The Hawaiian gazette. [volume] (Honolulu [Oahu, Hawaii]) 1865-1918, 1915-10-05
SOUTHERN ROADS
ARE hit HARDEST
Santa Fe Gross Revenues For
Fiscal Year Drop $780,
600 Because of Canal

1t has been generally understood
that the Southern transc ontinentaI
roads are feeling the effects of the
competition with the Panama Canal
to a greater extent than the northwest
ern roads. 1t is officially estimated
that canal competition cost the Atchi-
son, Topeka 4 Santa Fe 81 ,250,000 in
gross revenues in the last fiscal year.
This compares with an estimate Of
$500, 900 for the Great Northern, and
81 900, 900 for the st. Paul
Loss Is Not Offset
The Atchison management has found
that there has been an increased ten
mage to the interior from Pacific Coast
points since the opening of the canal.
This point has been brought forward
frequently by observers as an Offset
ting balance to the loss of through
traffic. 1t was expected by sOne that
there would be an increase in total
tonnage to and from the Pacific Coast
by all carriers, both rail and water
This, however, has so far not been the
case. Hence, there has been no fully
offsetting benefit to rail carriers for
the loss of transcontinental business.
1t has also been cOntended that the
opening of the canal would see an
increase in immigration from Europe
to the Pacific Coast. This has not re-
suited, although until peace is re-
stored in Europe this phase cannot be
settled. Since the war, naturally,
all immigration has fallen to minimum
figures
In other respects the European war
has prevented clearer estimate to
the effects of the canal upon the rail,
roads. Many ships designed for the
canal traffic are being used more
profitably in other service as the re
suit Of the war and freight rates On
the remaining boats have been sub
stantiatly advanced. Atkinson obi
cials expect the close of the war to
change this situation. Lower boat
rates will be Offered, vessels will be
more plentiful and an increased ton
mage through the cauaI will follow.
Profitable At All-rail Rates
All the log traffic, on account Of the
heavy lUadin" and the long haul, was
considered profitable at the all-raiI
rates formerly ia effect in competition
with the Tehnantepec route and the
alI.water route around the Horn.
Atchison officials have found that
the coal boats are taking business not
only from the soaboards, but are
reaching well back into the interior.
This, of course, means that the inter
Tor manufacturers, producers and dis.
tributers are at a disadvantage as COM
pared with those ON or near the sea
board, condition which is already
having visible effect upon the Middle
West. The Atchison management tells
that this means increased development
along the seabOard at the expense of
the interior. r.
Although some railroad men seem
inclined tn minimize the effect of the
water competition the data compiled
by the railroads most vitality con
cerned would seem to emphasize the
Importance of the efforts of the rail
roads TO obtain from the Interstate
Commerce Commission rates that will
enable them to meet this water com.
petition on more equal grounds, and
to prepare themselves for the time
when the effects of the water route
can be gagged TO the dollar, says the
San Francisco Daily Commercial News
The European war creating abnormal
and tOpsy turvey ocean tonnage coud,-
tions has rather clouded the real stu.
alton for the time being