Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1909-05-31
Conditions Are Resuming
A Normal Standing
Increasing Business Is Re-
ported on All Sides.
Large Orders Being Placed for
Railroad Equipment.

ro lroad world are assuming q nor
NAL standing rapidly and indications
point TO a continuation in the fall of
1853 Of the general boom which was
inaug urated in 1907 and which met
with a violent setback just before the
advent OF 1908.
Increasing business is reported on all
sides and many of the lines already
begin to feel the tax on their trans
pcrtation powers. In the East, par
ticularly, tpaflic is assuming large pro-
portions. For the New England roads,
Notwithstanding the opening of the st.
Lawrence river month ago, and much
earlier than usual. export business
continues at a high level and the d.
verting If a large amount Of froelgn-
bound freight at Montreal and Quebec
seems to have had no appreciable effect
on the cargoes bound via Boston and
New York.
One of the most encouraging signs
of the times is the increase in railroad
equipment throughout the country.
The orders for locomotives and passen-
ger and freight cars furnish convincing
evidence of the confidence of railroad
managers that the good times now
dawning are destined to continue for
a considerable period and that the
present equipment Of the lines is Who'll
ly insufficient to cope with the demands
of public business. Orders for material
and equipment which have long been
pending have been placed and new ones
are being booked daily. There has been
no such amount of business in sight
since the fall Of 1907. The manufacture
ing capacity of the great equipment
plants is not taxed to the utmost and
the present total of business is hard
ly up to the normal requirements of
the country, but everything is on the
right road and business shows daily
improvement.
An interesting local feature is the re-
turn to the former standard of the sal
aries of the Office employees, agents,
etc. of the Boston & Maine Railroad,
who suffered a 10 per cent. decrease
during the depression of year ago.
An indication of great general i'm
portance is the determination Of the
Pullman Company to begin construc-
ton of large additions to its contract
car building plant at once. 1t is felt
that plans which have been held back
for many months would not be entered
unon now unless the directors of the
company. who are far-sighted fnan-
cierS in possession of the best infOrma-
ton possible to obtain. believed that
the right moment had come. That or
dcrs have been given to rush the work
to completion in 30 days proves that
the managers are convinced boom is
at hand.
The Laconia Car Company. which is
one of the largest equipment concerns
in New England. is working full time
in all departments and has met with
success beyond anticipation in the de-
velopment of the new steel frame de-
partment.
Steel producers are extremely conf
dent and optimistic and an echo Of the
prevailing idea Of highly favorable flu
ture conditions was shown in the gen.
eral sentiment expressed at the con-
vention of railroad conductors, which
has just closed in Boston.
TO travel in comfort in England costs
much more than in the United States
and while. if one elects third class
rates and conditions. a low tariff is
secured. the difference is more thar
made up in the poorer accommodations
suffered. In England. as in Europe gen
orally. class distinctions are frankly
recognized and two or three classes o.
care lin Germany. four are provided
aside from sleeping cars and special
private cars, so that a traveller may
within certain limits, adjust his ex
penseS to his lasts or means. In Eng
land, frst-class cars are relatively lit
Il" used. except by those whose social
or official position makes it obligatory
or py people who are going on long
journey and desire the greatest amount
Of space and the softer cushions The
frst-class car may thus be said TO cor
respond with the American Pullman
parlOr car. The second class cars are
also little used. though more so. prob
ably, than the first-class. especially on
suburban trains near the large cities.
where many commuters use second
class tickets. The vast majority of
this class. except on suburban trains
usually being comfortably fitted anC
quite satisfactory. Several of the lead
ing English railways have abolished
the second class within recent years.
retaining only the first and third class
es and thus simplifying heir service
The third-clasS fare one way is almost
invariably at the rate Of one penny
1.-TWO cents) per mile, the second class
(when there is One) from % to 50 per
cent above the third class. and the first
class from 30 to 100 per cent. above the
third. 1t will be seen that the English
traveller who rides in first-class ca,
pays relatively more than the Ameri-
can who rides in Pullman car. as the
latter. in addition to buying first
lass ticket. pays an additional charge
OF only 50 to $3.50 for journey of from
IL to II hours duration (Which may in
clude a distance of from 300 to 500
miles) and slightly higher rate for
shorter distances. The older English
cars have no lavatOries or steam heat
ing apparatus. but these objections are
o6viatod in the vehicles of later con-
nANIANn