The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1917-06-19
Plans Launched To Purchase
$15O,OOO,OOO Rolling Stock.
100000 Cars Will Be Used in
Moving Govt Supplies.
MONSTER FLYING SQUADRON
Roads Struggling for Remedy
Transportation Problem.
1O4,917 Cars, 2,2O9 Engines Are
Now Under Order.

Plans. it is announced, are being IA
vorably considered by the United
States government for the purchase
of 10000 freight cars, costing $780,,
100000, for the American railroads.
A number of executive of icials of car
building companies have been in con-
ference in Washington with govern
ment officials for several days. The
proposal to purchase equipment con-
templates the construction of compos-
lite box and gondola cars. They would
cost about $1,000 each.
He rolling stock, Immediately upon
completion, would be placed upon
American railroads in an effort to al
leviate the transportation problem
which figures show, is growing more
serious every day. The government,
II is reported. would lend some of the
cars to the roads to move government
supplies, and would use some of them
TO go into business for itelf as a pri-
waite car line. Under both policies the
cars would serve to the same common
end and would expedite the handling
Of government supplies.
Would Buy Private Lines.
Government purchase and operation
of the asst freight lines now operated
by private car lines is being advocated
by Friedrich c. Howe, commissioner OF
immigration of the port of New York.
Mr.. Howe quotes from the recent re-
ports of the interstate commerce COM
mission in an effort to show that the
transportation system of the country
is breaking down under the strain. He
declares all efforts to mobilize the ma
TONS resources into one common unit
will be for naught if the railroad prob
lem is not taken care of Immediately.
He asserts that the thousands of
freight cars now owned by private
companies should be purchased and
operated as a Flying squadron" in or
der to demonstrate what can be done
in the proper handling of freight.
Units of this flying squadron
could be distributed where it would
be most needed" Mr.. Howe asserts.
'Perishable commodities would be
saved Our people would be fed. Food
shortage would be prevented. Fuel
could be placed where it is needed.
Cars could be run full both ways:
Rates could be adjusted on basis of
service performed rather than to the
arbitrary classification now prevail
ing"
Car Shortage Breaks Record.
The car deficiency today on Amer
lean railroads is estimated at 10000
cars. Not since 1907 has there been
a condition that can be compared with
the present one. In February of that
year the shortage totaled 1877, SAT cars
The situations seriousness is suffi-
GENTLY great, not so much because of
what 1t is hamperlng now, but be-
cause of what is still to come. Freight
cars are always more in demand from
August to January than at any other
time. and, with 6 per cent of the roll
ing stock of the country tied up now,
the 1ightest shipping period of the
year, 1t is hard to forecast what will
happen when the government sudden
ly calls for Thousand DIS of cars and
crops are ready to be moved To
make things still worse. both these
things are scheduled TO happen about
the same time.
Roads Struggle for Remedy.
The railroads, despite their many
difficulties, have done a great deal in
the last eighteen months to try to add
to their cars and engines. There have
been placed in service since Novem Der
1, 1915, $50 engines and 44,053 cars.
American roads have now under order
2,209 engines and 1919 cars. Exec
utive officials hope to receive the roll
ing stock being built before January
1. If their hopes are realized there
will have been placed on American
roads during the period from Novem-
Der 1, 1916, to January l, 1918, about
14S.98O cars with an average capacity
of fifty tons, and 3,1SS engines with
an average tractive power of $4,000
pounds.
1t cannot be figured, however, that
this new rolling stock being obtained
by the roads will alleviate to any ex-