The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1916-04-04
FINDS TRAFFIC RUSH
NOW ON So. PACIFIC
Chairman Kruttschnitt After
10000 Mile Trip Tells Of
Improvement.
AUTOS RIVAL TRAINS

Julius kruttschnitt, chairman OF the
Southern Pacific executive committee.
returned 10 New York yesterday after
a trip Of 10000 or II 900 miles over the
company's lines.
"I am very hopeful regarding the out
look for the treatment OF the %country's
railroads" said Mr.. kruttschnitt. Ten
years ago we decided to go direct to the
public and the results have been sur
prising. There IL better feeling every
where between corporations and the peo-
pie. II is no unusual thing now to go
from one end OF our system to the other
without hearing q single complaint. Ten
years ago this would not have been
dreamed OF
The fellow who is doing the harm
now In the professional politician and
railroad corporations may rest assured
Of sanity In the ultimate treatment q
their case because the people are the
flnai masters Of politicians and admin
lstrations."
Mr.. Kruttschnitt said that trafic 10
and from the mines In the West was
very active and that lumber traffic was
also good. lie said that n majority OF
the lumber mills in Oregon were resum-
ing operations and that a large number
OF those In California would start up
q month earlier than in former seasons.
Heavy Damage Done by storms.
February was n month In which
large expenditures had TO be made for
exceptional damages to roadway and
structures suffered in January and a
part Of February. caused by the severest
storms In the history OF southern Cali
fornia and by the heaviest snowfall In
A. --- ~ ~. Ia, az
Mr.. Eruttschnitt. 1.-THE operating 9fi-
GERS Of the company deserve great credit
for the slight interruption to the move
ment of trains. the passenger traffic
over the Sierras having been conducted
with very little delay. In the face or
the increased hangers caused by the
heavy storms no accidents OF any de-
scription occurred.
The freight business is exceptionally
heavy. The blockade Of the Panama
Canal contributes To the volume OF
freight traffic, but the indications are
that so many vessels formerly engaged
in traffic between Atlantic and Pacific
ports have been diverted to the very
lucrative transatlantic traffic prevail
ing at the present time that the full
effect Of the rcopening Of the canal will
not be Immediately felt on railroad tom
mage.
THE interference Of the war with
usual trade routes has resulted in our
rail lines getting the carriage OF Oriental
freights that formerly took the Suez
route. This business would be much
larger II II were not limited by the
scarcity " ocean tonnage on the Pacific
Ocean.
Little Loss Through Revolution.
"There has been considerable traffic
in troops and equipment for the United
States Government Il. connection with
the Mexican border troubles. all OF which
has been moved promptly on demand.
When asked what damage had been
done TO southern Pacific property in
Mexico. MIR. Kruttschnitt said that only
small railroad ridges had been de-
stroyed by the revolutionis's and that
the large steel and masonry structures
had not been injured. This, he eN-
plained. WAS due to the efforts Of South
ern Pacific officers in Mexico. who had
reasoned with the revolutionIsts. only
two small railroad stations have been
burned.
"Crops in California promise WELL
said Mr.. kruttsChuitt. $50 Tar there
has been no damage from frost. sugar
beets are In exceptionally good cond!-
ton. The estimate of the total move
ment of citrus fruits has been raised
by our freight department from $1,000
to $1,000 carloads.
general business in California Is
good. Manufacturers II merchants
generally report business on the up
grade and are cheerful.
Through passenger business shows a
fall in comparison with the heavy traf-
fc of las, year, due TO the opening OF the
exposition. Local passenger business
has been very much affected 10y pri-
vatcly owned automobiles. more so than
by the ji,neys. The State of California
has bullt a very large mileage of adj
mirable roads on which automobiles can
make speeds of twenty-five to thirty
Ave miles an hour with comfort and
Journeys by automobile between points
100 to 1870 miles apart are now quite
common
Mr.. Kruttschnitt said that tho only
Southern Pacific financing in prospect
was the sale of some Sc 900 900 or &c.
500, 600 equipment trust notes in pay