The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1917-09-19
Union Pacific Faces Problem OF
Handling 10000.
This Number of Men To Be
Handled i'm 4 Days.
may CUT LOCAL SERVICE
Operate Forty Special Trains to
Camp Funston:
Foreign Line Equipment Will
Be in Big Use.

The Union Pacific system today in
Kansas faced the greatest task that
any railway company has ever been
called upon to perform in this state.
In the next four days, including to-
day, the road will move nearly 10000
men into Camp Funston.
Transportation problems that never
before were thrown upon a Kansas
railroad must be solved. In the period
specified the railway company Will
move forty special trains into the can
Torment and give them the right OF
way over all other traffic. Practical
ly every regular passenger train rum
ming into the army post will carry spe-
cial equipment.
Forced curtailment of regular pas
senger schedules may be the result.
1t is common talk among tra1nmen,
army officers and officials of the road
that a number of passenger trains,
especially locals, may have to be dis
continued until the troops are in camp
I Passenger officials here today, how
| ever, denied that they have received
| orders to discontinue any regular
| trains for the period.
Were it not for the foreign line
equipment. being used in the transfer
of the men practically every regular
| train on the line would probably have
| to be discontinued in order to meet
the government demand. The major
| ity of the special trains come from
foreign lines and are run thru to
Fort Riley after being taken over by
i the Union Pacific Hundreds of roll
ing stock units from foreign lines are
already on the Union Pacific tracks.
doing troop transportation duty and
a part of them are being held at
Funston for emergency.
Greatest Rush This Week.
1t is pointed out by officials that
the greatest congestion on the road
will be reached the latter two days OF
this week when the majority of the
| troop trains will begin . arriving AT
at close intervals. The lines coming
into Fort Riley from both the east
and west will carry an almost con-
tinuous stream of trains. Many ex-
ira sections will have to be added to
regular thru trains.
By Saturday night it is estimated
that 80 per cent of the passenger
rolling stock on Union Pacific lines
near Camp Funston will be foreign
line equipment. The situation will be
relieved by Tuesday and the Unior
Pacific will be in the best shape in
sofar as passenger equipment in Kan
sas is concerned than it has been il
the last six weeks.
Officials here today stated that the
tranSp ortation- of the troops started
out smoothly. Cooperation with the
army officials is expected to make il
possible for the road to handle the
movement with the minimum fric
ton, considering the enormous size o.
the task.
Motive Power Problem.
Passenger schedules are not tn,
only one threatened by the trooI
| movement. The added sections t.
regular trains and specials will de
mand great many more locomotive.
and that must either come from for
eign lines or taken from freight trains
But the troops will move as planned
officials of the road promise, regard
less of the consequence to the road
regular business. Uncle Sans men ar,
going into Funston with right of wa,
over all trains, freight or passenger
If curtailment of local schedules i
necessary to get them there on time
the slicing will probably be made.