New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1905-05-15
RAILWAY CONGRESS-.
Officially Announces Conclusions
Reached an Session.

washington, May 1A-The conclusions adopted
by the International Railway Congress- winch
closed its seventh session here yesterday were onl-
cially announced to-day. The most interesting of
the conclusions related to railway rates on which,
after prolonged discussion in which every coun-
try which railways operated was represented
the congress unanimously expressed It's conclusions
as follows:
Tariffs should be based commercial principles,
bear upon the commercial value Of the services
rendered with the reservation that rates snail ali
shippers alike under ike conditions. the making
Elasticity necessary to permit the development Of
the traffic and TO produce the gTeatesIt results 10
These conclusions were ratified at the close of the
session, after President Roosevelts speeches had
been topic of discussion, and two days after Sec
rotary TRft's address freight rates at the ban
quet Of the congress. Regarding methods OF treat
ing railway sleepers chemically. or otherwise, to
protect them against deterioration and destruction
by and by the elements, and in that way to
lessen present demands upon the countryfs forest
supply, It determined that some method OF
preserving seepers desirable, and 1T was urged
that careful records Of experiments should be kept
With regard to locomotives. the conclusion was,
in part, follows
Tho power Of locomotives Is more limited in Eu-
rope than in America. owing to the lower allow
ance OF weight per axle. European engineers gen.
orally agree in thinking that compromising admits
Of power and economy. There is tendency to ex-
tend tho OF steam heating in many countries,
the congress found. To obtain sufficient heat for
long trains and for times when the temperature
Is particularly low, It deemed advisable to use
special pipes to mix compressed air with the
steam.
Light railways Cbranch roads, merit in the high
est degree attention of public authorities" the
congress concludes. '"Their construction makes It
possible to encourage the progress and develop
msnt OF districts which have previously remained
in the background and 1t is accordingly not only
the interest but the duty Of the governments to
sist them. It is desirable. therefore not to adhere
to old types and old methods of construction oper
alton and regulation, but to introduce facility
possible, adaptable TO local needs and available re-
sources. It is also desirable that state govern
1nents and local authorities should accord to light
railways, either under the form Of subsidies reaxa-
ton of requirements other methods Of assistance,
the support which they need both for construction
and for operation. that all parts Of the country
may be adequately served"
The congress expresses the wish that the pres
emit tendency OF legislation to establish more liberal
regulations for lines with small traffic. and light
traIEs may become more general, and that the
efforts of the arrangements to equip their light
traffic lines with mora economical organization,
which promise to give remarkable results Will be
continued"
The movement toward the identification of Ger
tain American railway lines lends additional inter
est to the consideration by the Delegates OF AUTO
motors. The congress declares that experiments
with this Of vehicle should be continued. say
ing!
It may be expected that from automobile
cars and eutonotors hauling trailars win constitute
@ valuable means of transportation. which on some
lines will great future. Owing to the saw
ing IN the number Of employees required, the prob
able reduction in OF maintenance, the material
reduction in the cost Of traction and better uthza-
ton Of rolling stock, and the smaller extent Of sta
ton installations required, IL will be possible ma
terially TO reduce the cost OF working lines with
Z [raF M and will an lines
result in material Improvement IN the working
Of some Classes Of service Their uss will certainly
effect change in the system Of operation in the
case Of great number OF lines, and appears to
have q real future before It,