The Detroit times., 1916-03-23
IMPROVEMENTS
FOR P. N. ROAD
Increased Earnings Permit S.
100000 Expenditure
In 1916

Increased earnings during tho
past year anu strict economy hav'
enabled the Pere Marquette to piar
expenditures during the COMING
season OF more than sS.o0o.ooo fol
maintenance, renewals and improve
ments. In speaking OF these plans
Operating Receiver Paul II. Kinl
gives credit for the good showing
made to efficiency on the part oi
the whole organization OF the road
and 10 the people OF Michigan who
have rallied TO its support.
Our men have demonstrated thai
the railroad can give the right kind
OF service said MIR. King, and the
patrons have shown their apprecia
ton by giving us their business
These two factors have had much tC
do with our successful year. There
is still a long road to travel. how
ever. before this railroad is clear
OF It's difficulties. II should not be
forg GOTTEN that during the first two
years of the receivership there was
incurred about ss.o0o,0o0 OF indebt
edness TO keep the -oad in opera
ton because revenues were below
operating expenseF Only year be
fore last. II was necessary to Dor
row money TO pay the state taxes
This year We have the money or
hand 10 meet this obligation which
amounts to s525.o0o. With the CO
operation of our men and OF on
patrons there Is every prospect OF
making this Michigan railroad tn
kind OF railroad the people oil
the state want il 10 be in their owr
best interest"
The total expenditure for main
tenance OF way and structures which
is planned. will amount TO $4,000.
600. Including improvements Incl
dental to maintenance the total ex
ceeds s3,0o0.o00. The program In
cludes so miles OF new ballast al
a cost of $4,000 There will BE-
placed 775.00O new ties at q cosl
of about s6l5.co0 More OF the 81
pound rail will be laid this year tc
complete as far as possible the mair
line sections with this heavy rail
A total OF about 90 miles OF 20
pound rail will be- laid this year and
80 miles OF S5-poand rail. The total
expenditures for this improvement
will be s750.000. Renewals and
maintenance OF tracks which VIII
include the transfer of some SIS AM
7o-pound rail. supplanted by the 80
pound rail. 10 other parts OF ths
system. will cost s50o.00C. Fol-
bridges 100000 will be spent. and
an equal amount vii, be expended
on buildings. The item of tools
runs TO a total OF $4,000. Fences
and crossings will require an ex
penditure OF s55,0o0. The maintc
nance of me signal system and in
terlocking devices will amount Ia
s30. and extensions to be mad
will cost :113 900.
More than $1,000, 900 will be spent
on the rolling stock OF the railroad
This will include repairs to cars
and loo motives. A. many engines
as possible will be equipped with
superheaters which adds greatly to
their tractiye power. and an add
tional number OF freight cars fitted
up with steel center beams and
economy draft arms by means oil
which the stability OF the cars Is ma
terially increased. The program
does not by long way include
everything which the various de
partments OF the organization con
sidered desirable, hut II goes as fa'
as the resources Of the road viii
permit, II Is stated. and was adopt
ed after careful study of the situa
tion in the light OF financial condi
tion OF the road. the idea being u