The Plymouth tribune. (Plymouth, Ind.) 1901-1911, 1907-01-03

Responsibility for the wreck on the
Southern, Thanksgiving day, which caus-
ed the death of President Spencer and
six others, has been placed upon G. ID.
Mattox, the block operator at Rangoon
station, Va.
1t is believed that this winter 10000
persons from the middle West will visit
New Orleans and Cuba. Last year the
Illinois Central carried about 5000 tour
lists. The moderate cost of the trip to
either New Orleans or Cuba and the time
consumed are factors in the popularity.
The Chicago. Milwaukee and St Paul
railroad has announced the issue of $780,
100000 of new stock, to be offered to
shareholders at par on the installment
plan, bearing interest at 3 per cent, the
proceeds to be used in financing the Pa
cific coast extension and numerous brancs:
lines.
The Northern Pacific railway an
nounces plan to increase its stock by
S95,000.OO0. The whole issue will be Of
fered to stockholders at par on the in
stallment plan. although the Northern
Pacific stock has been selling at 30. The
proceeds will go to the development of
the property.
The annual report of the Union Pa
cific railroad showed an increase of near
ly $o,000000 in gross transportation re-
iceipts, while the income from invest.
ments amounted to S10.329, S15. At the
same time the fixed charges were reduced
over 100000 through the retirement
of bonds. Tnr total surplus was 49,.
232, 249 alter allowing per cent on com
mon stok and a charge TO the reserve
fund.
A machine that Will hurl coal into the
frebox of locomotive at the rate of 20C
shovelfuls a minute, il necessary. will
tighten the labor of the firemeL on many
of the engines of the Northwestern road
An order has been placed for 700 of these
mechanical stokers at cost of $350,000
The General Managers Association
representing tie New York terminals OF
the Erie, Jersey Central, Lackawanna
Lehigh and Baltimore and Ohio lines, an
nounces that it will stand by its offe'
to give cents an hour advance to yard
conductors and brakemen, but would no,
concede the 5-cent increase demanded.
Chairman Knapp of the interstate com
merce commission, commenting on thu
present car shortage in the Northwest
said that the whole country was in {
state of congestion, and that the railroad,
are in condition of ineficiency resulting
from demands which exceed present ca
pacity. Various managers find it ex
tremely difficult to secure the additional
help that is needed for increased bust
ness, while those already employed have
reached a condition. through overwork
where they no longer have ambition. This
condition exists in almost all industries
he says, as well as in that of the rail
roads.
The Lake Shore railroad has raised the
annual dividend from 8 to II per cent
in consequence of the enormous increase
in earnings. The rea, earning power OF
the system is estimated to be in excess
of 20 per cent As the Michigan Central
had also increased its dividend from . tt
G Der cent. It was presumed that the New
York Central would follow suit
The various railroad labor unions o.
Chicago decided to ask for 10 per cent
increase in wages and the eight hour day
for through freight crews. This demand
will go to forty-seven different companies
and being a second or compromise de
mand, it did not require thirt GdayS' no
tice for strike.