The Daily Ardmoreite. [volume] (Ardmore, Okla.) 1893-current, 1919-02-06
MILLIONS SAVED
IN SOUTHWESTERN
RAIL OPERATE IONS
REGIONAL REPORT SHOWS
BENEFITS OF UNIFICA-
TION OF TERMINALS
LABOR SHORTAGE ACUTE
Total of 2SO,2e2 Tank Cars of Oil
Loaded in Mid-Continent Field,
an Increase of "a Per Cent-Cot-
ton Shippers Experienced Little
Or no Delay, Report Says.

Or no Delay, Report Says.
Washington, Feb. s. Millions Of
dollars were saved in operating eN-
penses of the railroads in the south
western region in the year just end
ed by uniiication OF terminals. con-
solidation OF repirtacilities, sys~
tenn OF interchange switching, and
elimination OF unnecessary passen,
ger and freight train mileage, ac-
. cording to the annual report today
of B. F. Bush, Southwestern direc-
tor for the United States Railroad
Administration.
One hundred and sixty-eight ter
minals, including shops, train yards
and stations were unified, resulting
in better service and an annual say
ig OF approximately 81, ,434,O0O.
The report states there is still un-
der consideration a number OF 9TH
er unifications which will be made
il investigation develops the results
to be obtained justify such action.
The consolidation OF engine
house and car repair facilities out
side of large terminal points by a
general pooling arrangement was
attained at "a points with greater
efficiency of service. Under federal
control, terminal car inspection at
points OF interchange, was divided
into zones, with inspectors assigned
to each zone under the general STU
pervision of chief inspectors. IN
der this plan fewer men were en-
ployed in this work and a saving OF
approximately $4,000 a year al
fected.
Ioint industry and interchange
switching, by establishing of zones
and reciprocal arrangements among
railroads, was attained at AZ points,
Heretofore 100 railroads switched
the same industries, while under
the present plan the switching is
done by a railroads, at a saving OF
approximately S22S,00O per annum,
The Southwestern region with its
many cantonmentS and camps was
called upon to meet unusual pas
senger train conditions. Competi-
tive passenger trains were eliminat-
ed in some instances and consoh-
dated in others. Schedules of
through trains were heightened and
local work added in order to elimi-
nate local trains.
Passenger Service
Under this arrangement, the re-
port states, a total OF AL ,244 miles
was conserved in passenger train
service. Fiity-seven locomotives
and 203 passenger cars were con-
served by the operation OF the sys-
TEN. The report states that 239,-
600 tons of coal and 26S0OO0 gal
Ions of oil were saved in fuel. The
saving in these curtailments in pas
senger service aggregated S5,o6l,-
333.
In the handling OF freight great
savings were effected by elimina-
lion OF unnecessary freight mile
age. This resulted largely from
the discontinuance OF competition
among the roads which permitted
carload traffic to be moved over
the most direct routes.
In the passenger and freight de
partments S2,60O,O00 was saved by
the closing OF competitive offices
and reductions in the clerical force.
The abolshing OF advertising time
tables brought a saving of $5OO,OO0.
There was an acute shortage OF
labor due to the war and the in
fluenza epidemic seriously inter
ferred with the operation OF the
roads in October, November and
December. On October 81, $4,000
employees, or ten and a half per
cent OF the entire organization was
absent from duty on account of i'll
ness.
Large Oil Shipments
The report shows that 2S0292
tank cars OF oil were loaded from
the Mid-Continent Field during II
months ended November 80, 1918,
an increase over last year OF 55,470
cars, or "a per cent. Eighty per
cent originated on lines in this re-
gion and generally was handled in
train lots through to destination.
Empty tanks returning to oil fields
were concentrated at large termi-
nails and moved in train lots.
Average miles per tank car per
day increased from POLO ! Janu-
ary to 5S,4 III November, 1918, re-
sulting in tank-car supply being
increased 100 per cent
Oil interests have estimated that
reiineres in Mid-Continent Field
saved approximately $4,000 per
month, attributable to the spneldid
transportation service.
Cotton Movements
M Cotton movement from com
presses was substantially less than
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