Seward daily gateway., 1925-02-09
Electric Railroads
 Coordinate Service
 By Operating Buses

NEW YORK, Feb. S.--Service ex- tensions by both rail and bus lines, totaling more than 5000 miles thruout the United States were made by cleo tric railways during 1924, J. N. Shan nahan, president of the American Electric Railway Association announc- ed today. Most of this extension was made by the railways supplementing their service with busses, but the 312 miles of new rail construction was the
 most since 1918, MT. Shannahan said busses and cars into single transpor- tation units in communities was pro- |ceeding rapidly and improving serv- ice.
 Electric railways generally turnout the United States held their own dur ing 1922" MT. Shannahan declared "In the face of severe industrial de- pression early in the year, which ill Isome communities decreased traffic
 ten per cent, and an increase of 2,065- 590 in pleasure automobiles, the record is remarkable. Final figures for hte Iyear indicate total passengers carried will be within two percent of the 16, 0O0,00O,OOO total for 1923, which set an all time record.
 To-day the traffic trend on electric railways is upward and indications for banner year during 1925 are good. The electric railway curve in ivariably follows the general business trend.
 Perhaps the most encouraging fea- ture of the electric railway business today is the gradual but definite CO., ordination of electric lines and busses. Electric railway arrangements thru out the country are steadily assum- ing control of all local transportation, including both rail and motor lines, and co-ordinating it under one head One hundred and seventy electric rail- way companies are now operating a total of 2500 busses in the extension of passenger service into suburban ter ritories where traffic does not warrant the extension of rail lines and in sup plementing established rail service. The bus has replaced few car lines, which probably should never have been built, but nowhere has it suc- ceeded in supplying an entire city of any considerable size with complete transportation. Where public officials, citizens and companies are co-operat- ing in an endeavor to establish the best possible car-bus service, the wild cat jitney is rapidly disappearing through local and state legislation. The pleasure automobile is a far more serious competitor of electric rail- ways than busses.
 Underlying conditions with the electric lines are sound, as evidenced by the way the industry withstood the serious depression of the early part of the year. An increase of only one percent is shown in operating costs, although wages alone went up two per cent. There were 65 wage increases, 13 decreases and 60 renewals without change. The average fare increased from 7.31 in January, 1924. to 7.49 in January, 1925, or abouut 25 percent.
 "Only 13 lines representing 1922 miles of track and with outstanding securities of $75,OOO,OOO went into re- ceivership. Twenty-tWo companies, representing 1850 miles of track and S176000,0OO of securities, were dis charged from their financial difficult ties.
 "A total of 312 mile of new track, the most since 1918, was constructed and 712 miles reconstructed. A total of $342,0OO,0O0 will be spent in 1925 for new plant and supplies, an increase of 30 percent over the amount spent for similar purpose sin 1924"