The Big Year

The railway men of the country met in New York to deal with the transportation problems of the next twelve months. They began by laying down as a premise that the roads will probably be required to handle a larger volume of traffic than ever before in history.

The manner of handling this increased traffic was considered in several sessions of the American Railway Association and the Association of Railway Executives. They drew up a program for the coming year. Its chief points are:

To ignore political attacks, and devote their energies to improving the facilities of transportation. In this connection, the Association declared itself in favor of a continuation under the Esch-Cummins Transportation Act of 1920. This means that, by and large, the roads are content with present railroad legislation--so much attacked in political quarters.

To improve the service by adding more equipment. Already various roads have authorized the expenditure of $515,000,000 for new cars, $160,000,000 for new locomotives, $425,000,000 for trackage--probably a new high record for one year's expenditure.

To ease the burden at the usual peak of traffic in the Fall by putting all equipment repairs on a normal basis before Oct. 1.

To store their own coal before that time.

To urge shippers of coal and ore to make large shipments by water, early in the season while it is practical.

To impress shippers with the necessity of loading cars to maximum capacity--an average of 30 tons a car.

To try to increase the mileage of freight cars to an average of 30 miles a day--if necessary by the use of embargoes to prevent congestion.

A notable feature which is missing from this program is any plan for car pooling which had been suggested as a "solution " of the railway problem.