Evening star., 1933-04-16
UNIFORM Standard
IS HELD RAIL AID
Riley E. EIgen Says Vast Sav.
ings Could Thus Be Expect
ed Each Year.

A vast saving could be effected each
year by the railroads of the country
through adoption Of uniform standards
Tor many Of the huge numbers Of pieces
OF equipment, Government and rail-
road officials have been informed by
Riley E. Elgen, vice chairman Of the
District Public Utilities Commission,
Mr.. Elgen has set forth numerous
possibilities Of economies In railroad
operation in statements laid before
Commissioner Joseph B. Eastman Of the
Interstate Commerce Commission and
the organization Of railroad executives
He points out he speaks from many
years experience in the maintenance
and valuation railroading fields. He
served prior to his local appointment
as an expert on valuation, specializing
on costs Of reproduction and deprecia-
ton, with the Interstate Commission.
Sees Economy Plums.
There are vast unexplored realms
abounding in economy plums," Mr..
Elgen declares In his outline. 1T Is,
however. q form Of savings which only
q strong and determined dictator can
effect, but the possibilities Of such per-
manent year after year reductions in
SOAAotA uSClOn dlAu ORCld dIIlS CARCllSCo a. e
real and can be brought about"
Again, after outlining numerous tech
nical possibilities, Mr.. Elgen declares,
THE attainment of such uniformity
could not be possible except through
the action Of an authority empowered
to represent all Of the railroad COM
panies. The consolidation OF railroads
into larger systems, of course, would
nelp materially to reduce the number
Of different standards now in use, but
would not make unnecessary q scien-
tif1c investigation, and would not have
any immediate material effect tending
to cure this lack Of uniformity"
Mr. Elgen declares that he has pre-
viously suggested savings to some rail-
road spokeSmen, but reports they did
not acknowledge receipt Of the COM
munications
There is no such thing as a ma
tional standard for railroads as a
whole, each operating according to its
own set Of rules, methods and prac-
tices, except as to those laid down by
the Interstate Commerce Commission
or where movements of equipment re-
quire certain uniformity" he states.
Great Savings Possible.
IF standard rules, methods and prac-
tices were fitted scientifically to all
railroads, 1t would result in tremendous
savings annually in construction, oper-
alton and maintenance expenses.
Even the specifications for track
spikes which are driven into the cross
ties to hold the rails in place are not
standard for all railroads. The kinds
Of nut locks used for identical purposes
on different railroads are as variable
as styles Of beach pajamas at Miami. u
As to possibilities Of uniformity in
specifications for like conditions. Mr..
Elgen reports that one railroad will re-
quire 3,400 crossties per mile OF track
while an adjacent road will require,
under similar trafic conditions. only
5000 such ties.
Also, he adds, one road will require
use Of tie plates on all crossties and
q neighboring road makes no such re-
quirements. There is bound to be waste
in either the practice Of one or the
other" Mr.. Elgen insists.
Cites Weight Differences.
Citing other lack Of uniform require
ments for generally the same condi-
tions, Mr.. Elgen outlines wide differ
ences in the weight Of rails used, the
treatment of timbers used for crossties,
the wide difference in the costs Of bal
last material for use under tracks car
rying comparable traffic. the wide va
riety Of designs used for freight cars,
etc.
If freight cars did not have to be
returned to their home roads until
tonnage was available" he continues,
"a very large saving in car rental could
be made. Such economies could only
be accomplished, however. by pooling
all equipment now separately owned.
However, as most of the equipment Is
purchased through equipment trust
bonds it should not be difficult to re-
finance and transfer to one national
company"