The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1912-01-13
Why Freight Rates Differ in
Sections of Country.
Revenue in East 500 Per Cent.
Per Square Mile.
VOLUME OF TRAFFIC
Density of Population Has Much
to Do With Figures.
Other Items of General Interest
in Traffic World.

The interstate commerce commits
sion's last volume of statistics gives
a bit of information which answers the
question often asked, Why are freight
rates higher in one section of the coun-
try than in another section? The COM
mission has divided the United States
into ten groups for the purpose OF
classifying statistical data. and in the
report referred to the following conf
parisOn is made:
Group S is made UP of Kansas, a
part of Missouri, Arkansas, Oklahoma,
the Panhandle Of Texas, Colorado anu
a part OF Now Mexico. The railroads OF
grCup serve $4,000 square miles of
territory The freight revenue OF all
the lines II group last year was $loo'-
S25. BAT or $442.77 per square mile
The railroads of groups and 3, maoe
up of New York. New Jersey, Delaware
PENNSYLVANIA. Ohio, Indiana ana Mlchl-
gan. serve 100000 square miles or ter
ritory, about the same sized territory
as that of group 8. The rrelgnt rege
last year was 1924, 1874, POS, or $2'oSO.9O
per square mile.
a student in Garden City this week
asked the publicity department OF tne
Santa Fe for information on the sue
iect. and J. f. farrell, puohclty agent
cited him the figures given apoVe. me
fact that the revenue of the eastern
lines is nearly 500 per cent heavier pei
mile OF territory 6CANCN
that of the western lines might pc az
signed as a reason for making a nls!.-
or rate in the west than is made III
the east Mr.. farrell said in ms let
ter to the Garden City inquirer. .--
Continuing Mr.. FARRELL said: New
York. New Jersey, Delaware ana REM
sylvania. comprising group 2 are ne
most thinly inhabited Sectlols u LIZ
country. The railway conlbdI i -, -
pro,lp 2 operate %, 2Z6 miles of ROAD, from
which they received last year a taIai
operating revenue of $3.50 756,lH. 1nS
territory in group is not oehsely P9pd
ulated. In fact most OF IL Is rec =. a II
as srsrseiy settled, when compared WIN
New York ard Pennsylvania. Inc ran
wavs of group operated 2,49V liilies u
road 9.224 more than reported III Seoup
. vet the total operating revenue OIL tne
lines of group last year was oslly
s597 $50 ass or $3.50, 075, 209 less than the
revenue of the lines in group Z
..rl'he total operating expense OF group
with % 226 miles Of road, ana IS 80
nue. of $525, 1871, was $S'O,oSS a'S iii
% A50 miles of road, and revenue VI
S7s7 $50 5e8. was $160.SSS,1SS. Inc ope.-
atiug ratio of the two groups - ~ 1x 80
cally the same, about 68 per cent. " ~,
the mileage of group is ~ per EN-
lass than that of group s, and the oFsao
ting revenue of group more thah 1Vo
ner cent greater than that OF sIoup 20, o.
and the operating ratio l..S $500 -,
=
rom are nearly as low as those
charged in group = a., ,7o,s,
The volume of traffic 1rid me us ss,,
,on,1I~ticn generally have been
recognized as strong Iast9l7 IL ~ +j,,e-
road rate making Railroads op per td.
,,-Te,.e MESSENGER traffic and freight ioll-
y me nele are pr heavy can do business on
rates than G ye7 t and e tomPags aP
{ seS.aa ti1-elv light That is one or the
sonditions entering into the ca naiTs is'n o
If the raten aker- But ar ANA ;s pc
10 Interstate commerce commission
me lls' indicates that this condition has
oot been considered by western afe
.tcrs in the establishment OF rate
. atol5 &c passenger rates, the re
show ere lower in tn ths t ipsFs ars
* IT, consested New York and Penn
5gSania gr and , meStdrn down frsE tn
-ney are n the history Of railroading.
Outstanding the cost Of he1n aT b he-