The Sunday telegram. [volume] (Clarksburg, W. Va.) 1914-1927, 1916-12-31
WI, ARD SAYS FUTURE
is CAUSE FOR CONCERN
GitF1ouu1 He Admits That the
Year lust Ciosingis Most
Gratifying.

sTooking backward over the rail-
roa dsituatfon during the year Just
closed. there is in the achievements
4 Of the carriers much to be gratified
about says Daniel Willard, presl-
dent 81 the Baltimore and Ohio rail-
road situation during the year Just
problems ahead for the immediate
future and the general outlook offer
8sun1cient cause for concern and call
A the affairs Of the roads, public au-
thortties and the people generally. IL 4
the American transportation system
fs&to continue its mission Of public
service and business development
broad general lines.
tsThe situation during 1915 may
be summed UP as a somewhat para
dodcal one in respect to the rail-
roads," continued Mr.. Willard.
Cross earnings exceeded the recorc
during any previous year. Expenses
also mounted to their highest peak
as a result OF increased costs Of ma
terfals and supplies, higher rates OF
pay to transportation workers. ad-
vance In taxes and charges incident
80 compliance with the edicts Of au-
\ liberties in matters of national and
state regulation. so that the resultant
net while good compared with the
preceding two years, was not all that
there was reason to expect in o year
of such general prosperity.
It is hardly to be expected that
the earnings Of the carriers will be
increased to any appreciable extent
during 1917 with their present plant
capacity, but if business demands
continue and the roads are able to-
enlarge their facilities correspond
~ then the ratio of increase should.
be continued. Net earnings cannot
be expected to show any large i'm
provement for reasons already cited
\ bearing on costs and for the further.
reasons that during the winter
months with bad weather conditions
the expense increases; and other sit
nations present problems which
X should have tendcncytto keep the
net profits of transportation service
down.
THE abnormal volume OF business
handled by the roads during tho year
taxed the companies almost to ca.
pacity. Terminals were crowded md
practically every serviceable car and
locomotive was kept busy constantly
while new rolling stock was pur-
chased in large quantities. Even this
did not entirely meet the situation,
III fact, 1T was found impossible to-
carry out programs of betterment
with SUFFICIENT rapidity to prevent
complaints over a lack Of facilities.
The present inability Of the rail-
roads to furnish all the empty cars
desired for loading is not due entire
Iy To lack of equipment; indeed it is
doubtful whether the situation as a
whole could be greatly improved II
the railroads were in position to fur
nish all the cars desired at the pres
enti time, as one of the very serious
problems, and one directly Affecting
thescar supply, Is the inability to have
cars un1oaded and released promptly
after they have reached their destf-
nations. This has made 1t necessary
from time to time to place embar-
goes and thereby restrict the loading
n tosYaTious points and of various com
modiies! Nevertheless it has been
shown that there are not sufficient
cars on all of the railroads to han
die the business IN the volume that
tits now being offered. The present
high prices, however, will probably
keep the carriers from now making
additions to equipment beyond the
urgent needs for current require
luents.
The enlargement oftermInals will.
depend largely upon the point of
view of the roads individually con
corning the wisdom Of making the
increased Investment necessary un-
der existing circumstances.
In respect to the relations be-
tween the public and the carriers.
concluded Mr.. Willard, the review
as well as the outlook may be con
stdered promising. There Is a great
Improvement apparent everywhere In
the attitude OF the public towards
business interests and this IS reflected
IN respect to the railroads. The bet
ter understanding which has been
reached means much to the future OF
the carriers who desire to be fair to
their patrons and Just to the invest
\ Ing public The congressional 8inTestt-
cation by the Newlands committee
should accomplish much in bringing
about a better understanding Of the
present railroad situation as well as
\ the future needs Of the carriers.
55s ET5W RANK ST0EK