The evening herald. [volume] (Albuquerque, New Mexico) 1914-1922, 1917-09-20
EFFICIENCY OF U. S.
RAILROADS IS BEING
TAXED TO THE LIMIT
Moving a Million Soldiers and
Their Equipment and Supplies
to the Various Camps a Problem
for transportation Lines.

Special correspondence 10 The HERALD.
Amarillo, TeAas. Sept. 20.-"Thc
efficiency OF the American railroads
Il being severely tested at the present
time" said 4. J. Parker. general man
agcr OF western lines OF the Santa Fc
Railway system. today. In discussing
the transportation situation and the
problem Of moving "a million soldiers
and their equipment and supplies to
the various training camps.
And efficiency" Mr.. Parker con-
tinucd. depends very largely ON the
condition OF track and equipment The
up-keep OF track. locomotives, and
rolling stock generally is therefore a
first consideration and Is an impor-
tant Rem in the expense 20 OF
railroads every year. Worn steel and
ties must be promptly replaced and
bridges. culverts. aud roadbed kept
In good repair, This requires con-
slant attention by an army Of men.
distributed along the entire line. An
other army OF men keep Hos watch
Of locomotives, and other rolling stick
and extensive and well equipped shops
are maintained for the repair and
o~vcrhauiinE Of all equipment. In
short Il takes eternal vigilance night
and day TO keep track and equipment
In condition for safe and speedy
movement 81 traffic.
The cost OF this runs into large
figures every year. ON the 1853 miles
OF western lines OF the Santa Fe the
maintenance OF way and structures
for the fiscal year ending June 80,
1917, cost sf.7s0.O f9.f3 or abou,
si23S a mile. The maintenance OF
equipment cost f7,i47.6l7.63 OF
around tiS47 n mile; a total cost per
mile Of line Of over $4,000 for these
two Items alone. This il nearly ons
half OF the entire cost OF moving traf.
fe for the year. including western
lines proportion OF system expense.
And the cost OF maintenance Is
increasing seriously and apparently
the end is not yet, The increase is
due to two factors: the heavy govern.
men; business moving troops n sup
plies and the constantly rising price.
OF everything needed in railway opcr-
alton from material and supplies e
labor.
The dcnser the traffic, the shorter
the life of track and equipment re-
quiring more frequent renewal OF
steel and ties and replacing ties Is 8
bis item In up-keep OF track. Loco.
motives 20 sooner to the shops fol
complete ovcrhauling. All this is nov
being done at a higher cost. Yet thii
Increase In cost IL not offset by {
corresponding increase In revenue
And government business is ever
handled at reduced rates.
"Stili the Santa Re continues il
policy Of giving efficient servic'
through careful maintenance Of tract
aud equipment, cost what II may. Tn
s@Bta ~ Looks to the future ANA TN
upbuilding OF the territory IL serves
The Santa Re Is an integral part o
the industrial and business life o
every community along Its lines an
%endeavors therefore to perform II
duties efficiently by moving the traf
fic Of the community promptly AM
safely. And good track and equip
ment are the keys to efficiency II
railway service.
The Santa re. being part and par
eel Of the communities II serves, ap
preciates more shan ever the cooper
alton Of the people in every way. Tn
der the present abnormal and ofte
trying traffic conditions. efficiency
all important In moving the heay
government business without incon
vonience to the public