The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1912-01-02
RAILROAD NEWS.
A Pessimistic New Year on the
Rock Island.
President Nudge Does Not Seem
Encouraged.
UT DOWN SCHEDULES
Running Time of Trains Re-
duced for Economy.
Other Items of General Interest
i'm Traffic World.

1t is evident from the publicly ex-
pressed IDEAS of President Nudge, of
the Rock Island Lines, that very little
additional funds will be spent on i'm
proVements in the year 1912. In a
statement to the Railway Age-Gazette
both President Nudge and Vice Presi-
dent Melcher have expressed their
views on the railroad situation for the
coming year. Their views have been
made public from the general head
quarters in Topeka. They follow;
Fl. u. Nudge: THE railways must
purchase an average amount of equip
ment, first, to provide for replacement
of obsolete and destroyed equipment,
and second, to take care of the natural
increase in traffic that we know must
come. The large purchases made re-
Gently are due to the very low prices,
the reduction in the price on freight
cars from that purchased last year be-
ing equal to about five years interest
on the money. With this in view, it IS
easily seen why the railways feel that
they can afford to borrow money and
purchase equipment, even though it is
not needed at present. do not think
the railways will spend more money
on maintenance, improvements, add1-
tions or on construction next year, be-
cause if does not appear that condl-
tions will be sufficiently settled to en-
able financing to be done for this pur-
pose. I do not regard the business out
look for 1912 as being very encouraging.
think we may possibly get through
without further serious decreases IN
earnings, but I can see no reason to
expect any increases.
Reduce Running Time.
Il can only see one possibility for q
very material increase in economy, and
that is Dy reducing the running time
of both freight and passenger trains
There has been a considerable saving
made on the western lines in this way,
but the tendency of some lines to break
away makes it doubtful whether 1t can
be maintained. I do not think TINS re-
suits in impairment of the service
rendered to the public. believe slower
time freight trains with regular service
is better than fast time with a percent
age of trains off time.
F. o. Melcher, second vice presloent
Of the Rock Island Lines, says: 1t IS
essential that the regulation OF inter
state carriers be concentrated in the
federal government rather than SUB
jected to the diverse views of 40 diff
ferent governments. Can this be best
done by means of legislation specifying
federal incorporation or by other meth
DDS? 1 do not know, but that the es-
adjustment of minimum requirements
nv congress of standard practices ana
The commitment of the interstate COM
1erce commission to these require
nents would seem to accomplish the
Let us defer further legislation I'M
Ill the present and existing laws are
nTeIllE6nLIX ~
nent officers The ability of the in
erstate commerce commission to ad-
our present multitude Of laws |
s vet to be demonstrated.
..There has been no increased eth-
.iencv on the part of labor of late |
ears, except as developed by iinprov.
ID machinery installed at the cost of
he employer. The attitude of the en-
,lovees with regard to demands for
vase increases is not more reasonable
han heretofore.