The border vidette., 1923-12-01
MORE FREIGHT TRAFFIC
HANDLED DURING YEAR
THAN In ANY SINH
LAR PERIOD
SPEND $l,3e3,OOQ,OOO
FOR new FACILITIES
PLANS MADE TO CONTINUE
FINE RECORD OF EFFI-
CIENCY WITH AID
OF SHIPPERS

&tl9TS 0EEkN have been set by the
MM&Ns1FQ railroads this year.
E. This was disclosed in
e@@ the report OF Directors
Of the American Railway Association,
just received by the Southern Pacific
Company, reviewing results OF the
program to furnish adequate trans
portation to the public, adopted
early in 1928, and telling OF plans to
continue this good work for the rest
of the year and in 1924.
The hew records established are as
follows:
% The railroads, from January
to October / put in service 134,636
new freight cars and 1858 new loco
motives-a larger number than in any
similar period during the last ten
years.
(2) A larger number Of locomotives
and cars have been repaired and put
in serviceable condition than ever be-
fore in any equal period.
CD The railroads handled more
freight business between January l
and October 20 than in any CORE
spending previous period. The num-
Der of cars loaded with revenue
freight was 4O,545,92O. This compares
with 34,22O,4 ,426 in 1922 an increase OF
IS per cent; and with 36,S27 ,5SS in
1920, the previous record year, or an
increase of 10 per cent.
The box car surplus in the grain
producing states has been the greatest
in history.
(4) The average miles moved by
each freight car daily in the first 9
months OF the year was 27.6 miles,
and in September reached 29.2 miles.
This compares with 22.5 miles in the
first 8 months OF 1929, % miles in
1921 and PAS in 1920. This figure
is based upon the total number OF
freight cars owned, whether in tran
sit or not.
Without Congestion
90 Because of these inc,ea In
facilities resulting in the more rapid
business was handled without cOnges-
ton and with practically no car
shortage or embargoes for the first
time In years.
(6) The amount Of freight service
rendered with each car was 511 tons
carried one mile daily during months
OF 1923, which exceeds the record OF
any previous year, and surpasses that
Of 1922 by over 81 per cent.
CD From January / to October 1
the number of tons Of coal dumped
at Lake Erie ports for movement by
boat to the Northwest was greater
than in any previous year. The pro-
gram of providing coal for the North
west was completed much earlier than
in any previous year, thereby making
available additional locomotives and
cars for other commercial interests
during the fall and winter months.
(S) A greater amount OF railroad
coal has been placed in stockpile stor-
age than was ever heretofore stored
by the railroads, thereby making
available additional locomotives and
cars for general commercial service
during the fall and winter months.
The railroads have spent $1,303,-
244,000 for new equipment and other
facilities this year up to October l, a
record amount.
In addition to these expenditures
the Glass / roads in 1922 expended
$1,66S,573,271 for materials and sup
plies used in operation and mainten-
ance and this year will have spent
$500 ,0O0. 900 by the end of December
for this purpose.
Altogether the Glass / roads in 1923
will have spent over three billion dol
lars for equipment and facilities, ma
terials and supplies. This money has
gone to the industries of the country
and is one Of the prime causes con-
tributing to their expansion and the
employment Of labor, which, in turn,
has been a major factor in the in
crease in domestic demand for both
the products Of industry and the farm.
Fair Income Needed
The Association points out that a
continuance of these enormous capt.
tai expenditures, which are necessary
if the public is to be adequately served,
depends on such net income to
the carriers as will permit fair re-
turn on the property now devoted to
the public service and will make it
possible to secure the new capital
which is imperatively needed Atten-
ton is called to the fact that despite
the unprecedented volume Of traEc
successfully handled this year, the
railroads have not earned even the
moderate net income permitted by the
Transportation Act.
The Association also voiced the ap-
probation of the roads for the CO.
operation CT the shipping public which
has greatly assisted the handling Of
equipment. Their continued assist
! ance Is sought.