The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1905-02-10
Rock Islands Plan for Campaign
of Betterments.
Enormous Expenditures to Place
Road In High State of Repair.
WINCHELL'S SUCCESS.
Under His Direction Rock Island
Enjoys Prosperity.
Gossip and Matters Of Interest
in Railway Circles.

AS soon as the weather will permit
the Rock Island railroad will begin a
far-reaching campaign for the better
ment OF the property.
The Rock Island is in the market for
ballast cars, and the other necessary
materials, etc, for carrying out the
plans which have been made for the
improvement of the service.
The division engineers Of the various
divisions of the road have been in
structed to prepare recommendations
for the necessary work on their respec-
tive divisions together with estimates
as to the cost.
The word has been passed about and
it is generally understood that the di-
vision engineers will be given all rea-
sonable latitude in preparing their es-
Inmates and budgets. The dominant
idea is to get the property in as high a
state of repair in as short a space of
time as is possible consistent with good
judgment and the exercise OF reason
able expenditures
1t is known that the Rock Island con-
templates replacing great quantity Of
steel rails on the main lines of the
system with new steel.
On the Kansas division it is likely
that the most important work will be
the continuation of the ballasting work
which was begun at one time but which
was discontinued during the regime of
President Loree.
The baHasting win extend to the Ell
Paso and New Mexico divisions, and
also south on the main line into Ok
lahoma and Texas. Considerable bal
lasting work has been done on the lines
in Colorado and this Will be compile
ted.
The native power will come in for a
big portion of the attention to repair
work. The shops will be opened up
with larger forces as soon as possible
and much of the repair work which
has been accommodating will be disposed
OF,
The Rock Island has orders in for 65
n9w locomotives which will be deliver
e1 shortly 1t was confidently expected
that the deliveries would have been
made during the month of January, but
the work was delayed and the engines
be forthcoming soon.
The Rock Island IS greatly in need of
the new motive power for the very
good reason that the road is at this
time enjoying the greatest traffic move
ment in its history. The corn carrying
season is on, and the fruit shipments
from California are particularly heavy.
In addition to the freight business, the
passenger business is extremely graft
flying.
President Winchen has begun we'll
and he will undoubtedly make a bril-
liant record with the Rock Island rail-
road. When ne succeeded President
Loree, he took hold of the road when
it was at the lowest ebb. He had many
difficulties to overcome. and troubles
that would stagger most men. Under
his direction, however, things have been
gradually rlghted, and it is confidently
predicted that the time is not far dis
tant when the road will be restored to
the highest state of physical excellence,
and at the same time will have the
largest earning capacity of it's history.
The official family has been strength
ened and the plan of operation seems to
be perfectly harmonious. The recent
appointment Of w. B. BiddIe, formerly
freight traffic manager of the Santa F'e
to be third vice president in charge of
all traffic of the Rock Island is consid-
cred a stroke for the Rock Island.
The road has regained the confidence
of investors, and the stock is looked
upon favorabIy on the stock exchange.
The future looks bright for the Rock
Island.