The Indianapolis journal., 1895-12-26
Would Solve the Car Question.


high and responsible positions on foreign
roads.
Would Solve the Car Question.
]. r. Cavanaugh, superintendent of the
car service of the Big Four, who has given
much study to the problem OF how to use
freight car equipment to the best advantage,
strongly favors the pooling of cars. In con-
versation yesterday he said: 1.-THE only So
luton of the car situation is a reasonable
per diem rate for use of freight cars and
a general car pool of the equipment of the
country. something after the plan out
lined in the Railway Age of Aug p. Rail-
ways can build and keep on building cars,
and still the situation grows no better; in
fact, each year gets worse under present
conditions. Per diem and car pool will give
the roads all the cars they want for the
next four or five years, and there will be
no need to build single car. except to
maintain the present number. Did it ever
occur to railway managers how much money
is spent each year in yar1 work. delays TO
shipments at junction points on account OF
cars being transferred, expense OF transfer
ring, wear and tear on cars In switching,
spotting. etc? Inquiries OF a number t 1l OF
lowest estimate was 5000 cars per day idle
from the above causes; the lowest estimate
of loss of'revenue. 81 per car per day; lowest
average cost Of transfer, 81 per car, max
ing a total loss of $4,000 per day, or $27, ,375.-
coo per annum, making no allowance for
switching expenses, etc. Here is anjilluStra-
ton OF the result Of car pool as compared
with the present method: The American
Cereal Company at Chicago receives a car
load OF machinery from New York In
West Shore car, and receives order from
New Orleans for car load OF flakes. AS
soon as the West Shore car is made empty,
under the present plan, IL is switched out
and an I. c. car switched in. thus involving
double switching Under the pool, the same
car would take the load out without switch
ing. and. In many cases. save switching or
p. railway receives fifty car loads OF west
bound freight for Minneapolis in eastern
Eastern cars. They have loading for
Memphis via Kansas City and the
Scott route. They are compelled to
Chicago, or hold them indefinitely and work
the home with loads. They may also have
TO haul Scott cars or their own long
shipments. Under the pooling plan they
would the same cars. 1t is very diff
cult to estimate the saving to railroads from
decrease OF empty mileage. BY having the
car initials represent class, length and ca
pacty intead of ownership, would effect a
great saving in clerical and yard work, tele-
graphing, etc. In connection with the pool
ing feature, a good per diem charge should
be the basis of settlement. thus compelling
all lines TO pay alike. uniformity, The
courts have decided time and again that 81
per day was a reasonable charge for a
freight car between railways and shippers.
Why not between railroads themselves? The
mistake made by many in figuring an equi-
table rate of compensation as between roads,
they have never taken into consideration the
earning capacity per day. simply the mile
age at three-fourths or three-f1fths cent
per mile. sol many miles per day. wear and
tear and depreciation. Cars are built for
revenue
work for Locomotive and Car Works.
The opinion generally with the managers
of the locomitive and car works Of the
country is that by the first of February
majority of the works will be pushed with
equipment building. and that some of the
largest orders ever placed will be given next
month. One we'll informed on the condition
of affairs with Western lines, in converse
ton with a representative of the Pittsburg
Press. said that hut very few Western
roads have given any extensive orders for
locomotives or cars Tor two or three years,
and the heavy grain movement now on not
only creates a demand for the extra equip
ment. but furnishes the means Of
obtaining the necessary revenue to
pay for 1t. In the East the
conditions are almost similar. the only
difference being in the fact that the roads
needing the cars and locomotives have the
money to pay for them. A careful esti-
mate has been made which shows that the
following roads will be in the market for
gives the probable number of cars and en-
0fuaS that will he ordered.