The Birmingham age-herald., 1923-04-01
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Main 4soo Tsiephons Telephone - Main <eo0
FOR MORE TONNAGE

Intention of the railroads of the country to spend upwards of seven hundred million dollars during the year on facilities and equipment, construction of much of which IS already uder way, shows healthy condition and expectation that things will become steadily better. It is noted that some roads will pay especial attention to expansion of terminals, in the effort better to handle tonnage in times of peak haulage. Train service is improving, and there is less and less talk about being unable to take care of the business offered. It appears also that the financing of railroads is coming back to normal, for there seems to be plenty of money available, even though the general tendency of rates is downward. The theory that increasing rates increases net income has not worked out as many anticipated, and only the growing volume of business can be credited with the increasing prosperity of the carriers.
 One of tho principal criticisms Of the rail- roads lately has been their tendency to fal- ter at peak seasons and to become involved in freight compositions, especially at ter minals. It is encouraging to learn that this condition during the winter just passed was less acute than for several years This bet torment is attributed to moro efficient man. agement, more elastic equipment, and to the distribution of our export tonnage among wider number of ports. In the days when New York was our principal funnel for ex- port the business of the whole nation was periodically halted when goods piled up there in such quantity and confusion that there was no getting in or out. The turning or a great business southward to the gulf ports has been of tremendous advantage to the movement of our commodities to seaboard. The fact that the southward lines are never impeded by snow and the storms of winter expand their capacity to the extent that lines elsewhere arc blocked. It is pleasing to note that railroads of the South are among the foremost in enjoyment of prosperity and are among the leaders in plans for capital in- vestment in new equipment and facilities.
 One of the remarkable features of the de- velopment of transportation in new direc- tions and through new territory has been the great increase in new tonnage. The total vol ur,e of goods produced has increased and is still increasing. This rate of increase more than keeps pace with the expanded transpor- tation facilities of all kinds. It is believed
 
 that the worlds needs will take our present capacity to produce and to transport, and that once the financial troubles of the nations are relieved the demand for our goods will reach an unprecedented strength. It is ap- parent that such is the belief of the railway companies. or they would not at this tame be expending their capital resources on ex- 2 pansons and new equipment. Any layman may form judgment as to future condi- tions; buG those who are willing to back up their prophetic vision with millions in cold cash are the ones whose opinions carry con- viction. There is no single factor more con- vincingly demonstrative of the anticipated further expansion of our productive activity than the plans of the railroads to spend hun- dreGs of millions in preparation for increased business.