The Morning Tulsa daily world. [volume] (Tulsa, Okla.) 1919-1927, 1922-07-30
RUSSIAN ROADS
IN SORRY STATE
Sixty per Cent of $4,000
Engines Reported Out
of Working Order

LONDON-The deplorable state OF
Russla's railways was outlined by
Col. c. S. Gaskill of Moorestown, y.
j.. former chief OF the American re-
lief administration traffic division,
who recently was in London en- route
to the United States. where he is TO
resume his position with the Penn
sylvania railroad.
Thorc are only $1,000 versts Ga
verst IL two-thirds OF mile) or
railroad In all Russia under soviet
control, Colonel Gaskill stated:
This means about one-tweltth or
the United states mileage in
country far larger. Enormous
stretches OF territory, including
many fair sized cities, have to de-
pend for their connection with the
outside world on wagon and river
transport. being absolutely un-
touched by railroads.
The total number OF locomo-
tives," Colonel Gaskill said, "ac-
cording to soviet official figures,
is only 1900. OF which 60 per cent
are ont OF commission. OF the re-
naming 40 per cent is per cent are
fully 80 years old. The number OF
cars Is estimated at 44O 900, OF which
80 per cent are out OF service. The
condition OF the others is dilapidated
in the extreme
Evidences OF former wealth In
rolling stock are seen In some fine
large American and other cars,
which one constantly finds piled up
on sidings, where they are used as
houses OF refugees and even BY rail-
road officials.
Make Homes From Cars.
These cars have been turned In
many cases into quite comfortable
homes" he declared. whole fam
ilies conduct regular menage in
them. Presumably many OF these
cars were seized during the various
wars and never returned TO their
proper uses"
Tho railroad beds, the colonel
stated, apparently did not suffer
much as a result OF war. but now
they are showing the need Of repair.
The ties are rottinc. and so far the
people have not had the strength to
cut the wood for manufacturing new
ones. The same lack OF strength was
largely accountable for the dearth of
fuel which at first threatened to
American relief administration sup
plies.
"Our salvation" no declared, LAY
in the fact that the govern ment was
able to transform the engines from
wood or coal to oil burners. Ca
madam tank cars are now bringing
sufficient fuel from the oil fields Of
Baku."
The utter destltution OF the coun-
try affects the railroads in many
small as well as large ways. For
example, cotton waste for cleaning
purposes Is unobtainable. and work
ers have to content themselves with
the ticker tape used for Russian tel
egrams, Paint, of course. Is now an
unknown luxury.
But the Russian railroad officials
are as keen as ever" the colonel
stated. The government, fortunately
for us, retained most OF the old ex-
perts, and we have TO thank their
energy and efficiency for the fact
that our stocks got moved. These
men have been cut off for years
from the outside world.
Askni for Literature.
They all begged me to send
them literature, especially on
American methods OF signaling"
III NblASaAltAAllk AIlt movement Nl
American relief administration sup
plies during the spring, Colonel Gas
Kill said II must be remembered that
they were the only freight outside OF
the soviet seed cargoes, moving over
the roads.
1T Is ridiculous 10 say that any
more material could have got in
than we sent" he declared. "Ours
sot in only by almost superhuman
efforts"
Before leaving Russia Colonel
Gaskill spent some months as gu
pervisor OF the American relief ad.
ministration, feeding in Saratov.
where American food is keeping
l1S3,0O0 people alive.
You can feel the results OF our
feeding in the very atmosphere. he
declared. We've given those peas
ants new lease on life, and I sup
pose one would have 10 be saved
from starvation himself TO realize
the Intensity OF their gratitude"
Colonel Gaskill is now returning
10 America after an absence OF five
years, during which time he served
with the engineers In France under
General Attcrbury, later becoming
technical adviser 10 the Polish gov
ernment. He has been eight months
In Russia with the American relief
administration, His home is In
Moorestown, n. ].