The Minneapolis journal. [volume] (Minneapolis, Minn.) 1888-1939, 1906-12-06
The Ton-Mile Policy Overdone,

Transportation conditions in the
northwest and the present INADEQUATE
service reflect not only an extreme of
economy in operation, but illustrate
very forcibly the old law of cumula-
tive effect.
1t is true that the ton-nile basis of
railroad operative accounting did not
originate here, for if railroad history
is accurate man named Talmage, who
held position Of Importance with the
Goulds, first presented it for considera-
ton. Yet nowhere has economy of
operation been so persistently and sue
cessfully followed as in this northwest,
and nowhere have such records Of low
operation cost been made. The north
west has taken every idea Of worth
and has improved upon it. In ability to
grasp at suggestion and all-around
comprehensiveness the northwest is
first from the railroad viewpoint. It
has sent out to other parts and still.
retains for itself some of the ablest
railroad men. Of the country. =,
There is a general striving now for
new records and efforts are being made
everywhere to beat the ton-mile cost
below that Of some other road. There
is difference, however, according to
country traversed, condition of roadbed
and other things. A locomotive and
crew that over some Of the stone-bal-
lasted and double-tracked roads of the
east could move a 1000 or 2,2OO-ton
train with comparative facility, would
find itself badly handicapped farther
west, where conditions liffer. In the
northwest even the elements enter into
it in more important degree. Roadbeds
are not so good, distances between
points Of supply and replenishment are
greater, the water supply is not always
Of the best and other things too numer-;
GUS for DECENTRALIZATION enter into it.
Yet it would appear that no one Of
them, nor even the collective difference,
has stood against the policy of strict
economy.
Cumulative effect comes sooner or
later. Three years ago there was occa-
slonal complaint, two years ago COM
plants were general, last year there
was a lack Of facilities afforded the
shipper that put hardship upon him,
and this year the situation is unbear-
able. .-' ''|,<.
No hardship, no complaints, no
growth Of hostile sentiment have here:
tofore Influenced the, roads. It must
have been evident to the operating
heads that the policy of economy car,
ried into another year would set the
country back, but it would appear that
this was not only ignored but that the,
pressure for saving was ever greater.
The ton-mile proposition is simple.
If one locomotive and five men can or
dinarily move fifty cars of freight, the
earnings of the train, and of every car,
and of the locomotive, and the tonnage
in total, and the cost Of moving one
ton one mile may. be figured out pretty
closely in advance. Obviously, if six
ty ears be put on, the increased ex-
pense in the way of additional coal con-
sumed, longer hours on duty and great
er compensation for the crew, addition.
al wear and tear on the rolling stock
and strain upon the roadbed, are much
more than offset by the additional rev.
|enue derived from the moving of the
greater tonnage on the one train or
transportation unit.
The liability of wrecks, property loss
and damages for loss Of life have also
to be considered, but with al this it is
still immensely profitable, and the
great railroad desideratum Of the day
IS density of traffic and; . low tpn.mile