Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1928-08-17
RAILROADS EXPECT
BETTER BUSINESS
Carriers Hope to Overcome
Poor Showing Made Thus
Far This Year.
BY !. c. ROYLE.

Special Dispatch 10 The star
NEW YORK, August 17--The time
of year is now approaching when the
railroads must make their bast show
ings If they are to wind up 1929 with
record comparable to that of 1927.
So far the car loadings of the class
roads have not equaled those for the
corresponding period of last wear and
are we'll below those for 1926 Rail-
road earnings. however. have stood ND
remarkably, for the roads have seldom.
If ever. been in such fine physical con-
dition or so adequately and econom-
icallv managed
With ordinary good fortune during
the remainder of the Summer and Fall
the record for the year should be en-
couraging. The wheat and fruit crops
now ere moving at full volume. What
the corn crop will yield in the way of
freight revenues remains to be seen
That Is in the hands of the weather
man. So, also. Is the cotton movement
from the South and Southwest.
Fruit and Potato Crops.
The movement of oil both by pine
line and by tank cars, is improving in
response to the better range in prices
and trains going back to the oil dis
tr1c:s are carrying additional loads of
oil-country supplies. Both the fruit and
potato cross will be huge. but il is
doubtful if their full volume will be
moved at all
The coal carriers have suffered all
year from the depression which has
| held the coal industry in it's grip. The
huge stocks of fuel piled I'D in back
months have not yet been exhausted.
and shipments have been curtailed. At
no distant date. however. this condi-
| ton can be counted on to right itself
Shipments of lumber. building mate
rails. ores and metals have improved
and give evidence OF stability.
The volume OF manufactured prod
nctS seems likely 10 be of extraordinary
proportions. Textile shipments show
no likelihood of immediate increase
, nut the silk trains from the West Coast
| to the Atlantic will be as rushed as
usual.
Raw Materials Movement.
The volume of cement used this Fall
| especially on the streets and HIGH
WAYS, Will account for millions of bags
ana, while the hauls of this product
are not long. they are profitable.
Raw materials are moving fast into
| the industrial centers. The in-eoino
and outgoing freight of the automo7
bile producing districts is growing
Shipments of agricultural machinery
seem sure to continue in large volume
Tor the farmers are fairly we'll con-
vinced that their prosperity in the
future depends on the introduction of
improved machinery.
II should not be forgotten. however
that this is presidential year. Finan-
clerS, manufacturers and other business
men declare they fear no upheaval of
business no matter who is elected. but
the political situation is always likely
10 be used as an excuse on the slightest
provocation. The loss of an expected
order in a presidential year is likely
to send buyer scurrying to cover BE-
hind the uncertainty of politics" when
his own orders are solicited.
Building Outlook.
After all. the building volume is
pretty sure 10 keep UP. and the kew
industries can be counted on TO s,lup'v
sufficient employment az high v-a~cs to
nullity any hint of depression.