The public ledger. [volume] (Maysville, Ky.) 1913-1968, 1917-06-05

cars were reported, as compared with
537, 647 in December, 1915, decrease
Of approximately $4,000 cars, or two
and one-half million tons.
The figures for January, 1917, show
a slight increase, about 100000 tons,
as compared with January Of the pre-
vious year.
In February Of this year 541,216
cars are reported, as against 597 ,434
In February last year, decrease of
over $4,000 cars, or approximately
two and three-quarter million tons.
A recapitulation of these figures
shows that over seven million tons
less were shipped during the six
months ending March than during
the corresponding period last year.
In the letter accompanying the first
of these reports, Mr.. George Otis
Smith, director of the Geological Sur
vey, had this to say:
in sending out this, the first
monthly statement issued by the Geo
logical Survey, relative to coal pro-
duction in the United States, l be-
lieve that the Survey is furnishing
the railroads and the coal industry, as
we'll as the general public, informa-
ton that is timely and valuable. 1t is
we'll recognized that the rate of pro-
duction of coal, like that of pig iron,
is an important index Of general in
dustry conditions, the trend which is
being keenly watched today by all
men of affairs. The statements are
intended to furnish a basis for COM
parison Of the Quotations in coal ship
ments from month to MONTH"
We are ready to agree with Mr.
Smith that under normal traffic con-
ditions, the rate of production Of coal
could be taken "as index to general
industrial conditions" but in the pres
ent circumstances, with the demand
and consumption at a higher ebb than
ever before, the figures compiled by
his Department, covering the period
have referred to, must be taken rath.
er as an Index" to the deplorable
transportation conditions throughout
the country.
Further in connection with this sub
ject, the report compiled by the
American Railway Association, made
public on March 22nd, gives some ex-
ceedingly interesting information of q
retrospective character; this report
shows that the net shortage of freight
cars on March LIST was 124,973 as com.
pared with a shortage of 109,9SS on
February LIST, an increase of $4,000
| cars, and ADDS.
For the whole period of nearly
eight years preceding the middle Of
August Of last year, there had been @
continuous net Of surplusage of cars
not in use on American railroads, ex
cept for about one month in 1909
three months in 1912, one month il
1913, and the month of March las
year. In 1908 there was at one tim,
a surplusage of over 413,000 cars, ant
no time during the year were Their,
less than 100000 idle cars. From No
vember. 1918, until March, 1913. I'M
til March, 1916, there was a continu
GUS surplusage of cars. the numbe
running In October, 1914, to over 200,
900, when the figures became so larg
that the American Railway Associa
ton stopped compiling them. Com
pilation was resumed on February
1915, when idle cars still numbere,
over 279,Ooo."
The Daily Press of the 22nd inst
carried the following dispatch, date,
New York, April 21st:
"The largest freight car shortag
ever reported by American railroad
existed April LIST, it was announces
here today by the American Railwa
Association. The shortage on tina
date was 143,O5s cars, an increase O
1897 cars az compared with Marc
1st."
My friends, II you have entertaine
any doubt as to the actual existenc
OF car shortage of unprecedente
proportions, the delusion is liable I
prove a costly one If persisted in.
If we are ready to admit that Their
is a frightfully inadequate car sup
ply, the question then is: What ha
brought about this condition? VIVA
is to be its effect in relation to tn
coal industry, and In particular to tn
retail branch of the business; an
what course lies open in the way Of
remedy =?
The impetus felt In all lines Of In
dustry during the better part of tn
past years. and to which the great wa
has been the principal contributin
factor, is Of course well fixed in you
minds.
The railroads as late as the fore
part of 1916 were in a receptive cor
dition for handling an increased bus
. ness, and none of us experienced an
Inconvenience up to the latter part {
| V.sIx Ia,A l..A II.