Evening star., 1923-04-06

responding period in the history OF
the country.
I'm full realization Of the necessity
for the greatest Improvement and ex-
pansion possible of the country s
transportation facilities 70 meet the
growing demands Of commerce, the
railroads have authorized. since Jan
uary l. 1929, for cars. locomotives,
trackage. and other facilities the eX-
penditure OF sf,540.o00.ooo, of which
$44o000,00o was actually expended
during the year 1922
THE railroads Of the country are
raising this enormous amount OF ad-
ditional capital largely through bor-
roWed money on the abiding faith in
the fairness OF the American people
and reliance on the continuance OF
the policy announced in the transpor-
tation act of 1920 as n measure OF
reasonable protection to Investment
in railroad property.
New Equipment Bought.
From January !. !g22, to March
rs 1925 the railroads purchased
22&,6l6 new freight cars Of these
ll7250 have been delivered aud put
in service. The railroads during that
time also purchased 4,2la new loco
motives. OF that nunbOr 2.lQi have
already been PLACED in service. Prac-
Iicallv all the equipment still on or
der is 20 be delivered by fall. At
which tine freight traffic is always
the heaviest. subsequent orders for
ADDITIONAL ears and locomotives are
constantly being placed
The railroads have already estab-
lished and have in active and CT
fective operation comprehensive or
ganization in the car service division
for the central control and distribu
| ton OF freight cars. which. during re
cent periods of car shortage. has, un-
der difficult conditions. secured TO the
public the best possible use of avail
able freight equipment.
The freight car repair program is
10 be prosecuted with a view to con-
ditioning for grain and grain prod
| ucts movement. which showed par
| iticuIarly noticeable increase last year
! the largest possible number of hny
cars. and extraordinary measures
arc also 10 be taken TO reduce the
number Of refrigerator cars awaiting
repairs 10 the lowest possible limit F.
Ask for Co-Opcration.
The effective cooperation OF ship
pers durinE recent years has helped
| to lift American railroad performance
! 70 higher levels At this time tho
railroads hespeak an even wider CO.
] operation on the part OF the public II
! can assist by storing coal during the
/ spring and summer months in an.
! ttcipatton Of fall and winter require
!
! Everybody can help by looking for
ward. Every shipment which by fore
sight can be dispatched during April
/ May, June or July Will help TO de.
| crease anT congestion in September
| October or November Every shipper
! who Will load cars to capacity anc
/ every Consignee who will promptly
/ unload cars will by so doing save tht
| equivalent OF many cars for the bcne7
! OF all shippers.
! This appeal Is made With full rec
| ogrition by the railroads If their
! own responsibility for prompt move.
ment of loaded OF empty eQuipmeu'
| as being one of the primary measures
| necessary 10 avoid waste Or trauspur.
tstion The railroads in the carrying
| out OF their program confidently look
| forward TO the successful movement
! OF the argest volume OF traffic In the
| history of tho country and pledge
their best efforts to that end"