New-York tribune., 1917-12-11
Continued from page |

not broken down. On the contrary. II
has in recent months handled 90 per
cent more business than IN 1919 WIN
out material enlargement Of plant.
Some misconception seems 70 exist
as 10 the immediate requirements OK
the railroads in their present situs-
ton. Their chief operating troubles
are volume of traffic greater than the
capacity of the plants in certain linn
ted territories. aggravated By eN,
cossivc use Of preference orders, and
their now serious malady Of 'dilu..on
Of labor. which Is general Throughout
the country and common 70 all indus
try. Nevertheless, the railroads. un-
der present management. arc prepared
10 furnish all the transportation
which the existing plant can produce
rndcr anv form Of management.
What Roads DO Not Ash
What the railroads do not ask:
81 They do not ask Sl,000000.-
900 from the government or anybody
else at the moment. They could nos
Immediately invest il in plant and
equipment if they had 1t, because ot
the difficulty in getting materials and
labor. That represents, IN round
dgures. what ought TO be spent
every year for several years 10 bring
the American railroad plant up TO ca
pacitv TO handle efficiently the growing
traffic. About $6O0,OOO,OO0 per annum
on the average has been spent for
number of years for road and equip
ment which. at present prices, would
4 s..1 .yns n =
for road and equipment.
"2. They do not at this time ask for
reueal of the antitrust and antI-pool-
ipg laws. as relating TO them, for they
do not consider such reliet immediate
~ necessary TO increase united opera
tlors ..,.
"The cooperative use of facilities
viii be continued IN such way as 70
obtain maximum efficiency.
"The presen: system Of voluntary
unitcation is adequate for this. No
interest has declined. or will decline,
for selfish OF other reasons, TO respond
20 the requirement of the present CO.
operative organization.
What They Do Ash
"What the railroads do ASS:
IS. The immediate appointment Of
a traAic officer 10 represent all i'm
portant government departments IN
TRANSFORMATION matters, with whom the
railroads can deal, TO secure active
government cooperation, the prompt
and orderly transportation Of the gov
eminent traffic and 10 avoid the eNces-
s!ye use Of preference orders, which
will congest traffic instead OF facill-
tating il.
~. Most of the railroads need more
locomotives Immediately and enough
new cars TO replace those worn out.
There are approximately $500 locomo-
tires and $4,000 cars still on order un-
delivered for American railroads. The
railroads expect 70 provide the capital.
Priority orders are essential Tor
prompt delivery cf such equipment.
20. Approximately 1000 locomotives
and $50. 700 cars. in addition 10 those
now on order. are necessary for early
construction 10 meet the requirements
of next year, and at present prices
represent cost of approximate ly
$500 OOO 600. While a number of the
railroads are able 10 purchase their
quotas OF such equipment without AID,
u is apparent that because the United
States has necessarily occupied the IN
NcStmcnt mdrhel lot NdE loSHN' a = -
denccd by the recent request OF the
Secretary Of the Treasury that no new
private financing shall be undertaken
without conferences with him, the
railroads generally cannot next year
provide through their usual channels
for the capital requirements for the
acquisition Of equipment and other
poSsible additions 10 plant
They invoke. therefore, the co
operation and aid Of the government
through the Treasury Department and
sthc Federal Reserve Board TO secure
for them. en- ;heir own individual!
credit. the new capital found b. the
government 10 be necessary not only
for enlargement OF plant. but for re-
ncwing maturing obligations.
Want Increased Rates
"6. Immediate increases in rates a.