The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1910-09-29
Traffic Is Large and Net Earn
ings Are Good.
Roads in the West Were Never
in Better Shape.
NET RESULTS POOR.
Heavy Increase in Operating
COst-MOre Cars in Use.
Other Items of General Inter-
est in Traffic World.

Chicago, Sept. 29.-Railroads of the
vest and central west were never in
better shape for handling business
more promptly and for giving better
service to the public than at present
Ihey have the cars, motive power, and
other equipment, and their roadbeds
were never in better shape. They have
taken better care of their equipment
and officials say that with the equip
ment already ordered they are not in
need of any more for a long time to
come, and do not expect to be in the
market in d general way in the near
future.
Despite the excellent condition for
handling all classes of business, traffic
officials say that should it increase in
the next two months, as it has in the
same period in past years, there might
easily be a congested condition as i'll
previous years.
Business with all the railroads is
good, loadings equalling last years.
and with majority are showing a
small increase The aggregate volume
of freight moved east and west is sat
isfactory, and gross earnings show
substantial increases, but operating
cost more than eats up the increase in
gross revenue, and many of the rail-
roads are hard up.
This is shown by their bank deposits
which are drawn lower than for years,
but there is no prospect of any of the
leading railroads having financial diff
ficulties, although very poor showings
in that line are being made at the in
terstate commerce hearing on the pro-
posed advance in freight rates. This
increase in rates has been greatly over
estimated.
Taking it on the Rock Island it is
only $4,000 a year, and on some Of
the other roads around $4,000. while l
few run in excess of the above figures
An official of the Rock Island says:
If we cannot get what we want, as
shown by our tariff sheets, we might
as well take nothing. The increase in
freight rates asked for is only equal to
one-fourth Of 1 per cent of our annual
gross earnings"
With some of the roads the aggregate
freight traffic for the first half of Sep
TENDER is to 8 per cent larger than
last year. With others per cent in
crease is the best they can show. Coal
business, which has been light, owing
TO the Illinois mines being closed, is
rapidly improving since they have re-
opened in the mast few weeks, and in
dications are for a further enlarge
D1ert
Coal cars with some of the roads are
In short supply, and there is usually
the largest shortage of the year during
September and October. There is an
aggregate surplus of coal and gondola
cars on las railroads throughout the
country of 13,047 cars, compared with
14.208 two weeks ago, or an increase of
about 1000 cars over last year.
The shortage of all cars is 2,474 cars,
or about half Of a year ago. The sur
plus of all cars is 54,S90, a decrease o.
5,132 cars in the past two weeks, while
the shortage is 1874 cars, a reduction
of 1,419 cars in two weeks. Supplies Of
box cars are II, 7S6 above, as shown by
the surplus. decrease of nearly 3,00C
in two weeks, and the shortage is 8 36S
cars, decrease of 1924 cars from the
previous statement
The corn crop is fast nearing ma
turity, and the greater part, or so pei
cent, of it is practically safe from ar
ordinary frost. This has created moro
confidence aiming business interests
and greater volume is being trans
acted, with the outlook for the future
more satisfactory, despite the politica
unrest which prevails in most sections
Merchandise traffic over all railroad:
has increased, and shows larger vol
ume than in recent weeks, as well A
over last year.
Grain traffic last week was better
and deliveries at Chicago increased
100000 bushels, or 81 per cent over TIL
previous week, but decreased 171.O0
bushels, or 3 per cent, from last year
In the face Of the small gain for TIL
week the aggregate deliveries were 1,
$4,000 bushels, or % per cent below tn
average for the past five years. Re
ceipts of wheat decreased $4,000 bush
els for the week, while all other grain
increased, corn showing a gain of 80 90
bushels, oats 1853, 900 bushels, and ry
and barley 10000 bushels. AS com
pared with last year, wheat increase
10000 bushels. corn increased 374,0 90
bushels. oats decreased 629 600 bushels
and barley decreased 1900 bushels.
Little change was made in the posi-
ton of the grain carrying railroad
last week, the Northwestern having tn
lead, with 17.S per cent, the Illinoi
Central II per cent, the st. Paul 49,
Rock Island 1874. the Burlington IA, Al
ton SIS. Great Western 3, Wabash g.
Eastern Illinois Sc, and Atchison 3
per cent.
contract for 1000 new steel unde.
frame refrigerator cars has been give
the American Car and Foundry com
pany by the Atchison. Western raj
roads bought 5000 tons of steel raj
here last week, and there are fe
more small orders in sight.