The Waterbury Democrat., 1936-01-09

construction activities, but also on the adaptation of transportation methods to conditions created by competition from other means of transportation"
 The financial status of the car- riers was depicted in gloomy colors.
 Although traftlc increased slightly during 1885, bringing higher reve- nues, operating expenses kept pace.
 Net Deficit Rises
 As a result, the commission pointed out, net deficit of Class l steam railways for the first seven months of 1885 rose to S70, 0,025, ,038, compared with $2o, ,807, ,250 in the le3 period.
 At the same time, the comnis- sion said, railroads partially met increased wage costs by reducing employment and continued main- tenance at the low depression level.
 "The operating revenues" the commission said, "have in 1885 con- tinued above the lowest level of the depression, but there has been lack ing the pronounced improvement which was necessary to absorb the increased level of wages and mate- rial cost"
 It reported net railway operat- ing income in the first eight months of 1895 at 12.9 per cent below that in the 1884 months although the operating ratio rose from 74.56 to 77.04.
 Tn an effort to meet this situa- ton, the commission said roads were active in extending pickup and delivery service, replacing tr1- profitable trains with bus and truck transport, dominating bus transport lines, experimenting with lighter equipment, increasing comfort and speed of passenger trafi1c and seek ing economies through pooling of traffic.
 Fare Decision Soon
 The commission revealed that a decision in its long-continued irl- vestigation of passenger fares may be expected shortly.
 Without indicating the nature of the decision, the commission did ad- wise that southern and western rail- roads where experimental low pas- senger fares were adopted showed steady and encouraging increases in both passengers carried and rev. enue received"
 Meantime, eastern carriers where rates have been held at standard levels "are just about holding hteir own."
 The decline in passenger trafnc and revenue, steady since 1923, ap- pears to have struck its lowest level, the commission said.
 The commission recommended a brief program of new legislation in- cluding:
 Further legislation to protect rail employees losing their jobs due to abandonment or unification of roads.
 An amendment to the act to per- init regulation of minimum rates Of water carriers within the l. c. c. Jurisdiction.
 FIOVioAOii Ol d PCiaAVy 090AASo carriers which fail to make correct responses to requests from the commission for information.
 Amendment of the l. o. c. act to provide appellate divisions of five or more commissioners and thus aid the commissions effort to de- partmentalize its work.
 Inquires Under Way
 The commission reported several Investigations underway. among
 A continuing inquiry into com plaints of intermountain livestock shippers concerning unsatisfactory schedules to Chicago.
 Investigation of alleged irregu- larities of extensive scope in con- nection with the loading and weigh ing of livestock shipments in the southwest"
 Study of & plan whereby car riers lease track at intermediate points to shippers with tank cars thus releasing the owners from pay ment of demurrage while the car' on the leased track.
 The commission reported po' tential shortage of freight cars duo to continued decline in surplus cars decline to 208.158 from 397.66s freight cars being shown from Dec 1, 1884 to Oct. 3l, 1885.