The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1912-06-17
RAILROAD NEWS
Good Prospects Shown in
Santa Fe Spring Report.
Car L0adings Make Good Gain
Last Few Weeks.
LOOKING TOWARD KANSAS
Prosperity in This State Has
Effect on Entire Line.
Other Items of General Inter.
est in Traffic World.

A report made public in Topeka
today shows flattering prospect in
the lines of the Santa Fe. The report
reads:
Santa Fe's loading has shown in
creases of 10 to IL per cent several
weeks, but gross earnings have not
kept pace with tonnage because each
years new settlement of southwest
reduces average haul, which now is
4 to per cent less than a year ago.
Character of current freight is as
good as a year ago except for short
as result of last December's severe
freeze in California. May loading
showed small increases in grain and
live stock, substantial increase in lum-
Der and very substantial increase in
miscellaneous freight.
Merchandise was slightly better
than ever, and continues to pick up
as general business improves with adj
vancing crop season and seasonable
weather.
May operating conditions were
good except for some waShouts in
Oklahoma and along Rio Grande
which is now higher than for many
years. Officials did not object seri-
ously to flood Inconvenience because
it means abundant moisture for soil.
Most of Mays increase in gross earn
ings should be saved for net earnings
as operating expenses increased very
little in spite of high average payroll
and increased cost of fuel since coal
miners wages were advanced.
Better Than Last Year.
The Santa Fee management regards
business prospects much better than
year ago, when agricultural outlook
was poor. Business men everywhere,
it says, feel that conditions are good,
and there is more disposition among
them to place orders. Santa F'e's
Al
ceptionally good-almost as good as
they could be. Officials estimate crop
season nearly two weeks late, but do
not worry about that at all.
Planting of cotton and corn is prac-
tically finished, with large acreages
in some places. Harvest of oats has
begun around Temple, Tex. Oats
acreage is large and that crop also is
in good condition. Everywhere pas
practically finished, resulting in as
heavy yield as was ever seen in san
ia Fe territory. Some places produced
two to three tons of alfalfa
Kansas Prosperity Means Much.
Usually first cutting of hay is lighter
than second, but such may not be the
case this year, as first cutting was 81
per cent heavier than average. Santa
much above federal or state reports
and about 100000. One county in
Kansas is expected to harvest 1,000,-
900 bushels more. Kansas prosperity
means much to the Santa Fe.
Minor crops are no less promising.
Citrus fruit in Southern California set
well after poisoning season and
promises big crop. What California
fruit means to railroads is indicated by
last seasons contribution of $4,000
cars to initial carriers, which derived
about $500 per car in revenue there |
from. They expect 20 per cent in
crease or more from this years crop, |
or about 100000 increased revenue |
for all of them, including $1,000,000 |
increase for the Santa Fee, which |
stands second only to Hartman sys-
tenn as citrus fruit carrier.
Big minor crops include 1,500 car
loads of potatoes being shipped out of !
section southwest of Galveston. 1t is |
too early to estimate potato crop else !
where, but indications point to a good
season for vegetables. In Arkansas
river valley there is large acreage of
sugar beets and sugar men expect
enough to run all factories this year,
in contrast with short operations last |
fall