The circle banner., 1920-06-04
NO COAL SHORTAGE
SEEN 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 anticipatedtin 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 cars 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 ]. 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
Il 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
out the year much as usual. We are
doing 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
n thic Pnnnaptinn
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 car 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
our hauling standard at
near normal by increasing the speed |
Of freight shipments. Western oper-
ating officials are doing great work |
along this line and 1 may say that |
on the Butte division an especially |
fine record has been made. General |
superintendent w. r. Smith is large
y responsible for the showing and |
ne is entitled to the credit
President Budd was asked whether
lis road would be able to meet the 4
lemand for cars in Montana during
he grain shipping season next fall. Il
Il would not venture to make a
positive statement in that regard"
lie replied, "but if we are short of
,rain cars in Montana it will be be-
'ause of the situation in the east. If
hey get the cars to us at the Twin
Jity transfer we will get them to
dontana. Certainly we will put
nough 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-
sted in Montana crop conditions
nd is gathering important data on
is trip. He said that he had re-
eived nothing but optimistic reports
ince entering the state. Winter
7heat is showing to splendid advan-
age, he said, and a big acreage of
pring grain will be sown. He is of II
he opinion that the total acreage
Tould be only little below normal.