Yerington times. [volume] (Yerington, Nev.) 1907-1932, 1922-12-27
SOUTHERN PACIFIC
REPLIES TO U. P.
FIGURES MADE PUBLIC SHOW
SUPERIOR EFFICIENCY OF
S. P. OPERATION


improvements on the Central Pacific,
J. III. Dyer, general manager OF the
Southern Pacific Company, has issued
the following statement:
1.-THE charge of the Union Pacific
that the Southern Pacific has failed
for the last ten years, during the
period of litigation, to make proper
improvements on the Central Pacific
and the declaration that Union Pacific
management would mean more I'M
provements and greater development,
are best answered by the facts.
1T is true that during the period OF
litigation improvements on the Cen
trail Pacific Railroad have been made
sparingly. This was dictated by sound
business judgment, and no other
course could have been justified to the
$4,000 owners of the companys stock.
improvements such as the proposed
new depots at Reno and Sacramento.
and extensive double tracking pro-
grams we're put aside until the rela-
tions between the Southern Pacific
and Central Pacific should have been
established on a basis which would
safeguard the investment. In spite OF
the cloud Of litigation, however. no
expense has been spared to keep the
Central Pacific in the highest condi-
ton of operating excellence. every
safeguard for traffic has been in
stalled, only the heaviest type of rails
has been laid, and in the matter of
general equipment the only measure
has been the highest standard.
Medium for Comparison
Comparisons are odious, but it was
the Union Pacific that insisted on
bringing this element in the contro-
versy. The Oregon Short Line, ex'
tending from Ogden toward Portland,
is Union Pacific property. which in
location and mileage affords a very
good medium for comparison be-
tween Southern Pacific and Union Pa
cific stewardship.
During 1921 the additions and bet
terments on the Oregon Short Line
totaled s1,134,S16.67. During the same
period the Southern Pacific, in spite
of the cloud on it's title. spent $2.9o7.-
1886 in additions and betterments on
the Central Pacific.
"That the public has benefited pro-
portionately by these expenditures
may be estimated from a comparative
record of Southern Pacific and Union
Pacific service.
During 1921, only 1872 per cent of
the Union Pacific passenger trains
were on time, whereas 93.9 per cent of
the Central Pacific passenger trains
were on time.
During 1921, 70 per cent Of the
through freight trains were on time on
the Union Pacific, as against 81 per
cent punctuality of the through freight
trains on the Central Pacific.
During 1921, 60 per cent Of the
perishable fruit trains of the Union
Pacific were on time. against 80 per
cent on time on Central Pacific.
Central Pacific Southern Pacific
locomotives, notwithstanding heavier
grades, ran 9.5 per cent more miles
daily than did those of the Union Pa
cific. and consumed 1915 per cent less
fuel per ton mile.
During the recent shipments strike
the Southern Pacific-Central Pacific
annulled no passenger trains. whereas
the Union Pacific were unable to move
en- do
Annual Expenditures
During Union Pacific control the
average annual expenditure in i'm
provements and extensions on the
Southern Pacific-Central Pacific was
$7,500,0OO. Since the REIMBURSEMENT
of control by Union Pacific the
Southern Pacific-Central Pacific has ex.
pended annually over $13,000,000 in
extensions and improvements, not
withstanding the war period. when all
improvements were curtailed. In other
words the Southern Pacific has eX
pended annually in improvements
about double the amount which had
been expended annually during Union
Pacific management.
1.-THE Southern Pacific has just
bought additional freight equipment to
the extent of seven million dollars,
and in addition is paying one-half the
cost of 5000 refrigerator cars which
will be operated by the Pacific Fruit
Express--one-half of which is owned
by the Union Pacific.
"Tn 1923 the total additional re,
frigerator cars available to the Pacific
Fruit Express over and above those
owned by it October 1, 1922. will be
500, representing an investment of
nearly 25 million dollars.
Future improvements
"In spite of the litigation which has
menaced the Southern Pacific's title to
the Central Pacific, the Central Pacific
has been maintained in standard OF
efficiency which has enabled 1t to
render public service far better than
that given by the Union Pacific. Once
our title to this property is assured. or
l. f<,o, ae1n Il s<>,.