TO do business; the
car shortage was so severe that they could
not protect their best shippers to the extent
they desired to-
The statement attributed to President
Loree, of the Baltimore K Ohio, TO the
erect that his company is only shipper
OF coal and not a miner thereon, is spoken
OF as being decidedly refreshing in view or
the recent formation of a coal combination
OF three of the principal companies operat-
capital stock of 100000 and with policy
controlled by the railroad company because
of it's large stockholdings.
President Ramsey, of the Wabash, when
in Pittsburg last week stated to reporter
of one of the Pittsburg papers that the re-
port that the Wabash was seeking the
Buffalo, Rochester & Pittsburg was untrue
sad mar is not seeking th daa roae
as he could see, IL would be or no great
benefit to the Wabash if it did purchase IT
anu tne company could ma petI1r use TOT
said: Il noticed an article which said that
seeking Eastern freight. or, rather.
10 get some OF the Pittsburg freight 10
ship to Eastern points: that is not the case
share of the freight traffic in this district
for Western points covered by our connec-
lions and our road"
E. o. Mccormick, passenger traffic agent
OF the Southern Pacific lines states that
the increase in gross receipts (Which have
been the largest since the organization OF
the company has been in a normal ratio
to the general prosperity of the country
ment of commodities carried shows that
there has been gratifying gain in that class
of commodities which results from the
greater cultivation of land, the develop
ment Of mineral and other commercial re-
sources and in the traffic incident to these
developments. The operating expenses
have absorbed the greater part OF the In
creased receipts from transportation opera
tons, but the greater part of the increase
in operating expenses (S3.70S, 1870, or 6S
per cent? was in expenses for maintenance
OF way and structures, rolling stock and
floating equipment. A part OF this In
crease in operating expenses has resulted
from the higher price of labor and ma
terial, but considerable part has resulted
from improvements which are made con-
currently with repairs and renewals, and
the cost of which is, therefore, included
In the operating expenses. The work OF
improving the physical condition of the
roadbed and track and of procuring roll
ing stock of greater capacity and working
efficiency Is progressing as rapidly as 1t
can be done with advantage. The state
ment OF weight of rails in track shows
the gain which was made therein during
the year just closed. Ninety thousand
tons of rail $50 pounds per Yard have been
ordered to be laid during the fiscal year
ending June 80 1903. Average age of roll
ing stock has been decreased from that
SHOWN In last annual report by the SUBJ
stantial additions made during the year.