Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1926-09-19
RY HARDEN COLFAX

Measured by freight traffic being
handled by the railroads. this Is the
most active business year in the his
tory of the United States. All previous
ira importation records have been
smashed thus far.
And as the carriers approach the
season when in former years crop
movements plus coal movements Plus
ordinary traffic usually spelled car
shortage. they have what promises to
be an adequate supply of equipment
valuable to meet orders, with no In
dications of a famine In any district.
Figures made available this week
through reports submitted by the
carriers to the American Railway
A Association and affiliated organizations
show that loadings of revenue frelght
in the first eight months OF 1926 were
more than 80 per cent ahead OF those
for the corresponding period or lSZo,
which In turn exceeded 1924 by "a per
cent and 1929 by 81 per cent.
Increased Activity Indicated.
Were business conditions parallel
each year. there would be some IN
crease in freight movement each sue
ceedinc wear due to growth In popu-
commerce throw such considerations
ont Of Joint. An increase of 1.153,-
Os4 in the number of cars loaded with
freirht which paws its way In the
period from January l to September
this wear over the same period or 1870.
which in itself was a, remarkable year,
indicates nothing less than greatly IN
creased activity in business.
At no time during the World War
were American railroads called upon
10 handle the vast volume OF freight
now being transported. Indeed, war
records were low, compared to those
established since. The peak or ran
road freight movement. In what might
he termed the old days. was reached
during the piping boom months OF
1920. the year the carriers were re-
turned by the Government to private
control and in which postwar inf1a.
tion stretched itself beyond the danger
point and burst.
In 1920 the railroads transported
45.11S,O 900 cars OF revenue freight Re
ad iu stment during 1921 caused drop
to 3s,323,00 cars. Partial recovery In
1922 saw 43,207 900 cars loaded; much
better times in 1923 brought a new
high record Of 49,S12,000. There was
a slight recession to 1854, 900 in 1924:
then along came 1925 with a leap to
81 1T 900.
If freight loadings continue during
the last third of 1926 in proportion to
those of the first eight months. it will
again mean that the railroads will
transport this year almost half
carload Of freight for every man.
woman and child in the United States.
During the first 36 weeks this year
the railroads loaded 35.s5a.0 cars
with revenue freight. That is only
3.473,o0O less than the total for the
full 10 months of 1921.
Taking car loadings as a measur-
ing rod. business In this year OF
grace is almost so per cent more ac-
tive than in the year of depression,
1921.
The showing is made more remark
able by the fact that not only are
more cars being loaded with freight
this year than ever before. but each
car Is being loaded more heavily on
the average, so that the tonnage in
crease is greater than the car figures
alone indicate.
A remarkable showing Is being
made by the movement of general
merchandise in less than carload
lots and by traffic in miscellaneous
freight, in carload shipments, these
two classified tons including general
manufactured products. Both are
far ahead of any previous year on
record thus far.
Biggest Week Recently.
Coal coke and ore have been load
ed in larger quantities during the
first eight months of 1925 than In
any corresponding period. excepting
that of 1923 Forest products are
about equal TO the 1924 period. but
behind 1929 and 1925. The livestock
movement has been tagging. being