The star-progress. (Opelousas, La.) 1917-1921, 1921-03-02
ROADS LAYING OFF
MEN AS BUSINESS
BEGINS TO SLUMP
Various Lines Reducing
Number Of Employees in
All Branches
SAME CONDITIONS
PREVAIL EVERYWHERE
Fewer Freight Trains Are
Now Being Operated
Over Main Lines

The railroad business is reflecting
the general business depression ex-
listing all over the nation. A short
time ago when the high tide of pros
perity had everyone guessing what
would happen if the pace continued,
the railroads stated it was impos-
sible for them to furnish equipment
sufficient to meet the demands for
freight cars loaded with goods. All
passenger trains were taxed to accom-
modate the tremendous travel and
rolling stock and motive power
threatened to give way under the
mighty strain, and it was a difficult
matter for men working in the re-
pair shops to keep engiens and cars
in running shape, and so far as build
ing new ones-that was almost an
impossibility. There was a shortage
in every department Of the rail serv-
ice of the nation and the roads ap-
.peared breaking down under tn eloai
they had to carry.
There is quite another story to tell
today. The roads are not handling
near as much freight and the pas
senger end of the business has fol-
lowed suit with the freight end In
order to curtail expenses the roads
have found it necessary to lay off
many men employed in the several
departments. The cancelling of trains
has enabled the roads to dispense with
the services of engineers, conductors
and brakemen, while expenses in the
maintenance of way department has
bee materially reduced also.
day that not less than a half dozen
A man connected with a big system
that operates in Louisiana stated Mon
day tina tnot less than a half-dozen
freight trains had been annullad on
his road alone because of the great
drop in shipments. His line had
been operating not less than nine
or ten locals daily, besides two
through freights running from termi-
nal to terminal. Today the through
freights and about three locals easily
handle the loaded cars running over
the system.
Asked about the passenger traffic,
he stated that too, was rotten, few
people travelling as compared with
several months ago. High cost of
tickets and freight charges, coupled
with a shortage Of money, is given as
a cause for the slump in business. 1t
costs much more today to travel or
to ship than it did before the war,
due to the increased rates in effect
and the added war tax. Once an Ope.
lousean could buy a ticket to New
Orleans for about SALT. Today the
SINE ticket costs nearly $3.50, includ
ing the fifty-cent charge for the riv
err crossing and the added war tax
AS long as people had lots of money
they kfcked very little at this extra
charge, but now that money has gone
I in hiding they hesitate about travel
ing unless it is on important business
The roads began laying off employ
es some time ago and they are still
on the job of putting men out Of EN-
. ployment. Howling for a reduction
( in wages. they make no statement as
{ to probable reduction in freight aut
/ passenger charges. The solution o.
{ the problem, which some wise head:
. chin s the biggest thing ever before
the American people, stn gems {
-ons ways in the offing, AMI It MAJ
yet require government &C ION t.
| D~ing a final settlement. Nclhiag bd
lower rates will act as 4 stimulus.