Evening journal., 1922-01-17
What the Railroads Are Doing
To Promote Efficiency

WASHINGTON. d. c, Jan. is.-
One OF the subjects OF investigation
before the Interstate Commerce
Commission is the efficiency with
which the railroads are conducted.
r. II. Ashton, president OF the
American Association. testified be-
for the Commission as to the efforts
towards efficiency conducted joint
" BY the carriers through the
agency Of the association, which has
8 membership OF IL reads. Mr..
Ashton said in part:
The work Of the association is
handled through seven different
divisions and three special organiza-
tsons. "everv division having gen.
erai committee OF experts dealing
with each question OF railway con-
struction operation and mainten-
ance coming under those divisions"
Division I--Operating.
Deals with the following subjects.
Operating rules governing the
movement OF trains.
Grade crossing protection and
trespassing.
Safe transportation Of .explo-
slves and other dangerous articles.
Medical and surgical work.
Telegraph and telephone con-
struction and maintenance.
Police and protective work.
Freight station Section cover
ing the general operation OF
freight stations.
Safety Section in the interest Of
accident prevention.
Regarding the work OF this divi-
sion. the operating rules as recon-
mended are today very generally
standard on all the railroads in the
country whereas formerly there
were different rules on practically
every different railroad.
Division U--Transportatiop.
This division deals with demur-
rage, storage. reconsignment car
service and per diem, railroad busi-
ness mail and freight handling SER
vice. In each one Of these activities
the recommendation OF this divi-
sion have practically become stand
ard practice on all the railroads.
Division Iu--Trafiic.
The function Of this division Is to
co-oporeate with the Operating and
Transportation Sections on such
matters as Standard Containers,
packing and marketing weighing
and inspection, car service, demur-
rage and storage. and one OF their
principal activities Is TO maintain
close cooperative working arrange
ments with organizations Of shippers
and commercial activities so that
mutual understandings may be
reached on these various matters.
Division Mountaineering,
Handles questions of construction
and maintenance, both Roadway
and Structures, and has also an
Electric Section and a Signal Sec
ton. This division studies perform.
ance OF rails in track and a critica
Investigation OF the causes OF raj
breakage with a view particularly
TO their prevention.
The Signal Section has for severa
years condicted an extensive work II
Standardization OF signal appliances
with a very noticeale reduction II
the number OF patterns used in th'
different classes Of signal work, viii
consequent reduction in supple
carried by the railroads for repairs
a. well as decreasing cost
Division Mechanical.
This division considers and re
ports upon methods OF construction
maintenance and service OF the roll
ing stock OF the railroads, including
rules OF interchange. Their worl
also includes Standardization o.
parts OF rolling stock.
Division VI-Purchase and Stores
This division is working on recon-
mended practice, reclassificauon OF
material, reclamation OF material
material accounting. cross tie pur'
chases and inspection. etc. The OBJ
ject and progress made so ear indi
Gates that all their work is in the
direction OF increased economy and
efficiency.
Division VII--F'rcight Claims.
This division is composed general
~ OF Freight Claim Agents OF th'
different railroads who handle th'
entire subject OF investigation an,
settlement OF freight claims. With
in the last two years and succeeding
Federal Control at their suggestion
the railroads acting through tn
American Railway Association di
ected them TO conduct a campaig
, prevention Of loss and damage 1
freight traffic