The Logan Republican. [volume] (Logan, Utah) 1902-1924, 1921-04-07
100000 FREIGHT
CARS IDLE

InedTly 4UVtVUV lule lTelBnt cars IN
the United States. Assuming the av-
erage value OF freight car at $4,000
this represents a capital investment
of one billion dollars in this single
phase of railroad activity which Is
not earning cent but which Is ac-
tually turning in loss due to deter
ioration," delares the Republican
Publicity association, through its
president. Hon Jonathan Bourne Jr.
THE National Conference of State
Manufactures associations recently
issued from its Chicago Office ques-
tionnaire TO test the opinion OF man
ufacturers respecting the railroad sit
uation. Accompanying the question
naire was letter from the presi-
dent of the conference, Mr. Butter
worth. in which he said Since the
Ohiy itdl hopt VI u ttuuCtlOH III rates
lies in the railways securing a re-
duction in their operating expenses,
they should have the support of ev-
cry business man, every shipper and
every consumer in the country in the
effrt tohe are making to reduce these
excuses
Commenting on the high freight
rates and the Inadequate net re-
turns, Mr.. Butterworth says: Here
is the answer. Between 1917 and
1920 their total gross earnings in
creased from four billion TO six bill
lion two hundred million dollars or
two billion two hundred million dol
lars a year In the same year their
operating expenses increased from
two billion eight hundred million
dollars to five billion eight hundred
million dollars or three billion dol
lars year, The increase in eXpens.
es was about one billion dollars
greater than the increase in earn
ings.
The total wages paid in 1917
we're about $1,000, O00, 900. The to-
tai wages paid in 1920 were almost
S3.7O0.0OO.0OO. representing about
two thirds OF such increase in eS,
penses. The balance of such increase
in expenses was due to the inrease
in the cost of materials and supplies
The advance in railway wages was
granted by the United States Rail
road Labor board last July, so was In
effect only eight months OF 1920. Al
ter It was granted the wages of rail
way employees were running at the
rate of almost S4,0O0,0O0 yearly, q
sum approximately equal to their to.
} tai gross earnings in 1871
Another instance Of the effect OF
, federal interference is cited as fol
. lows: There was an increase in the
number OF nine classes OF shop EN-
,pioyees between 1917 and 1920 Of
: $4,000 or about ~ per cent. These
, employees in 1917 were paid 1913.
900. 900 in wages. while after The
United States Railroad Labor boards
wage award Isl July their wages
were running approximately a
$3.50. 100000 year, an increase O
= 5S2!OoO,OOo. or $50 per cent. Th'
, railways are trying at present to ge
/, the board 70 set these agreement
, aside so a. 70 decresss.t the labor cos
: and they are also trying to secure r,
auctions in the wages of unskilled la
: ,bor:to the basis Of the wages bern.
paid for such labor by other indpe
, tries IT. ~ i p ~
! s"Th6} more one studies tho. rail
, road situation brought about by thu
deposed King of the Democrats and
: his pglnee of chs treasury and direc
I tor of the railroads, the more 1t be
cmes impressed on the mind tina
r they were seemingly engaged in tn
. attempt to wreck the roads, driY,
them into the hands Of the govern
/. meht permanently and by outraGeou
. padding OF the payroils to build n
, n voting class which would perpet
- L..