The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1903-11-07
IMPROVING ITS SERVICE
PENNSYLVANIA WILL INTRODUCE
CHANGES in PASSENGER LINES.
Lake Erie & Western Makes Excellent
Earning Exhibited. s. Mellen
Given Warm Reception.

A number of notable improvements have
recently been made to the passenger serv-
ice of the Pennsylvania lines West. and
others are in progress. These improve
ments include new equipment for the Pan
handle and the Fort Wayne trains. At the
meeting of passenger officials on Wednes-
day at Pittsburg these changes were, con-
sidered and discussed. One of the better
ments that are being made gradually on
the lines West is that of changing table
dhote to a la carte dining service wherever
this change is deemed practical. On Nov.
Is the present table d'hote service for
breakfast and luncheon on Fort Wayne
Trains Q and 10 between Pittsburg and Chi
cage will be changed to a Ia carte service,
the dinner remaining table d'hote. An
additional service which will be appreciated
highly by the travelling public in connec-
ton with the trains is that walters will
take orders in the coaches for ~dwic
and coffee. serving these to passengers who
may not want a fuller luncheon or break
fast in the dining car. In the West the
a la carte plan has been the preferred
service for several years. Trains Z and IA,
between Pittsburg and st. Louis, two of
the fastest on the Panhandle, nave just
been equipped with the new 70-foot coaches
ordered some months ago; These coaches
are fitted with high-back seats, electric
light, vestibules and other Improvements.
Pleased with Their New President.
The tenor of the articles which appear in
the New England papers is to the effect
that the election of Charles S. Mellen to
the presidency of the New York, New
Haven e, Hartford RoiIrood Canononu 30
pleasing to the board of directors. Mr..
Mellen is one of the best equipped rail-
road men in the country; he has no special
field, as his experience embraces both
rattle and operation. 1t may be said that
the chief characteristic of Mr.. Mellen in an
official capacity is the alertness with which
he reaches a conclusion and the deter
mination with which he carries out a prop
osition If there is value in it, and the fact
that more than 10000 employees of the New
Haven system recognize qualifications SUI
perior to their own means that his admin
istration will be marked with a great de-
gree or loyalty from every one of his
subordinates. 1t is said that the presidency
is one of the most difficult and hard to fill
in the realm of railroad classification,
Every division runs through large cities
and towns, and traffic is heavy and the
freight service large. Trains are numer-
Gus, and if Mr.. Mellen is successful his
managerial qualifications will take on still
brighter luster. 1t is said that the mer-
camille interests at both ends of the line
fully appreciate the movement on the part
of the directors of that road. and that he
will keep in close touch with them. What
is known as the eastern district of the
system Is of much more Importance from
a revenue standpoint than is the western,
aud Mr.. Mellen has given Boston interests
TO understand that the traffic department
will take care Of their business.