The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1917-10-02
Railroad Future There, but Out
look Bright, Says w. J. Black.
Business as Good as Usual Is
Ills 1918 Prophecy.
LIBERTY LOAN TO 60 STRONG
All Industries Thriving; Pas
senger Car Supply Adequate.
Ii Roads Get a Fair Shake,
Then ALPS Well, He Asserts.

Every week the freight traffic Of
ficiaIs of the Santa Fe railway make
a detailed report TO Chicago head
quarters as to business conditions IN
their respective districts. Similar re-
ports are made, from time TO time,
regarding passenger traffic. As eX-
pressed. in terms of freight tonnage
and messengers carried on trains, trade
md manufacturing and farming are
normal turnout the southwest, accprQ-
ing to a statement BY w j. blacA'
passenger traffic manager OF the coiii
industries affected by the war, and
especially the farmers, are prospeElnB
to a marked degree" MI Back salu-
Wheat is not moving as Ifeeiy as
uaI and cotton is being held Dach'
probably in hope Of better prices OUT
the wheat and cotton are there anu
will go to market in due time Ihe
largest crop of citrus fruit ever raised
in the Salt river Of Arizona anu d
from California than in 1915, are
items of encouragement. In spots
crops have been below normal ouI
the average is good-this includes IN
beets. cotton and the like. The OIL
wells continue to make heavy snip
ments and lumber loading IS ABOUT
the same as a year ago Inc souln
west farmer is independent MOST Oh
them can have an auto for every mem
her of rhe family. if they wish When
the farmers and stock growers prosper
the merchants in town prosper also
Hold Up Extensions
The Santa Fe is completing several
branch lines in rallroadless sect'Ull9'
These extensions were decided On pc
fore war was declared Other eAteli
siDns equally necessa -, must wait
11riI steel rails and labor are aNall-
able on better terms Just now, DOM
practically have been Communicated
b. the government 49,
The future is in the lap OF the
gods: but I can see no reason for
Dessimis1n, if-and it is big II =
Inc railroads get a fair show. All OF
them are trying TO do their biz. anu
more. They are practiclng economies Ii
and team work to the top notch- buI
thev must have enough money 70 Work
with. 20 build with, and to operate
with. Fair laws, fair rates a1d talr
treatment will turn the trick :.
UNLESS the unexpected happens, 1t
is a safe guess that the leading trans
continental lines viii nave All t s
business they comfortably can care Tor
in the coming year. after providing Tor
the governments needs An increased
acreage of wheat is now being seeded
More cattle than last year Will De
wintered on the wide ranges Cotton
exports from gulf ports to Europe Will
keep up for a long time
Mining Industry Thriving.
The mining industry and lumber
ing should continue to thrive Cali
fornia and Arizona will have more
than their full quota of winter pill
srrins. There viii be cars enough,
and trains enough, to take care of
thru passengers, and still haul the SOL
der boys. The resort hotels in Cali
foruia are making additions to their
plants and are preparing for big
tourist business. Those persons who
are Obliged to stay at home because of
our rumpus with Kaiser Bill are more
than offset by those who will make
frequent trips to soldiers training
camps. Local travel has not slowed
down at all. Freight tonnage may
fall off in enc commodity, only to be
more than offset by increased hauls
of other lines.
Business as good as usual, is my
prophecy for 1918, for the southwest,
If there are no serious troubles with
labor
Liberty bonds will find a ready
market in the territory served by our
lines"