The sun., 1916-12-31
WILLARD SEES MANY.
RAILROAD PROBLEMS
But Carriers Have Much to Be
Proud Of in Their 1916
Record.

pan.cI willard. vreSiden; 81 the Bait
more and Ohio railroad. IN reviewing
the year iust closed, says that the
achievements Of the railroads afforded
much 10 he zratihed about, although
problems crcpt In which remain TO be
solved. These problems and he general
outlook, Mr.. Willard says. give cause for
concern and call for the best Efforts OF
those directing the railroads. the public
Authorities and the public generally, IL
the American transportation system Is
io continue ~ service along broad.
general lines.
THE situation during 1916" Mr.. VII
lard says, ''may be summed up as n
somewhat paradoXical n In respect To
the railroads. Gross earnings exceeded
the record Of any previous year. Ex-
penses also mounted Ia their highest
peak az a result of Increased costs ~
materials and supplies. higher rates ~
pay to transportation workers. advance
in taxes and charges incident TO ON
pliance with the cd.cts Of authorities in
matters or national and State rcgu,,t-
ton. so hat the resultant net. while
good compared with the preceding two
years, was not al, tina there WAS reason
10 expect In Il year OF such general pros
perity.
"It IN hardly 20 he expected hat The
eArntNKS OK tnS 'drTlfTS VIII I've !"
creased to any appreclable extent during
1917 with their present plant capacity.
but II busir ess demands continue and the
roads are able to enlarge their facilities
c~orrespondinEly the ratio OF increase
should be continued. Net earnings can-
not be expected to show any large I'M
provement for reasons already cited
bearing OF costs. and for the further
reasons tina during the winter months
IA "A ,l.. aay,JtftAt,a th. NyNanG ~
increases and other situations present
problems which should have n tendency
10 keep the net profits Of transportation
service down.
'The abnormal volume Of business
| handled by the roads during the year
taxed the companies almost to capacity.
Terminals were crowded and practically
every scrviceable car and locomotive
were Kept busy constantly. while new
rolling stock was purchased in large
quantities. Even this did not entirely
meet the situation In fact, II was found
impossible to carry out programmes OF
b%etternent with sufficient rapid!ty 20
prevent complaints over a lack of facsll-
ties,
THE present inability OF the railroads
TO furnish all the empty ears desired for
loading Is not due entirely TO lack OF
equipment indeed, II Is doubtful
whether Inc SITUATION as a Wnoic Wouiu
he greatly improved II the railroads were
IN position to furnish all the cars de-
sired et tho present time, as one of tho
seriou problems. and one directly AZ
fccting the car supply. Is The inability
tn have ears unloadcd and released
| promptly after they ave ,recahed their
destination. This has made Il necessary
from time to time to place em%bargoes
and thereby restrict the loading to
various points and OF various commodi-
ties.
Nevertheless il has been shown thai
there are not sufficient cars on all OF the
railroads to handle the business In the
| volume that II is now being offered. Tho
present high prices, however. will prob
ably keen tho carriers from now maxi
ing additions to equipment beyond the
urgent needs for current requirements.