The news-democrat. (Providence, R.I.) 1906-1909, 1907-12-13
MOVING FREIGHT
IS BETTER THAN
LOWERING RATES
So Vice-Presideut Byrnes of New Haven Road Tells
{. Boston City CIub-New England transportation
Years Behind the Times.

Boston, Dec. 13-"In my opinion to ex-
pedite freight movements will be OF great
r cash value to shippers than to cut
rates" said Timothy T.. Byrnes. vice
president of the New Haven railroad, al
speech before the Boston City, club last
night. adding because IL happens that
New England transportation. especially
between New England points, Is years be-
A hind the times In respect TO rapid move
& ment''
Mr.. Byrnes. whose subject was The
< Transportation Problems of New Eng
land" first considered the question of
3 what the railroad should do with Its sur
\ plus. II any. which IL has left after pay
ing operating expenses, fixed charges and
fair dividend.
He said there are three purposes tn
which surplus may be devoted. IL may
be applied to a reduction of rates or to
physical improvements, such as construc-
lion or equipment, or to quicker and
4 therefore more expensive operation.
Conditions to- a degree determine the
matter. he said. Overworked rolling stock
makes Its own outcry for renewal. More
lrackage suggests itself as soon as traf-
Z &c Is too great for existing facilities. and
when the road has caught up with these
and other necessary physical improve
Dents the natural use OF a remaining sur
plus lies I'm raising of wages or such
reduction OF rates as may stimulate
business and promote prosperity both for
The region and for the railroad.
Uses FOR SURPLUS.
Which, then. of the three uses Of sur
Daus Is most urgently needed In New
England at the present timer" asked Mr.
Byrnes Speaking for the New Haven
company alone. can say that up to with
n short time. and perhaps even yet.
The greatest need has been for new roll
ing stock.
Passenger rates had already been vol
sntarily reduced to fiat two cents
nile. without raising such communication
rates as had long been less than two
rents Freight rates. particularly on coal
which is so important 10 our manufac-
turers, were also reduced from New Eng
land coal ports 70 many interior points
But the most important need, involv-
ng the largest outlays. was for locomo-
lives and cars. Immense sums have been
and are being expended. Last winter we
we're able to avoid an embargo and by
pressing the manufacturers for more OF
she engines and cars ordered we hope TO
meet again this winter all demands upon
MS.
I'm providing modern locomotives capa.
BILE OF drawing longer trains OF heavier
.ers we have also found N necessary 20
spend many millions i'm the reconstruction
pf bridges to bear the added weight.
intSe pnyeltdl improvements Will re-
nuire some time still for completion, and
the increase In fixed charges made neces-
yary by them will consume a oonsidera-
BILE part of what would otherwise have
been surplus. Presently however II
business is we'll sustained. the new equip
ment should result in economies of opera
hon.
BETTER TIME NEEDED
The problem will again arise where
b. apply surplus. Shall the company re-
huce rates or improve service? Shall
more Track he laid moro cars be used
and more men be posted az junction
points to expedite freight movements, or
shall the money available FOR these OBJ
jects be put into Q reduction Of charges7
In my opinion TO expedite freight
movements will be OF much greater cash
value to shippers than to cut rates, be-
Gauss II happens that New England
transportation. especially between New
England points, Is years behind tho times
frr respect OF rapid movement.
Some of YOU may be aware that on
the direct freihgt between Boston and
New oYrk there Is an example OF the
kind Of transportation which it Is possi-
BILE under some conditions 10 give
II DO not know of freight service lust
like Ii In this country in any other
country. A shipment laid down at South
Boston at p. IN. is carried through
TO Harlem river in eight hours-only two
hours longer than IL takes most of the
passenger trains. At Harlem the car In
run out on to a float. which conveys "
10 the New Havcns East river pier In
The heart of the wholesale dry goods dis
trict. where the consignee may get Il at
A. m.
''The distance between Boston and New
York Is covered practically without con-
s,mlng a single hour OF the business day
xa.Irr. Jort. T..
quicker time II is really an express SER
vice at freight rates.
Business men are apt to overlook the
proportionate consequence of the various
factors entering into trade.
"A much more urgent matter than rates
n the scceleration of movement. With
equal sacrifice of money the railroad can
give the shippers a much more valuable
concession In quicker service than In a
lower rate, and 1t is doubtful II at pres
ent they can successfully give both.
MILLS IN DANGER.
Our mills are in danger of outside COM
petition IL this lack shall not be supplied.
Yet public attention has been little TO-
oussed on this phase. A recent act OF
the Legislature relating To transportation,
for instance. In directing what demands
under certain circumstances the Railroad
Commission should make on transporta-
ton companies did not refer to this ques-
tion at all.
Mention was made OF keeping rates
and fares down to present levels: OF
maintaining existing facilities. and of
building spur tracks for mills when traf-
nc should warrant; but Il Is evident the
members OF the general court were not
thinking OF the most serious problem
with which New England shippers are
confronted-the acceeration of movement
II Is such acceleration that the New
Haven Is thinking about. shall feel re-
warded if as result Of this address you
will come 10 take An interest In this mat
ter.
I'VE look forward TO public demands
UPON u.s. and we have &C Gesvy a stake
IN the prosperity OF New England that