The Washington herald., 1922-12-28
Thorough 0verhauling Of coun-
try's Transportation System
as to Supply and Efficiency
EXPECT TRAFFIC INCREASE
Farmers Complaints of Inade-
quate Service Cause Keen
Inquiry to Remedy Conditions
BY Universal Service.


Thorough overhauling Of the
TRANSFORMATION systems of the
country, both from the standpoint
of car supply and equipment eff
cheney, was started yesterday by
the Interstate Commerce Commits
sion. The governors of all the
States have been asked to join
with the commission in the in
guiry.
PROBE OF SHORTAGE.
Searching inquiry into the rail-
road car shortage, together with
the ability of the railroads to han
die the volume Of business being
given them, is proposed by the COM
mission
Inves cation Of the condition of
enginSS and other equipment from
the Stardncint OF safety and eff
ciencv VIII be made to ascertain
whether he railroads have recov-
cred rom the deterioration caused
bv Tho s.: rike OF the rail workers
last s1Irmer.
Comma 'nts Of inadequate cars
throrqEout the Central and Far
wesrrrn regions to meet the needs
of tho shippers and Of the inability
Of NJ ,iIroads to move the vol
unrr - traffic prompted the COM
rnis~sg1 to take this action.
Fo-rral hearings will be held next
rno--n. with the shipping and busl-
ne~- b. terests asked to come oeIore
tn -smmlssion and make known
-h,ir requirements.
PROSPECTS OF BOOM.
spects of a record-breaking
vol--rae of freight traffic next year
snd the manifest inability OF the
r,iJroads 10 meet it have caused the
Commission TO reach the CONCLUSION
ina a serious situation IL In I'M
me|iate prospect. .no
Farming interests west OF the
Are heny mountains are sru7
gli1c with one Of the worst car
shor- ages in recent years, the colll
MIS- an has ascertained. Enormous
ouar ities of farm products nave
hen left on the hands OF the farrn-
ers through inability TO get cars
O,,.st;onnaires were sent to all
Of the railroads by the commission
vest ortiay asking for detailed IN
forrnation as TO the number OIL cars
owned or leased at this time, with
the number of new cars oruereu
but not vet delivered
The commission asked furtner
for estimates as to the numoer Oh
edd,tioraI cars needed at this time.
With an estimate OF their cost. and
also for the details OF the plans
FOR purchasing these cars.
GENERAL SURVEY PLANNED.
Survey of the condition Of all the
present equipment of the carriers
with the length of service oil each
class of ears, as well as OF loco
motives and the number OF loco
motives that are now unservlceabie'
is called for by the commission.
In entering upon its program Oh
ovcrhauIing the commission eNpeCls
to make drastic changes IN many
Of the rules and regulations win
resD.Ct TO car service and TO the
use Of railroad equipment by snip
peTs.
MANY Of the railroads. it has been
tound have made limited and alto
Csther inadequate purchases OF new
engines and equipment since the
START Of the war in 1917. due pri-
mariIv to the higher prices lot
equipment
The action of the commission Is
also aimed at the unwarranted pay
nent Of dividends by railroads IN
need Of now engines and cars, or
with insufficient facilities TO meet
the needs OF the shippers that they
are serving. Dividends OF the ran
roads are being scrutiniZed by the
commission and where it Is found
that thcv arc in need of additional
freight carving facilities. II Is eX'
pected that they will be asked for
an explanation.