Omaha daily bee. (Omaha [Neb.]) 187?-1922, 1910-12-04

across the state and, eventually into Chi
cago.
Mention of the big Improvement works
accomplished during the last few years is
bound to include the cut through Bergen
hill, just outside Of Jersey City, by which
criminal facilities have been so immensely
improved Whereas formerly both the
freight and passenger traffic Of the entire
system had to be put through the tunnel,
with the inevitable result Of frequent con-
gestion, passenger traffic now goes through
the open cut That leaves the tunnel for
freight traffic and has already made
very great difference in the cost OF hand
ling business at the terminal,
BY reason of the putting into operation
Of these various improvements, the Erie
has lately been showing some operating
results necessitating a good deal of re-
vision Of ideas formed during the old days
Of waste and inefficiency. The way in
which the trainload (the average number
OF tons OF freight in each train) has been
increasing is perhaps the plainest evil
dence of how the new improvements are
affecting operation. Five years ago, Erie's
trainlOad was 412 tons For the year end
ing June 1903, it was 469 tons, and for the
last year 495 tons-greater than Delaware
& Hudsons or New York Centrars train
load. and almost up to the standard set
by Lehigh Valley and Lackawanna. When
II is considered how much less Erie
traffic density is than that Of these other
roads, this improvement is all the more
remarkable. There seems TO be good
ground for the lmanagements belief that
eventually Erie will be bringing s5OO-ton
trains unbroken from its western terminus
into Jersey City.
Trains More puuctuoI
Another important result OF the physical
improvements effected Is the greater
punctuality of trains both passenger and
freight The comic papers used 20 give a
/ lot OF space to the Erie commuter and his
troubles, but all that is thing OF the past
| the public service records show a smaller
! percentage Of delayed trains on that road
than on any coming into Jersey City. Last
June, of the 2S5 fast freights operated Just
four failed to make successful connections
or arrive on time. Efficiency Of operatO on
OF that sort is what accounts for such a
] fact as that the Erie Is handling over
three-auartefs Of the fruit traffic between
New York and Chicago. Such business ex-
acts superior service.
In a number Of other ways It might be
shown how the money which has been
spent on Erie during the last few years
| has resulted in increased efficiency OF
operation. but enough has been said to sug-
gest the solid character OF the improve
mtnt which has been going on. by every
one who has studied the property Il Is
recognized and admitted. Regarding the
future OF Erie there Is no question from
a traffic standpoint. OF the ability OF the
present management TO build the road M
10 a high state of efficiency. The question
II there be any, Is strictly as to the money
side Of the proposition.
Admitting that with credit not OF the
best and with but a slender surplus. Erie
s nearing the time when heavy obligations
fall due. it Is hard TO see any real ground
for uneasiness. Early in 1903 when the
road was very much IN need OF money
capital TO finance It's requirements wal
forthcoming even in spite OF the deplor
able state Of earnings. Since then. as ha,
been shown. conditions have entirely
changed. earnings not only having beer
largely increased but an efficiency OF oper
alton developed which speaks well OF M
roads future earning power. II, wheI
things were as black as they were In 1908
the road was able 20 finance its require
ments how much better able viii Il be
under present condition 10 raise what
ever Il may need.
And as 20 the longer-range view It Is q