The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1903-08-06

England roads. said 1t had no significance
as TO general business. which is sound, and
there is no fear of any decrease in trafnc
either on the Boston & Maine or otner
roads. Those who argue curtailment OF
dividend on the stock. he says. because the
reported surplus over dividends is small, are
ignorant of the conditions.
1t is stated that there is some ground for
the rumor that negotiations are in progress
for the purchase of the Southern Indiana
Railroad by the Chicago, Rock Island Il
Pacific. The record of this year, when the
length of the road is considered is wonder
full, and shows the possibility of the line.
when under the control of some large sys-
tenn. Should the road be purchased by the
Rock Island IL would doubtless be made part
OF the Chicago * Eastern Illinois:
]. c. McKennon. formerly of Rock Island.
ILL.,. has been appointed freight agent of
the Chicago, Rock Island & Pacific at Min
neapolis. and j. L. Murphy, formerly trafhc
manager OF the Iowa * ST. Louis, which has
been absorbed by the Chicago. Burlington
* Quincy has been made soliciting freight
agent at Minneapolis. Both appointments
are made in line with policy of the roads
TO increase their representation in proper
ton TO the increase of their business.
John Croft, a former car inspector of the
Big -Four, and well verSed in railroad car
construction, has been selected as general
manager Of the Interstate Car Company
al this point. Their buildings adjoin those
of the Interstate stockyards, and although
a young enterprise, some forty men are at
work building cars, various roads having
made contracts with the establishment TO
do their work at this point. Indianapolis
is so important a railroad center that there
is much work of this character TO be done.
G NJ. King superintendent of the Balti-
more d Ohio shops. on Aug. completed
half century of service in the employ or
that company. He began as an apprentice
in the shops where he is now superb end
ent on Aug. 3, 1853 His service with the
company has been continual, and although
he lie in &c ioth ven an
reached the limit of service at which he Is
entitled to retire, he is remarkably vigor
Gus and active and promises 10 add years
of service to his already long period OF
work.
In spite of the remarkable amount OF
rate cutting reported by the Minneapolis
and Chicago line the present year all the
lines show each month an increase in re-
ceipts greater than that of last year and
July showed an Improvement over pre-
vious months of the last fiscal year. "A
passenger official said of the matter;
"Whle this is partly due to reduced rates
it is partly because people seem to be bent
on travelling this year. The regular coach
es of all passenger trains in the Northwest.
ern territory nave been crowded ana airnos'
daily are hauling extra coaches.
Indications are that a fiat rate of 2 cents
per mile on passenger business in all ter,
ritory between the Lakes and the Missouri
river will be the outcome OF the rate war
The Chicago Great Western traffic officials
they admit that the plan has been under
discussion as a means of meeting unfair
discrimination of competitors and protect
ing the traffic of the new line TO the Mis-
souri, river. The mere fact that the Stick
ney road has been agitating the matter Is
creating uneasiness on the part of COM
petitors.
General Passenger Agent c. s. Crane, OF
the Wabash, says that company Is prepar-
ing for the opening of the Chicago-Toledo-
Pittsburg line, the time now being depend
ent entirely on contractors. The paSsen
ger equipment is being prepared for the
service and deliveries of fifty new passen
ger cars ordered are nearing completion
They are the best and most modern cal
built and that designers can produce ant
will afford passengers all the comforts and
convenences of modern hotel or high
class club. They will be fitted with bill
lard and pool tables and other club aces
SCrieS
There have been numerous efforts to gel
a line for the Wheeling road into Cleve
land. Two or three suggestions have beer
made; one is that the Big Four is TO b'
paralleled from Wellington TO Cleveland
another that the Wheeling will build Il
Lorain and then across to Cleveland, ant
still another and the most probable Is tina
traffic alliance will be made with thu
Big Four by which entrance will be OBJ
tanned. A Wheeling official says that en-
trance to Cleveland from Wellington is de
sirable and has been often discussed, bu
no definite steps have been taken in tina
direction beyond negotiations with the BIZ
Four.