The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1910-05-28
RAILROAD NEWS.
Most Favorable Outlook for Bet
ter Traffic Conditions.
Shipments of Automobiles Are
Leading Feature at This Time.
ON A. T. & S. f. AND r.. ]
These Roads Increasing Ton.
mage Over Last Year.
other Items of General Interest
i'm Railroad World.

Chicago. May 2s.-An almost uni
formly optimistic view of traffic con-
ditions on the railroads is held by Of
ficlals of the various roads, and owing
to the advent of favorable weather the
outlook in some instances is described
as particularly bright. A feature of
present conditions is the remarkable
growth in shipments of automobiles,
most of the roads now taking special
steps for the accommodation Of this
class of freight. An improvement in
general merchandise shipments and a
falling off of coal tonnage are other
features of the situation.
On the Santa Fe it is reported that
the general run of business is heavy.
is heavier than usual, the automobile
business is affording a splendid reve-
nue. and the road is getting in shape
rapidly to take care of any increase.
Late reports concerning crops are SAID
to be more cheerful. Shipments of
oranges from California since Nov. to
May were 1892 cars. Shipments of
lemons amounted to LAOS cars.
The Chicago, Milwaukee & st. Paul,
according to an official of the company,
is maintaining the usual record in gen.
eral tonnage, and reports received from
all along the line make a good show
ing. immigration has increased won-
derfully in the Dakotas and in Mon
taua, and developments in land are
very marked. The road has practically
no idle cars and business is not regard
ed as at all alarming, and it is believed
the ultimate result will be satisfactory.
1--WE are handling the usual amount
of freight over our lines" said an Of
fetal of the Wabash, but the closing
of the coal mines in our territory is
causing us some loss The outlook is
very bright for future tonnage. We do
TnOI< for unusual damage to
crops in our territory
On the Rock Island tonnage is con-
siderably ahead of a year ago and is
running along smoothly. The ship
mentS of automobiles and vehicles west
is a feature of the tonnage movement.
General merchandise shipments have
improved recently. The road is open
ing new lines, such as the Amarillo
Tecumcari connection, which, 1t is be-
lieved, will prove valuable feeders and
improve revenues materially.
1--WE are maintaining a good general
tonnage with the exception of coal, but
in that respect we are doing as well as
other lines" said an official. Mer-
chandise shipments are well ahead Of
a year ago, and we have few idle ears
in spite of the comparatively light
grain movement and the loss of coal
shipments. Farmers are busy in the
fields since the weather turned better,
and we believe that there will be an
abundance of the various crops in our
territory"
On the Illinois Central traffic condi-
lions are said not to have changed
materially from what they have been,
but the crop outlook is improving and
will probably show up we'll at harvest,
even if the total yield should not ap-
proximate what it was in the last few
years. General business is running
somewhat ahead of this time a year
ago. Officials of the Chicago, BurlinS
ton & Quincy are generally satisfied
with the traffic outlook, the crop situa-
ton and the future for general bust
ness in the roads territory. There are
very few idle cars, and with the excep-
ton of coal shipments, freight is NOV
ing in a volume ahead Of a year ago
on the whole.