The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1907-01-02

from theSe ngureS you Will observe
that the increase in the tonnage
moved by these respective companies
for the year 1904 over the year 1902
was 81 per cent, with an increase of
81 per cent in the number of cars in
the freight service and 81 per cent in
the number of locomotives in the SER
vice; that for the year 1906 the in
crease in tonnage moved over the year
1902 was At per cent, with an increase
of AZ per cent in the number of cars
locomotives
The board finds that the above
named companies expended during the
year 1906 for repairs and renewals of
freight cars and locomotives. the fol-
lowing sums:
Freight cars Locomotives.
A. T. & S. F.. 49, $50. 534. 21 o$2,41s, 627 II
NJ. K. & T.. 665, S59. 80 e14, 400 6s
g. r. I. & P. 1,s5c.915.7S 3,09o.919.67
No PACIFIC s14.sIo.4e 1888. 1884, %
Union Pacific :. 1,706, 666.7o 1886. s6s.9S
In view of the above facts. this
board has come to the conclusion that
the prevailing conditions are not so
much due to lack of equipment with
which to handle freight offered by
Kansas shippers to companies operat-
ing in this state, as to various other
reasons. notably the lack of proper
methods for the handling of equip
ment to the best possible advantage.
The railroads operating in Kansas are
practically all originating lines, the
transportation of the large bulk Of
freight offered to them to its destina-
ton requiring said companies to al
low their equipment to go to foreign
lines with a great degree of uncertain
ty as to the time of return thereof,
there seeming to be no adequate rules
OF the companies or, orders of your
commission requiring the prompt re-
turn of such equipment to the owners
thereof.
Another item having an important
bearing upon the correction of exist
ing freight traffic conditions is that of
the inadequacy of the present ter
minal facilities to, promptly handle
Notwithstanding the pres
emit unprecedented increased CONNER
ciaI activity, this board feels that the
railroads operating in Kansas could
patrons with a reasonable degree of
If they could secure the
prompt unloading and release of cars
at terminals. No road should be ex-
pected to furnish it's cars for storage
purposes, and while it is true that all
ed land that all cars loaded have not
been moved with dispatch, yet the
board feels that this condition is due
in the greater part to the congested |
condition of terminals and the conse- |
luent uss of cars for storge purposes. |
together with inability of, originating |
ines to secure a prompt return of
equipment, it being used by foreign |
il1e@ connections-nnde service !
rules in force. with the only penalty d |
very inadequate d9murrages - AS a |
1otab1e Instance of this kind, this |
BOARD especially recalls the report of |
your Inspector, among 9th ers, to the |
effect that at the present time at Gal |
reston there are approximately IA 900 |
oaded cars with a constantly increas-
ng number, yet the railroads, ware
houses and wharf companies are only /
lble to unload and return about 800 I
.ars a day. While these conditions at /
Galveston are extreme. yet they rep /
esent generally conditions elsewhere. |
There is. generally speaking need for /
terminal facilities in Kansas.
md upon inquiry as ito the attitude of
he companies in this regard. the board
las ascertained that very decided i'm
movements will be made in the imne-
late future AS a notable instance of
his the Chicago, Rock Island & Pacific
hallway company expects to enlarge ev3
ry terminal on fits system and to expend |
arge sums at Herington,. Caldwell, Lib
raj, Pratt and Armourdale, providing