Martinsburg herald. [volume] (Martinsburg, W. Va.) 1881-1920, 1912-10-05
RECORD EARNINGS
OF B. B 0. RAILROAD
The August Total Was 100000 Ahead
of Highest In Previous
Month.

Baltimore, Sept. 27-That pros
perity is not myth but reality at
least so far rs the Baltimore and
Ohio Railroad is concerned, is con-
clusiyely proved by the earnings Of
this system for the month Of August
which were made public Wednesday
Gross earnings exceeded the returns
OF the corresponding month a year
ago by $5S7,756, and was 100000
more than the previous high level rec
ofded
No stronger testimony to the wise
policy pursued by Daniel Willard,
president of the company, in spending
money to make money could be fur
nished than the constantly increasing
business of the road
II was less than three years ago
that Mr.. Willard came to Baltimore
to direct the operations of the big
transportation enterprise. He had not
been here long before he decided up
on an elaborate plan for improving
the physical condition of the system
so that it could reap a larger share
of the traffic in its territory, traffic
which he estimated would enable the
company to earn at least 500, 100000
gross annually
TO accomplish this he told the board
of directors that at least $4,000 600
must be expended, and that the cost
probably would exceed that sum.
These figures seemed staggering at
first, but the board let Mr.. Willard
have his say and he lost no time in
getting down to work. In the inter
val approximately $70,000.000 has
been spent, and the indications are
that Mr. Wizards estimate of $780,
000 900 gross earnings viii be realiz-
ed this year.
The system is now double-tracked
TO Chicago, excepting for a stretch Of
a few miles, its equipment has been
enlarged, its terminal facilities I'M
proved, grades reduced, track
Strengthened and operating efficiency
improved at every point. The com
pany has $4,000 cars in use at the
present time, having added 1900
cars TO equipment in the last year,
with 1000 steel goudola cars to be de-
livered is November and December
But to return to the company's OPP
erations for August and the two
months OF the current fiscal year An
increase of S313,77S in transportation
expenses and an increase Of $215,892
in expenditures on maintenance of
way and structure and on equipment
practically Offsets this large increase
in revenues. the net gain being reduc-
ed TO S590l5. Gross earnings for
July and August were s1,319,4S4 lar
ger than in July and August, 1911.
Mel earnings for the two months
named increased $205,763 over the
corresponding period of the preceding
fiscal year
The violent and continuous storms
throughout July and August and the
accompanying damage TO the Sand
Patch tunnel forced the company to
use the tracks OF the Western Mary
land for several weeks at heavy eS-
pense. and also uecessitated an add
tiOnal heavy outlay for repairs These
repairs have been completed and the
line is again open for the free move
ment OF traffic.
The new doubletrack tunnel will be
completed in December or January
next and the road win then be free
from danger Of future blockades and
Interruptions to business in that quar-
ter The cost Of the new tunnel will
be S1500,o0o Its completion will
bring 20 a successful finish the Ella
borate campaign Of Improvement bet
terment and reconstruction entered
upon by M. Willard