The Caldwell tribune. [volume] (Caldwell, Idaho Territory [Idaho]) 1883-1928, 1920-02-13
MANY PEOPLE
R|DElCuSH|0ns
Passenger Traffic on Railroads
Increases By Leaps
and Bounds



striking in rcasc in passage travel
during the last two years which has
been largely responsible for the dif-
ficulty Of supplying sufficient passen-
ger equipment was indicated in the
annual report OF Edward Chambers,
director division Of traffic OF the rail-
road administration. to Walter D.
Hines, director general Of railroads,
for the year 1919 made public today.
Mr.. Chambers showed that total of
approximately 1901 27, 36s passen-
gers were carried mile in 1919, or
an increase OF l7.3 per cent over 1917
and an increase Of $50 per cent over
1916.
With constantly increasing volume
Of passenger business and little hope
Of carly additions to passenger train
equipment" said Mr.. Chambers, III
y important from the viewpoint Of
public convenience that there be no
abandonment Of the present plans for
the conservation of service"
Omit Du.licass ssrviea
Director Chambers pointed out that
as soon a. possible after the ending
OF the war former train service has
been restored 10 such extent Is SEEM
ed justified by the public need with
out. however. the reinstatement Of ex-
pensive duplicate sehvice and without
disturbing the arrangements instituted
during the early months Of the rail-
road administration under which the
arriving and leaving time OF trains Of
the different railroads between CON-
mon points was adjusted to serve best
the public convenience. He added
that certain train schedules have been
shortened to permit Of faster service
between the larger commercial centers,
some Of the limited trains have been
restored to their former schedules, I
number of observation cars have been
put back into service, and new sleep
ing car lines have been inaugurated.
He pointed out that train service add
ed in the western part Of the United
States alone in excess OF train mileage
cancelled during the war was repres-
ented by o,2i6,z06 additional train
miles per year. This being necessi-
tatcd BY tourist travel. development
OF commerce generally, and espec-
tally the new oil developments in the
southwest Mr.. Chambers also point
ed out that consistent effort has been
made TO effect desirable and conven-
lent connections between passenger
trains At interior functions. and .
competitive campaign has been con.
Quoted with very successful results,
having for its object an increase in
the number OF trains on time.
Mr. Chambers pointed out that il
was impossible to make many Of these
changes to bring about better service
to the public until well along in 1919,
because Of the very heavy soldier
travel due to the return Of the army
from France. which continued until
well along into the summer.
Cut Rental Expense.
Consolidated ticket offices have
now been established in i0e centers.
according to Mr., Chambers. These
offices receive seemingly the universal
commentator of the public" He said
that the saving in rental alone result.
ing from these consultations amounts
approximately to $l.8@6,o76 annually,
and the saving in salaries and mis-
ccllaneous expenses amounts to even
more. in spite Of the material increase
in wages granted to the employees.
He added that should the consolidated
offices continue throughout 1870 there
would be still further reduction in
the cost Of operation.
Among other improvements in serv-
ice mentioned by Mr.. Chambers was
the lettering of meals on dining cars.
unification Of terminal facilities. uni
formity in service and prices for meals
at railroad stations. standard table
l'hpte meal checks, standard size menu
cards. and also uniform prices for
and elothes-pressing serv.|
ice. He also pointed out that baggage
equipment has been pooled so as to
reduce to minimum the congestion
Of baggage and the incidental delays
resulting therefrom. Further progress
has also been made in the matter of
of time tables. folders,
etc. and provisions have been made
for the issuing of additional CONSOLE
dated time tables showing the sched-
ales by different railroads between
points. thus adding material