The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1910-09-05
Secret Santa Fe Report Puzzles
Government.
Interstate Commission Officials
Interested in Figures.
ON THE RIPLEY TALK
Washington Digs into His TIES.
tfmony at Chicago.
Other TENS of General Inter-
est in Traffic World.

Washington, Sept. 5.-That part Of
the testimony of President Ripley IF
the Atchison, Topeka & Santa Fe in
Chicago in the railroad rate hearing
which has been reported here as being
reviewed with great interest by officials
of the interstate commerce commits
sion. In this connection it is of inter
est to note a few things in the reports
of earnings of the Atchison, which, il
they show anything, it is believed, are
to the discredit of that testimony.
The figures of earnings which have
been reported to the commission
monthly, it is pointed out, show that
the road has been spending more on its
own improvement than what it costs 70
transport its annual business. More
over, it shows that the percentage of
increase in the maintenance figures
far exceeds the percentage of increase
in the transportation expenses.
This, it is said, is where Mr.. Ripley is
holding good to his argument to make
hay while the sun shines and prepare
for the business of the future out of
the profits of present business.
Figures Need Close Analysis. (?)
For the twelve months ended June 80
the Atchison reported to the commits
sion an increase in operating revenue
OI 91U,EUUyO4O over the preceding Twelve
months. and an increase of $1O,563,077
in operating expenses which at
fist blush carries the impression
that the operating expenses are grow
ing faster than the revenues. But a
little analysis of the figures shows
where such an impression is manifest
~ incorrect. The operating income for
the year was $27, 576012, an increase of
$1,105,962 over what it was the proceed
ing year
The maintenance of ways and struc-
lures for the twelve months cost the
road $14. 067 ,401 and the maintenance of
equipment S12,8S4,S98. The total of the
maintenance figures was then nearly
$27, 000, 900, whereas the total transpor
tation expenses during the year were
S25.379.066. However, comparison
with the figures for the preceding
year shows that there has been an ex-
tended effort to make the maintenance
figures outreach the transportation ex-
penses. The above figures represent an
increase of So, 997. 119 in maintenance of
ways and structures and an increase
Of 81, 457 ,672 in maintenance of equip
ment. The total of this increase is
more than 5000, 900, whereas the in
crease in transportation expenses was
1850, 1876.
Think April Report Misleading.
Such condition of affairs has been
evident for some time past. A repre-
sentative month was last April. For
that month the total operating revenue
was s7,917.792 and the total operating
expenses were $5,292.654. The excess in
the revenue was about 100000. Again
this is said to give a wrong impress
sion.
The maintenance of ways and struc-
lures cost 81, 1924 and the mainten-
ance Of equipment $1.151 ,514. The in
crease in the first item was $54O, 1854,
and in the second was $3.50. 237 over the
figures of last year The total MAIN
tenance figures then were more than
$2.600,000. This shows an abnormal in
crease for betterment over transported
tion figures during the same month
The transportation expenses were onl,
1886. 693, nearly 100000 less than the
maintenance figures. The increase in
transportation was $576.4SS over April
of last year, which is about two-thirds
the increase in maintenance.
A similar condition is EVIDENT
throughout the whole year, with the
exception of June, where the mainten-
ance figures suddenly represented a de-