The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1916-11-13
ROADS BIC SAVING.
Rock Island Adds to Revenue
Thru Economy.
Annual Report Shows Net In
come of 3 Millions.
NEARLY LOST GOLDEN STATE
Original Recommendation tO
Abandon Crack Train.
More Than , Millions for Addi-
lions and Betterments.

AItho the operating expenses OF tile
Cntcaeo. Rock Island q Pacl1lc TOT the
fiscal year ending June 80. l9Io' W.
81 G22.0 900 more than they were IN
1915. the net income OF tne r4 li, go -
a system of efficiency which mas oeen
introduced. was $2,957.2Sl, IN I5Io'
whereas, in 1915. a deficit OF 81 34,of -
was reported. The figures are from d
report on the condition OF the ROAD
which was furnished 70 the receiver
ct the end of the fiscal year
The increase ir operating expenses
was due largely to the fact that $l,-
049, 900 more was spent on the nnalhte
nance of way in 1916 than in 1913, ana
$4,000 more in the maintenance OF
equipment.
in fuel for locomotives. the loss thru
damage to freight in handling, and
the elimination Of Improbable pass
enger trains from the schedule.
The fuel saving was the largest
single item reported. More than $780,
900 was saved in the fuel cost, thru
the organization of fuel department,
under the supervision of a superin-
tendent of mining and fuel
Thru attention given to better equip
ment, better track better freight
house operation, loading and organ
ization, the loss thru damage 10 freight
in handling was reduced from that OF
1915, by s2S2.0OO. or 242S ger cent
a
ton was appointed, and a new system
of trucks ADOPTED. Regular meetings
known is Claim Prevention Meet
ings," have been held al which the
agents and freight handlers discussed
methods of reducing the dana &c to
the freight passing thru their hands
Close Call for Golden state.
Incidentally, the cost of handling
freight in less than car lots was re-
duced from 37.99 cents per ton in 1915,
to 1853 cents per ton in 1916,
The Golden state Limited. train No.
4, narrowly escaped being removed
from the schedule with the other un-
profitable trains. It was decided.
however. that the train paid more
than the actual operating expenses,
tho not its full share of the overhead,
and the Golden state was saved.
The total passenger train mileage
was reduced 100000 miles in 1915,
thru cutting out the Improbable pas
senger trains. The passenger mile
age, however, was only a fraction of
1 per cent less than in 1915.
The state commissions prevented the
abandonment of some trains which
we're obviously being operated at
loss. and in other cases the pressure
Of public opinion prevented the carry
ing out of the program of curtailment.
y total of S2,6SO 600 was spent for
additions and bettermeuts to the road,
during the year, entailing in many
cases increased expenditures for the
maintenance of way.
A direct saving of about 5000
year was made in salaries and ex-
penses. thru combining two of the dis
tricts in which the road had been OPP
Grated into one, under a single general
manager.
Bouquet for = 9lOyes-
The concluding paragraph of the
report of the receiver indicates the
efficiency and loyalty of the employees
of the road, generally. The report
says: so far from a receivership
making them lax and perfunctory in
the discharge Of their duties. 1t has
stimulated them to greater zeal. A
sense of trusteeship has made them
cooperate toward reha bilitating the
properties and restoring their ma na &c
ment to their owners. In going over
-he properties and coming in contact
with the pa irons, chambers of com
merce and public officials the receiver
has found a manifestation of deep
interest and friendship for the Rock
island lines and a friendly disposition
for and confidence in It's local repre-
sentatives. While the gratifying show
ing made during the fiscal year was
mainly attributable TO the general
prosperity and increase If the bus
mess of the country. it is manifest that
it required constant vigilance, loyalty.
activity and satisfactory service to Sc
cure proper participa ton ir that in
crease, and very high efficiency in all
departments to realize therefrom the
net results obtained