News and citizen. [volume] (Morrisville, Vt. ;) 1881-current, 1913-10-08

by the introduction of different appliances
and facilities more rapidly than the roads
can obtain money then there Is but one
result for some of the railroads Of the
United States-and that is bankruptcy. l
believe the comm!ssioners-wh have such
great powers-reaizc their responsibility
to the owners Of the properties as well
as to the users. and | hope earnestly that
they will give practical evidence of their
realization by permitting some advances
In rates.
Should the commissions-federal and
state-make a positive declaration that
rates may be advanced so as to permit
the properties to meet all of their obliga-
tons, pay a fair return to stockholders
and leave a balance for improvements
they will do much for the entire country
and particularly for New England. Such
declaration will at once inspire conf
deuce and give to existing securities
better standing than they now have both
here and in Europe and will help to mar
ket new securities upon an interest basis
more favorable than is now possible, be-
cause Of the uneasiness in the minds or
investors about the future net earnings or
the railroads
Magnitude of Transportation Machine.
Let us look for a minute at a 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,lI5 miles
of track. OF the track 20 per cent Is in
Massachusetts 20 per cent in Connecticut
IA per cent in Maine, 10 per cent in New
York. IL per cent in New Hampshire,
per cent in Rhode Island, per cent in
Vermont and per cent elsewhere. There
are 3,l97 locomotives S,0SS passenger train
cars 1882 freight train cars and 3,54
work cars Then there is the marine
equipment of 240 steamers, tugs, barges,
etc. But this rolling stock is not standing
still. Each year the locomotives run about
80,0OO,000 miles, the passenger train cars
move 22O,0O0,00O miles, and the freight cars
move 624,000000 miles. The total mileage of
these units of equipment is 2,5O0O0O miles
per day, or more than 100000 miles every
hour.
Revenues, PayroIIs and Taxes.
The operating revenues of all the prop.
critics were for the last fiscal year in
round numbers $155 100000 The operating
expenses were $112,00000 900. OF operating
expenses approximately $660O0,000 or 50
per cent was paid in wages, an average
year. The remaining Al per cent or $ij-
100000 was paid for fuel, supplies, etc, but
a large part of it goes indirectly to labor
engaged in the production of the materi-
ais purchased. This large payroll is an
important factor to the communities serv-
ed by the properties, as much of the
money finds it's way each month to mer-
chants and others. The total taxes paid
by these properties was $7,6lOOOO, very
substantial contribution to the funds for
carrying on the government.
Employees and Investors.
To maintain and operate this great
machine requires the serV-
ices of from 10000 to 100000 men (92 1872 on
last PAYROLL. These employees and these
investors are drawn from all walks of
life. They are human beings with hopes
and aspirations and joys and sorrows |
The livelihood of employees necessarily |
depends upon the return from their labor |
and this in turn depends upon the pros
perity of New England and the railroads |
Of New England In a smaller degree the |
comfort and well being of many investors |
depend upon the return from their invest |
ment, and this also depends upon the |
of New England and of her
These investors and these EN- |
ployees, 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 be considered carefully |
IN the current tempestuous discussion in |
regard to the New England railroads?
The report of the interstate commerce |
about the New England rail- |
road situation was submitted by MIR.
Prouty on June 20, 1918. The very grave
of the suggestions and recon-
nendations and the source from which
hey come mean that they cannot be de-
,ided hurriedly and without very thor
,ugh study Already some steps have
oeen taken SO as to have closer super
yiSion of the details of the operations of
he properties. Other steps of this char
lcter will be taken if careful study of the
situation shows that they are necessary
or efficiency and safety. Every effort
will be made to build up a complete staff
# officers and men from those now in the
ervice and in New England, men who
NOW the local conditions and who will
espond loyalty to suggestions for the
loSest, most efficient and economical op-
ration. Is it not in the interest of New
England to treat her servants in the
abroad service so that the best talent
n the country will want to serve?
All of us are animated with a high pur-
ose to do our full duty, and we have no
esire for self ACKNOWLEDGMENT and self
Our reward will come if in
lme, this complicated machine can be
djusted so that it will run smoothly,
Iithout friction, pay a fair return to the
wners and become so much a part of the
ally life of the public that no more at
ention is paid to it than is paid now to
rawing water from a faucet or turning
n an electric light.
Faith In Future.
have faith in the future of New Eng
md and in the good sense and Judgment |
her people in arriving at the right con
usions when they understand and APP
rebate the real facts. l have hope that
better understanding of the railroad
de of the problem will be brought home
} the people, so that they can see the |
ifficulties which directors, officers and
Employees in the railroad service are try
g to overcome and that the people will
'alize the sincere spirit which animates
leSe men to do the best they can with a |
ficult situation. In such cases [ hone |
e can discuss the differences calmly. |
ithout prejudice and without any dis
rbance to the transportation machine
hich is SO delicately adjusted and with
1t any Generalization among officers
Id employees, because any disturbance
this transportation machine reacts in
any directions. l hope that if we should I
unable to agree among ourselves we
n arbitrate the matter in an orderly
ay before those tribunals and courts
hich have been created for such pur- a
ses.
I'M nj ANTE Ahout Rates ,nI E..:t:..