Efficient Freight Movement

The freight movement this Fall has been the heaviest in the history of the country. For 16 consecutive weeks car loadings have exceeded 1,000,000 cars, yet since last June there has been a surplus of cars in good condition averaging over 50,000 cars.

This unexpectedly successful handling of unprecedented freight has been possible owing to new purchases of equipment, and more adequate repair work. On Jan. 1, 24.1% of total locomotives awaited repairs, while on Oct. 1 this had been reduced to 15.3%. Similarly 9.5% of freight cars awaited repairs on Jan. 1, compared with 6.7% on Oct. 1. During the same nine months 134,636 new freight cars and 2,963 new locomotives; on Oct. 1, 64,601 new freight cars and 1,242 new locomotives were still on order.

Early in the year, the railroads promised to spend $1,100,000,000 in new equipment and necessary improvements during 1923. They seem to be carrying out their pledge to the last cent.

The railroads are severely held to task when a period of heavy traffic causes car shortage and delays in shipments, but get little praise when it is efficiently handled.