The Wolf Point herald. (Wolf Point, Mont.) 1913-1940, 1920-06-03
NO COAL SHORTAGE
FOR MONTANA
GREAT NORTHERN PRESIDENT
SAYS CAR SHORTAGE WILL
NOT AFFECT US
Ralph Budd Believes Roads Can
Maintain Supply From Mines of
State Next Winter but Advises that
Bins be Filled as Early as Pos
sible, Nevertheless.

The coal famine anticipated in the
east because of the shortage of box
cars will not extend to Montana, in
the opinion of Ralph Budd, president
of the Great Northern railway. With
the supply of ears as now apparent
and with local mines operating
throughout the state, the railroads
will be able to transport coal in suf-
ficient quantities to meet the de-
mand. This is not a situation that
will be duplicated in a great many
of the eastern states, President Budd
stated. With Vice President C. o.
jerks, General Manager J. H. O'Neill
and Purchasing Agent f. A. Bush
nell he was in Montana last week.
''There is no reason to fear a coal
famine in Montana" said President
Budd, 'for the roads will be able to
supply the local demand from the
mines of the state regardless of the
car shortage in the east"
Fill Bins Early
81 would not want to advise any
one to leave the coal bin empty until
winter, but 1 think that coal will be
delivered to Montana points through
Jul tAG veal huCU dS USUAL. w u are
doing a big business in Montana, but
the car shortage is not local to the
state except as it is reflected from
the eastern situation.
"Unquestionably the greatest prob
lem before the operating department
of all railroads this year is the one
growing out of lack of equipment
and my opinion is that until needs
in this connection are filled new con-
struction and extensions will occupy
a position of secondary Importance.
All roads are centering their ener-
gies on the important business of
speeding up freight shipments, for in
this way the a shortage can be best
overcome. By fastening freight de-
liveries we intend to overcome many
of the difficulties resulting from the
inadequate supply of cars.
is Per Cent Short
"The Great Northern's car supply
is Is per cent short, but we have
maintained our hauling standard at
near normal by increasing the speed
of freight shipments. Western oper-
ating officials are doing a great work
along this line and I may say that
on the Butte division an especially
fine record has been made. General
superintendent w. r. Smith is large
ly responsible for the showing and
he is entitled to the credit"
President Budd was asked whether
his road would be able to meet the
demand for cars in Montana during
grain shipping season next fall.
"I would not venture to make a
positive statement in that regard"
he replied, "but if we are short of
grain cars in Montana it will be be-
cause of the situation in the east. If
hey get the cars to us at the Twin
City transfer we will get them to
Montana. Certainly we will put
enough speed on loads to reduce to
he lowest possible point the time
which cars are in transit, and I do
lot expect any serious shortage"
Good Crop Indications
President Budd was greatly inter
in Montana crop conditions
Ind is gathering important data on
lis trip. He said that he had re-
,eived nothing but optimistic reports
entering the state. Winter
wheat is showing to splendid advan-
age, he said, and a big acreage of
.pring grain will be sown. He is of
he opinion that the total acreage
would be only a little below normal.