The Minneapolis journal. [volume] (Minneapolis, Minn.) 1888-1939, 1903-10-09
Triumph of Railroad Age.

The most interesting figures in the
list are possibly those relating to the
trainload and carload on the two sys-
TENS. 1t appears that the trainload
per cent while on Northern Pacific it
shows for revenue freight an actual
decrease of .68 per cent for total car,
load, an increase of only "a per cent.
In this matter of trainload Great
Northern has scored a decided victory
over Northern Pacific. This has been
accomplished in spite Of the fact that
the, Northern Paciflc's supply Of en-
gines has increased quite as fast as
has the supply on the Great North
ern, as Is disclosed in the item FALL
engines It is in fact little diff
to increase his trainload during the,
year. The secret may lie, however,
In certain eliminations of grades that
have been carried on steadily turnout
the year, and in rigorous oversight
exercised with regard to the loading
of cars. Several railroad critics who
have studied Mr.. Hills traffic statistics
for the year agree that his trainload
of 447 tons Is one OF the triumphs Of
the railroad age. 1t speaks wonders
a trainload five years ago was not
dreamed off,, >.. ..----
The showing of Great Northern in
this respect is all the more remarkable
in view Of the fact that the helping
mileage on the system shows a re-
duction of 1878 per cent. Mr.. Hill
himself attributes the increased train
load to the improved condition of the
railway and equipment, but the fact
remains that the railway and equip
ment of the Northern Pacific have
improved quite as rapidly as has the
Northern. but the trainload has not
increased to anything like the same
extent Moreover, the "helping'
mileage of locomotives on the
Northern Pacific increased 1855 per
cent, while. as pointed out above, this
supplementary mileage decreased on
the Great Northern 1878 per cent.
How 1t Was Done.
The car load on the Great Northern
shows an increase of 6.4S per cent and
on the Northern Pacific Of 3.46 per
cent. The large increase on the Hill
road is doubtless the basis Of the big
increase in train load. Br.s Hill ex-
plains that the increase in car load is
due to the introduction of more pow
capacity. Mr.. Hills explanation is not
considered adequate. Northern Pa
ciflc has increased it's equipment and
bettered 1t along exactly the same lines
followed by Mr.. Hill. It is true that
Mr.. Hills freight equipment for the
year SHOWS d CONSIDERABLY greater III
crease than does that of Northern Pa
cific, and this fact doubtless accounts
for some Of the Discrepancy between
the car load figures of, the two sys-
TENS, but 1t is a little difficult to see
why 1t is that Mr.. Hill can get more
than two tons more of freight into
each car than can the management OF
Northern Pacific.
Rate Statistics.
The statistics on rates are also very
interesting. The average rate per tor
mile on Northern Pacific has decreased
4.67 per cent, while on the Hill road
1t is practically stationary. Here Is
the result Of the Northern Securities
company in a nutshell. Northern Pa.
cific has reduced its rates to almost ar
exact. level with the rates of Great
Northern on freight. Inasmuch as Mr.
Hill Is the greatest specialist sor
freight traffic and economy in freigh
handling this reduction during one
year must be looked upon as rather