Richmond times-dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1914-current, 1922-12-31
Il, Arthur 4. Nlahcr.


been written into tho record OF the
transportation industry since Jan
uarN last. Tho previous year had
been ono Of rcadjustmcut The Of
forts which had hccn mad" during
1920 TO overcome the conditions
growing out OF tho government con-
troll were continued I'm 1921 and the
closing months Of that year gave sur
nci"nt evidence that much progress
had been made. |, was also fairly
clear that tho worst OF the business
depression had passed
4, the beginning OF 1872 tho out
look for the year could not he do
scrihcd as other than encouraging
Sorro wage reductions had been made.
fuel and material costs were lower.
and events indicated that further re-
auctions in costs would he possible
only the continued agitation for rate
reductions ovevshadowcd the outlook
for the roads Most railroads and
executives were inclined TO recognize
the necessity for some degree of re-
auctions in rates and were willing to
share with shippers at least part Of
the economies which they knew
would result from further wage cuts
The first quarter Of the year. on
tho whole, bore ont these optimistic
expectations. Conditions during tho
winter months arc never favorable
for economical railroad operation. but
in January and February the monthly
returns were at least satisfactory.
while the incrca scd traffic in March.
IN anticipation Of the coal miners
strike on April /. was q! material aid
IN increasing earnings.
The strike when it came seriously
affected the traffic and earnings of
some OF tho Eastern lines. but on the
Whole its effect Oh the country gem
orally was less tlr,n had been antfci-
natcd. Other traffic continued To
move in considerable volume. tho
Spccial feature which marked tho year
ne'nc the heavy loadinss of mcrchan-
dlse and miscellaneous freight Some
%: tho lines which served nonunion
coal fields naturally did CAPACITY
business. and their heavy earnings
holncd 10 increase the average FOR the
country.
Rates Reduced.
before thu effects OF the suspension
"t Goa mining had become pro-
Hounccd. and while hopes were sim
cid out for carly settlement Of ,hc
trouble. the Interstate Commerce
commission handed down = decision
Which IA effect applied u 10 per cent
reduction !" the entire freight rate
schedule. except where reductions of
81 least that amount had been made
previously by voluntary action Of the
carriers. In view az tho general SON
timcut that tho rates IN .ffcr, vor,
h"i@pcring business and dcpriy ing tho
roads OF traffic, an opinion which
many roalruad men shared. tho dc.
'iSI"n was not surprising. but il Loft
'u' railroads faced with tho problem
81 ma in,ainlur not revenues with
lover rates during tho latter halr
~ me year when more than 30 per
jov.y.r 49,
70 come. on July !. tn. y,ry d.y ne,
s'h" rat" decreases became ofr.c,iy.
tho ajion4.i3. s,ri.. rr,f,,...,.. 10
trnen began In spit. ~ -. a.,
me s,-lEe was ordered in doG,,.s -
decision %: The United S,atc- paf.
"as Labor Ros-d o-irr!n. w..
fHr'.97 sf'sr seyera. months Spen, In
.-s4-.-r -h. case .-t 80
--s.,--.,- s..t.,,
s-. e, .-a --f -..II.
aL.s . -us-t-
. No.
~, az
z ..rs-.s ~.
,'''s-s
~ .-.,.-.
49,
~
s ID. -.la -r-
-s. $40 morn.
Ware se-sr, .-a-,
'Hs msa ar! rr...-.f-....
-5a, Ill w. .".i.
Sar.e,rhs- ana By
-srd.e b,d ..,reI ''.
r.!, THO ...l,-. ""'sa
81, IN. ..,,., ,,' hS t." roads
diG no, sla-,.r,t.Ii