The Caldwell tribune. [volume] (Caldwell, Idaho Territory [Idaho]) 1883-1928, 1920-01-30
Enormous Demands Made On
Transportation System Re.
Gently Have Made Heroic
Policies Necessary.

Washington, January D.-Enor-
nous demands have been made upon
the transportation system Of the I'm
tied States during recent months, ac-
cording to q statement issued today
by Walker d. Hines, director general
Of railroads. Indications point to ex-
ira heavy business during the remain
der Of January and February. While
the business has been taxed to the ut
most, various devices have been en-
ployed to insure the greatest possible
efficiency in handling enormous vol
umes OF freight.
The statement follows:
Indications are that the demand
for transportation during the remain
der Of January and February will be
extraordinary heavy for this season
of the year, and take this means,
first. of giving assurance that the rail
road administration proposes until the
last day of federal control to make ev-
cry effort to meet thi. extraordinary
demand a. fully as possible and, sec
ond, Of pointing out some of the linn
itations which are operative now and
which will continue to be for some
time to come upon the performance of
full transportation service.
For the week ended January 3,
1920. the number OF cars Of revenue
freight loaded show an increase OF
l62, 228 cars over the same week of
1919 and an increase of 2l6,26o cars
over the same week of 1918. There is
promise of even greater increase as
the winter progresses.
Many Idle Cara.
"This increased demand is doubt
less due largely to the fact that as
result Of the cessation of industrial
activity following the signing of the
armistice business was in allegiance in
the spring of 1919. as was indicated
by the fact that there were large sur
pluses of cars in all parts of the I'm
tied States lying idle during those
months. Business was again inter
fered with b ythe abnormal difficult
ties due to the coal strike in Novem-
Der and December, but since then the
accumulated business has been de-
handing transportation with rush.
"The equipment available. despite
the great use to which it has been
put. 10 in practically normal condition
at the present time and has been con-
stantly improved since the shopmen's
strike in August, 1919. which mater
tally interfered with repairs.
"In the three years preceding fed
eral control the average number of
freight cars acquired per year Gin
GLIDING equipment rebuilt at company
shops) was 97.lsS, and after allowing
for retirements the net average ad-
dition was only 9.627 cars per year.
During the two years of federal con-
troll the average number OF freight
cars acquired per year will be approx
imately 81, 500, and after allowing for
retirements the net addition will be
not greatly in excess of the average
net additions during the preceding
three years. During these two years
no freight cars could be acquired in
addition to cars ordered prior thereto
but delivered during federal control,
except a total of 100000 freight cars,
al Of which are included in the aver
,ge per year above stated for the two
years of federal control. The l00,-
100 cars were ordered in 1918 and rep
,esented the maximum for which ma
erial and labor could be obtained. in
'iew of the demands for other war
1t was impracticable in
his order to provide for any addition
Il refrigerator, stock, or flat cars, and
here is an especially serious shortage
n these classes of equipment. No
reight cars could be ordered in 1919.
This was due to the clearly under
TODD policy of congress in favor of
he resulting lack of appropriations to
'e used for new capital expenditures.
Could Get no Equipment.
I'm February, 1919, l recommended
definite extension Of federal con-
rol, and gave as one of the import
mt reasons the fact that it would ad-
nit of entering at once upon an ex-
ensive program for increasing the
quipment and improving the term
nal and other facilities of the railroad
o take care of the growing business
{ the country. This view was not
cted upon, and no program for &C