Omaha daily bee. (Omaha [Neb.]) 187?-1922, 1918-10-22
RAILWAYS MAKE
RECORD UNDER
U. S. CONTROL
Increase Traffic Moved With
Smaller Number of Cars
Than Last Year; Make
Financial Saving.

Hale Holden, regional director OF
the lines of railroad operating II, the
central zone, has compiled his re-
port for September Of this year and
| has submitted the same to W. u.
McAdoo, director general. This re-
port goes into detail as to the busl-
ness of the several railroads during
the month and indicates that trafhc
was better than normal and entirely
satisfactory.
The Sailing day" plan, adopted
fors the purpose Of expediting the
movement Of freight and at the same
time conserving equipment, was re-
ported a success. Mr.. Holden as
serts that there has been saving
of 3.429 freight cars per week within
the limits of the central zone. At
the same time there has been an in
creased loading in the regions
where coal, live stock and grain is
produced. The increase in the live
stock loading is about 10 per cent.
The total freight cars loaded dur
ing September were 164,342, as COM
pared with 1920 for September Of
last year, an increase of 22,O43,
equivalent to a gain of l5.5 per cent.
OF the total number. this year 33,65S
cars were loaded with grain, as
as against 27,4O2 during the same
month of last year.
Up to the middle OF September
there was a heavy movement Of
grain and had there been an avail
able outlet the probabilities are that
it would have been a record month.
As it was, about the middle of the
month the elevator capacity of the
country was exhausted and conse-
quently the movement of grain
ceased until expectations and the
demasas of Abe millers reduced the
surplus in storage.
Mr.. Holden finds that the car sup
ply is about adequate to meet the
requirements, WITH the exception of
double-deckers for the special load
ing of some kinds of live stock. The
shortage in this class of equipment
has proved no handicap as stock has
been moved as rapidly as the stock
yards companies could handle it. In
some instances the railroads have
been forced TO hold back stock ship
ments because the yard Companies
could not handle them.
The South Omaha stock yards are
credited with having made a good
showing, during September. Dur
ing the month there were 14,040 ins
bound cars of live stock, an increase
of $500. or 1873 per cent. The out
bound business aggregated 7,243
cars, an increase of 1,243, or 20 per
cent.
Oil traffic was an important item
with the roads in the central zone.
During the month the roads han
died SIC oil trains, with 14,3lo cars.
In September of this year he, SIS
carloads of coal were handled, COM
pared with l46,302 during the CORE
spending month a year ago. The
increase was Is per cent.
According to Mr.. Holden coal has
been going forward at such a rapid
rate that the fuel administration has
been pressed to provide markets for
the shipments. Railroad officials
and the fuel administration have CO.
operated and worked in such perfect
harmony that it is believed the fuel
situation is we'll in hand.
Mr.. Holden is of the opinion that
the labor situation is improving and
the increase in the number Of en-
ployees in the mechanical depart
inents OF the roads is encouraging.
During September of this year the
roads OF the central zone. in the
car and locomotive department
were giving employment to SS,94O.
as against 1921 during the CORES
ponding month of last year.
Generally the physical condition
or the roads is good, better than
during the corresponding month of
year ago, when all of the lines are
taken into consideration. The tie
situation is about the only thing
that is unsatisfactory. There is a
shortage of several millions, but the
matter has been called to the atten-
ion OF the central purchasing COM
mittee and immediate relief is anti
cipated.
By giving special attention to
routing, during the month 1924
car miles were eliminated.
The passenger traffic of the roads
OF the central zone, shows an enorz
nous saving by the consolidation of
offices. He points out that up to
September |, this year 81 consoli-
dated ticket offices had been opened
in the central, zone and that it is
estimated that these consultations
will result in an annual saving of
,S37S,O59.lS in rent and $l889lo.37
in salaries and other expenses.
During the month, in the move
ment of troops, the roads moved 70
special trains, carrying 1876 men.
IAlluains were operated on schedule
and without accident.
Mr.. Holden points with pride to
the result OF the recent Liberty
loan campaign, saying that UP to
the time of handing his report to
Mr.. McAdoo, October IA. IS per
cent of the railroad employees of the
central zone had subscribed to $18.-
370340 of the bonds. This was