The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1913-12-19
Steady Reduction Of Traffic in
the West.
Outlook Does Not Promise Inn
prOvements.
BIG DECREASE IN BUSINESS
Railways Are Returning All
Foreign Cars.
Other Items of Interest In the
Traffic World.

Railroads in nearly all sections Of the
west northwest and southwest are con-
fronted with a steady reduction IN their
traffic, and officials do not regard the
outlook az promising any Improvement.
Most Of them take rather q pessimistic
view Of the near future. and are unanie
to see where there is to be a decided
gain in ioadings or earnings for this OF
next month, or for the first part OF next
year. This is the way the New YORK
Evening Post sums up conditions TOT
this period Of the year.
There will be a liberal movement OF
freight everywhere, but not enough 70
keep the equipment of the roads Wei
employed, and they are now actively
engaged in returning all foreign cars
a. fast as possible to reduce expenses
Roads that in years past at this time
have been short Of cars, and kept all
those Of other roads that they could
get. are now sending them back as fast
rs possible.
That business has decreased is shown
by the increase of q, 407 idle cars from
November Is to December 1. and
decrease in the shortage of 1875 cars
The shortage being down to small pro-
portions as compared with last year.
and the surplus looks large as 1t ex-
ceeds that Of a year ago by over H.
900 cars. A year ago there was a net
shortage of 1854 cars.
Not Cold Enough for Coal.
1t has not been cold enough for
big business in COAL and the movement
of this article from mine Is less tnan
last years, and all roads are well sup
piled with idle cars. Shipments of mer-
chandise show falling off. and roads
that make a practice of sending out
trains of cars with merchandise each
day, say the tonnage is light owing to
the cars being sparingly loaded, as
buying of merchandise is in small lots
There is the usual decrease in the
movement of coarse freight, such as
building materials which is about over
for this season, although it has kept up
better than in recent years owing to the
mild weather.
Railroads east of the Missouri river
have had an easy time of it OF late.
while those In the west have been up
against the toughest operating condi-
lions experienced IN years. Floods in
Texas from the north boundary to the
Gulf damaged q great deal of railroad
and other property, and suspended
operations of many roads for several
days.
Losses on Santa Fee.
The Santa Fe suffered losses from
floods in the southwest, and from ex-
cessive snowfall in southern Colorado
and northern New Mexico, four to five
feet falling, which tied up parts of the
Atchison line for " hours last week,
creating a temporary loss In business.
which may be made up later 1t also
reduced the revenue, while operating
expenses were increased. This indi-
Gates that earnings will not be as large
as previously counted on.
The Illinois Centrafs loadingS are
running even with last year, but Off
Gals are uncertain as to the length of
time they will continue on that plane.
The Rock Islands loadings and revenue
show a large decrease from last year.
The Northwestern and Burlington show
fair reductions for the week and from
last years loadings. Passenger traffic,
which has been good, has decreased
of late.
Snow and rain over the winter wheat
country has given the southern part
Of Kansas and northern Oklahoma suf-
hcient water for the first time within
a year. The cold weather early in the
week may have damaged the plant
somewhat, but it Is impossible to tell
at present.
Little change was made in the posi-
tion Of the grain growing roads last
week. the Northwestern having rs per
cent, the St. Paul q per cent, the
Rock Island Is per cent. Illinois Cen
trail s per cent. Burlington per cent.
Eastern Illinois and Great Western s
per cent. each, Alton 4 per cent, 500
Line per cent, and the Santa Fee and
wabash ! per cent. each.
ABOLISH HoMEsEEKERs' FARES.
Railroads Fear Low Rates Are Used
for Commercial Purposes.
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