The Birmingham age-herald., 1917-06-09
UNBEATABLE STEEL RAILS
By HOLLAND

bg hl
 New York, June s.-(special) )-Dr. Plimmon H. Dudley, 43 years ago in- vented the dynagraph apparatus for the purpose of testing rails. A little later he invented the track indicator, and in 1883 designed the first 5-inch steel rail used in the United States, and nine years later he introduced the first six-inch 100- pound rail. Now, 43 years after his first invention was used successfully, it is be- lieved by railroad operators that he has absolutely perfected a formula for man. ufacturing the steel rail so that there is elimination of the danger of breakage.
 pr. Dudley returned this morning from a trip of inspection to various steel plants, having gone as far west as Gary and Chicago, and having spent also some time in Pittsburg. His investigations satisfy him that only one thing is lack ing to enable the steel plants and the rail making plants of the United States to furnish all of the equipments of this kind which the railroads may need with in the next year or two That lacking factor is the incapacity of the steel or the steel rail-making plants of the United States to produce more than they are now producing.
 For instance, were the steel plants able to deliver at Gary, Ind, SO,0O0 tons of steel a month the delivery would be sub stantially useless because the steel-rail making plant at Gary now has orders upon it's books which will entail it's en- tire capacity for production throughout ha uoar Tho ctaol ,,oi11e dri1to,, they are, would in fact oe unable to fur nisE so much steel as this nor could government supervision or interference be of any avail in enabling them to in- crease their product or to divert some portion of it, so that 1t could be used in the manufacture of steel rails.
 Yet 1t is imperative that the railroads of the United States be thoroughly equipped with rails and with other appar- atus which reflects the best results of the inventors efforts. if the transporta- creased demands for transportation after we have entered fully upon the war, are to be met.
 pr. Dudley said this morning that the public has little or no comprehension of the demands which will be made for railroad transportation in the United States from this time on until the war is ended In fact, that demand will not cease with the end of the war, since the American railroads will be driven to their capacity in transporting commodities which will be needed by the allies in re- building their devastated industries and their railroads.
 AMERICAN RAILWAY MEN
 Dr. Dudley spoke in the highest terms of the organiza ton of what he called the American railroad constructing brigade. which is to be sent to France at the earliest moment possible for the purpose of reccnstructing French railroad sys- tens. Some of the Ines in France are greatly run down and this condition i'm pedes effective military service. This American railroad constructing brigade in Dr. Dudley's opinion, would be able within six months thoroughly to perfect French railroad systems, if only they were sure of obtaining supplies as fast as they are needed. It may take, there pertinent of labor officials to show .that this type can be built more cheaply and more quickly than the Ferris model adopted by General Goethals
 The Ferris model was conceived by Theodore E. Ferris, marine architect now employed by the fleet corporation The Hough model was produced on the Pacific coast. The engineers quoted from letter by MT. Ferris approving a modified plan of the Hough type.
 One of the department of labor letters was from Louis F. Post. assistant secre- tary of the department. It said the cost plus percentage contract undoubtedly would work better from the standpoint of getting labor.
 CLARK'S STATEMENT
 MT. Clark's reply to General Goethals dismissal said:
 There are two charges. one of dis