RAILWAY ECONOMIES.

Northern Advocate, 29 December 1917, Page 2

RAILWAY ECONOMIES.

An illustration 'of What gcdnbiiiies can accomplish by a cbnceritratioti of control is arfbrded by tne organisation 'of American railways' since the outbreak of war witli. Germany. Before the United States decided to enter the lists with the Allies there were 693 railroads under separate control. In one sweeping movement these lines were all brought under a continental system. Among some of the things accomplished by the Board of Management in the first four months of its existence have been the organising of special equipment for hospital and troop ship Service", aiid the standardisation b£ settlements between the Government and the railroads, eliminating a large volume of correspondence and red tape. Car

shortage has been reduced 70 per cent., and the freight transportation service increased by 16 per cent. Approxtmateiy 26,000,000 miles of train service a year has been saved by the elimination of all passenger trains not essential to the pressing needs of the country. Freight _diigestion at manjr important points been averted by promptly moving empty ears from one railrbad to another, irrespective of ownership. Through the pooling of lake coal and lake ore a saving of 52,000 cars in

moving these commodities has been achieved, and a further saving of 133,000 cars has been made possible by the pooling of tide-water coal. By regulating the movement of grain for export the number of cars ordinarily required for this service has been reduced, despite an abnormal export increase. In a word by bringing all the railroads under one control one car is being made to do the work of two.