The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1910-01-26
Movement of Coal Advances In
crease of Business.
SHORT OF COAL CARS,
No Other Sh0rtage-Fruit Nov
ing in Good Shape.
Other Items of General Interest
in Railroad Circles.

Chicago, Jan. 26.-Traffic on the west
ern railroads shows improvement in
spite of the adverse weather conditions.
and in most lines of business there is
a sharp improvement over a year ago.
The movement of coal has been the
leading feature. as during the previous
week, hut the more moderate weather
has helped the congested sections and
supplies are now nearer a normal basis
than they have been for some time.
The roads are in better operating shape
than for several weeks, and officials
expect to move freight rapidly unless
there is another cold spell accompanied
by heavy snow fall.
There is a vast accumulation of.
freight at all of the large distributing
centers and it will take considerable
time to get this to destination, SO that
traffic men are able to count on plenty
of tonnage during the balance of the
winter and until late in the spring
1t is reported that wholesale merchants
nave orders for forward delivery, which
viii cause the merchandise tonnage to
extend well into the next summer This
is true of the products of the steel in
dustry as we'll as with manufacturers
of other commodities. Live stock ship
given preference over other freight dur
ing the cold spells, but it is hardly
likely that there will be another pro-
longed spell of frigid weather such as
was experienced during the entire
month OF December and which brought
the freight blockade at its height at
the beginning of the current month
Short of Coal Cars
Most of the roads are short of coal
cars, owing to the extraordinary move
ment which has been on during the
past fortnight. but for other purposes
they are fairly well supplied. although
in some localities grain shippers are
complaining because of slow delivery.
The roads of the northwestern section
have suffered most from the recent cold
weather and had the worst blockade in
their history, but officials say they are
working out.in pretty good shape. Their
operating. expenses have taken away
some Of the profits in the way of earn
ingS which were anticipated early in
the fall. when there were bright pros
poets for a heavy tonnage but as it is
there is plenty of freight in sight and
possibly there will be enough to make
up for the storm EXPENSES.
The big western trunk lines have SUI
fered quite a little on account of delay
ed fruit shipments from California, but
the milder weather. is bringing these
forward in Increasing volume. The dam
age to California fruit is estimated at
about 10 per cent.
From all parts OF the west come re-
ports of indications Of brighter pros
poets for a heavier trade during the
next few months. and this is giving the
railroad people great deal Of encour
agement. but at this season Of the year
there are always hindrances Of one
kind or another which the Transports
ton companies have to meet. and this
year has been unusually severe. Man
ufacturing districts have been held in
check on account of lack of cost and
high prices have somewhat impeded
the purchase of certain classes of
goods.
In spite of the unsatisfactory wealth
er most of the railroads reported
heavy passenger traffic.