The Lake County times. [volume] (Hammond, Ind.) 1906-1933, 1913-03-14


plants with the closing down of two
or three of the small and Improbable
ones. inherited in the course OF organi-
zation. The company when formed was
rated with a capacity of 1000 to 1900
locomotives yearly. There has been
such radical change in conditions
since that time respects size of To-
comotives that comparison on a number
basis is no longer equitable or accur-
ate.
For instance, a few years ago a 100
ton locomotive was considered the limit
of size. Today 200 ton moguls are not
uncommon. And in point OF selling
price the big locomotives sell for three
times what the average locomotives eff
ten years ago commanded On an av-
erage locomotives today sell at prices
so per cent higher than in 1900 and
there has been of course a correspond
ing increase in size
American Car and Foundry.
The American Car and Foundry COM
pany is having much better wear In
the present than it had in the previous
one, and the statement of earnings.
both net and gross. for the fiscal period
ending April 80, 1918, will show mark
ed Improvement when compared with
months
ed April 80. 1912.
! 1t will be remembered that in its
1912 year the company earned but pa
per cent for the $4,000, 1000 common
contrasted with 10 per cent in 1911
Net thi syear will probably be less than
I in 1911 but should be from 81 ZOO, 900 to
! 81 100000 more than in 1912. or say a
balance for the common of from 5 per
cent to 6 per cent.
/ The company is excellently fixed as
respect car orders on hand. There is
on the books at present at least five
months forward business. AS produc-
ton runs. allowing for slow deliveries
of steel from the steel companies 1t is
perhaps safer to say that there is six
months production on the order books.
The company began its fiscal year on
May 1. 1912. with between three and
flour months of unfinished business 1t
was able to get fair volume of bust
mess during the six months TO Oct 81,
so that taken as whole the ten
months to March j has shown a larger
percentage OF capacity continuously
i utilized tan any year since 1905.
Delivery of Material SLOW
There have been hampering delays
in getting steel and other materials re-
Iquired in car construction delivered or
thine. and this factor has played its part
lin holding back production from con-
sideraly larger totals.
| American Car and Foundry in Its
biggest boom year did something over
1900, 100000 of gross business. That
figure will not be reached this year.
The company is in very strong po-
sition as respects working capital the
net quick assets running between 49,
900, geo and $50. 900. 900. Cash position
has been especially favorable for tn.
last two years and the close of tht
fiscal year should see cash fund a
least as large as the $4,000 carrie
on April 80, @q12.
The buying movement in cars which
lstarted lats fall has continued In fail
} volume into this year. January and
} February. for instance. saw car orders
! placed FOR between $1,000 and $1,000
; cars the company receiving its fat
, proportion.
The present outlook is that American
: Car will close its fiscal period wit
orders on hand for total of nearly a
} many cars as on April 80. 1912. All thi
{ is encouraging In view of the some
e what unsettled conditions ahead TO
the balance of the 1918 calendar period