The Olneyville times. (Olneyville [Providence, R.I.]) 1887-1917, 1913-10-03
Continued from fourth page

United States-and that is bankruptcy.
believe the commit mssioners-Who have such
great powers-realze their responsibility
10 the owners OF the properties as well
as 20 the users. and / hope earnestly that
they Will give practical evidence OF their
realization by permitting some advances
in rates.
Snould the commissions-federal and
state-make a positive declaration that
rates may be advanced SO as 10 permit
the properties 20 meet all OF their ohliga-
tions, pay a fair return 10 stockholders
and leave n balance for improvements
they Will DO much FOR the entire country
and particularly for New England. Such
a declaration will at once inspire CONF
dence and give 10 existing securities
better standing than they now have both
here and In Europe and will help 10 mar
ket new securities upon an interest basis
more favorable than is now possible, be-
cause OF the uneasiness In the minds OF
investors about the future net earnings or
the railroads
Magnitude Of Transportation Machine.
Let us look for a minute at few facts
about the great transportation machine
made up OF the New Haven and New Eng
land lines and associated properties. There
are 1876 miles OF railroad and l4.i75 miles
Of track. OF the track ~ per cent is In
Ia per cent in Maine, IL per cent In New
York. ~ per cent in New Hampshire,
per cent in Rhode Island. per cent in
Vermont and per cent elsewhere. There
are 3la7 locomotives. s,OSS passenger train
cars. 1862 freight train cars and S.5H
work cars. Then there Is the marine
equipment OF A0 steamers. tugs, barges
etc. But this rolling stock is not stand
ing still. Each year tho Locomotives
f...t,A e s,,f1a .arhfrI
train cars move "a. .OOO0lO miles. and the
freight cars move 624 100000 miles The
total mileage Of these units of equipment
r. 250O,0O0 miles per day, or mora thar
10000 miles every hour
Revenues, Payrolls and Taxes.
The operating revenues OF all the prop
critics we're for the last fiscal year In
round numbers s1b5, 900 OOl, The operating
expenses were $4,000 or operating
expenses approximately $060O0.00 or 50
per cent was paid In wages an average
payment to each employee OF about 500
year The remaining IL per cent or Si6,-
10000 was paid for fuel, supplies, etc. but
p large part of II goes indirectly TO labor
engaged IN tho production OF the materi-
abs purchased. This large payroll is an
important factor TO the communities serv-
ed by the properties, az much or the
money rnds its way each month to mer-
chants and others. Tho total taxes paid
by these properties was T,ei0,0oo. very
substantial contribution TO the funds for
carrying on the government.
Employees and investors.
To maintain and operate this great
transportation machine requires the serv-
ices OF from $4,000 to 100, 0OO men (9z1S2 on
last payroll. Those employees and these
investors are drawn from all walks or
life. They are human beings with hopes
and aspirations and Joys and sorrows.
Tho livelihood OF employees necessarily
depends upon the return from their labor
and this I'm turn depends upon the pros
perity OF New England and the railroads
of New England. In a-smaller degree the
comfort and wen being OF many investors
depend upon the return from their Invest
ment, and this also depends upon the
prosperity Of New England and Of her
railroads. These investors and these EN-
poyees. with their families, on the basis
OF four To one, make $4,000 people, or
nearly one-tenth OF the population OF New
England Should not their rights, com
forts and feelings DO considered carefully~
I'm the current tempestuous discussion IN
regard TO the New England railroads?
The report OF the Interstate commerce
commission about the New England rail
road situation was submitted by Mr..
Prouty on June 20, 1919. The very grave
Importance OF the suggestions and rec
concentrations and the source from which
they come mean that they cannot be
decided hurr1ediy aud without very thor
ouRh Ftudy Already some steps have been
taken go as 20 have closer supervision Of
the details Of the operations OF the proper
ties Other steps Of this character viii be
taken II careful study OF the situation
shows that they are necessary for eifcien-
cy and safety Every effort Will be made
TO build UP n complete staff OF officers and
men from those now in the service and In
New England, men who know the local
conditions and who will respond loyally 70
suggestions for the closest, most efficient
and economical operation ls II not in the
interest OF New England TO treat her serv-
ants I'm the railroad service 80 that the
best talent IN the country will want TO
server
All OF us are animated with high prr-
pose 20 do our full duty, and we have no
desire for self aggrandzement and self
glorihcation. Our reward will come II. in
time this complicated machine can be
adjusted 80 that II will run smoothly
without friction. pay a fair return 10 the
owners and become 80 much a part OF the
daily life OF the public that no more at
tention Is paid TO II than In paid now 20,
drawing water from faucet or turning
on an electric light
Faith In Future.
have faith In the future OF New Eng
land and In the good sense and judgment
IL her people In arriving at the right con
cIusions when they understand and ap-
preciate the real facts. ! have hope that
a better understanding OF the railroad
side OF the problem Will be brought home
20 the people. so that they can soc the
difficulties which directors. officers anr
employees Ia the railroad service are try
Ing to overcome and that the prIpI" Will
realize the sincere spirit which au.Watef
these men to do the best They can with
difficult situation. ln such cH es B hope ~
can discuss the differences calmly, Wltnou.
prejudice and without any disturbance Co.
the transportation machine which Dos So del
lcately adjusted and without any demDral
ization among officers and employ ces be
cause any disturbance OF this transport
ton machine reacts in many directions. =
hope that II we should be- unable TO agree
among ourselves wo can arbitratc the
matter Ina an orderly way before those
tribunals and courts which have been
created for such purposes.
Complaints About Rates and Facilities.
important complaints about the railroad
generally arise from, first. a desire Of
..ra r,orson or community ia have hot