Bisbee daily review., 1913-01-26
AN INTERESTING
RAILROAD TALK
Samuel 0 Dunn, Editor of
the Railway Age Gazette
Is interviewed During
His Visit to Tucson
WATCH BOND ISSUE


way Age Gazette. and an authority on
railroad economics, spent one day this
week in Tucson as the guest of local
railroad men. Mr. Dunn was returning
from california where he left MS
family for the winter and his trip 20
the southwest at this time combines
purposes of business and pleasure. He
will return 10 New York by way al
Ell PasO, Houston and New Or
leans.
VI find business conditions in the
southwest good, but the recent cold
weather put a decided crimp in all
ines OF business, he said to the star
Tie first damage to crops was reflect
ed throughout all lines and especially
in the railroad business. This condition
however, do not believe TO be per
manent and will not extend beyond
the present crop year.
The much talked Of car shortage
was relieved late in the year 1872.
about the middle OF December. and at
that time the supply and demand for
cars was about balanced, said NJ.
Dunn, answering the question If this
could be construed into a providentiai
relief of the car shortage.
How does the railroad industry
view the incoming Wilson administra-
tion?" the editor was asked
About like all other business
views it, he replied. They appear
70 be somewhat uncertain and are sit
ting back awaiting developments.
Labor Hard TO Get
ssf'ondffEnpxs sr, ha rafIraaE
ness have Seen such in the last few
years" the editor declared. talking ct
general conditions, that the Iessened
expenditures for maintenan9A indi-
Gated in the railroad reports. de not
truly reflect a condition that they
would seem to indicate. This is not
caused By the decreased cost Of main
tenance under normal conditions, but
is the result of a lack OF labor. On
this continent the trouble in Mexico
has cut down the labor supply and as
a result the railroads have not put
as much OF the money earned back
Unto maintenance and Improvement
as they desired The Balkan war
also has mitigated against improve
ments and better maintenance. Hun
dreds of Greek laborers and labOrens
of other nationalities have been taken
from section crews and sent TO Balkan
battlefselds.
The railroads are watching the pro-
posed bend issue OF $4,000, 000 by the
Baltimore & Ohio railroad for I'M
proyements, and the success of this
venture will have a large influence on
railroad development in this country,
according TO Mr.. Dunn. The railroad
( interests are regarding this proposed
loan with a great deal Of interest
he said II the road Is successful
in disposing Of their bonds to the pub
lie it viii inspire other issues for ex-
tensions and improvements. II viii
be a straw that viii indicate the pres
ence or lack OF confidence The
road IS efficiently managed under rs
president and is a factor IN the rail-
road world"
The automobile parcel post crossed
the street ahead OF Mr.. Dunn and the
Interviewer, and ID suggested topic
OF conversation.
Efficiently IN Government.
] What do you think OF the parcels
lpOst?" Mr. Dunn was asked.
We'll, ] think this. That II yol
and were competitors IN business
and / mad to make dividends and you
did not. that you would be poor SOL
il you did not make a success 81
your business.
What we need Is more efficiency -
i government declared Mr.. Dunn viii
4 eaTnesfness. TAKE the pOstOfiice de
+ partment. for instance. There is ab
solutely no way OF telling whether i
pays or not, though We do know tina
/ il nearly always has a deficit. Tns
only way 10 tell whether a business 4
being successfully conducted IS 10 de
fterJnine swhether or not il Is payin
i. iiniehest on the Investment and I
paying operating and maintenance ex
! penses. Nov the postofflee department
Is not charged gp with lis maznfs
nance. in that. as / understand i, th'
rental OF its buildings not owned 2.
the government is charged up 10 TN
treasury department The only wa,
20 get efficiency In government Is 4