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of similar experiments which are now being made by other companies, with the so-called 'copper zone' system and with other systems of charging."

Until recently the general public has had no definite conception of the electric railway problem. The willingness and even eagerness of promoters in the earlier days to accept franchises with 5c fares and universal transfers under widely varying conditions, suggested the probability of reasonable return under least favorable circumstances and the possibility of very liberal profits under most favorable conditions. The sacrifices presently made for future possibilities, often long deferred, the demands for more transfers, more frequent and better service, the heavy paving burdens and increasing taxes, were largely a closed book to the public. Recent disclosures of the real financial condition of the average electric railway have astonished many open-minded citizens. The present policy of free and wide discussion of railway matters and the fairness with which they have been considered is one of the hopeful signs of the day in the railway industry.

The "nickel-penny" fare is not, however, the full solution of the electric railway problems. The "copper-zone" scheme is a useful and attractive auxiliary but of limited applicability. The Massachusetts Public Service Commission has had unequaled opportunity for a considerable number of years to study the effect of fare increases and has taken occasion in some of its decisions to warn against too optimistic views of the revenue increases resulting therefrom. This thought is embodied in one of the above extracts from its opinions. The commission's records show that an increase in fare is almost without exception attended by a decrease in patronage. In some cases there has been a decrease in revenue although not necessarily a decrease in profit. This commission has in various cases recommended the use of tickets at slightly reduced rates so that regular patronage would be sustained, leaving to the occasional rider the greater proportion of the burden of necessary increased

revenue.

Unexhausted Operating Economies

In their studies of increased revenue possibilities the railways should not be unmindful of other sources of net gain which will bear less heavily upon their patrons. Among them is skipstop operation, long practiced in some cities, widely advertised

in Cleveland, and since increasingly adopted in other large cities, including Detroit, Buffalo, Baltimore and Toledo.

The latest and most promising instrument of internal economy is the light-weight car with one operator. The inroads of private automobiles and jitneys have brought into ever sharper contrast the heavy, crowded, frequent-stopping standard street car which experience of the past had indicated as most useful. The light-weight car, with its fewer passengers and stops, rapid acceleration, low power consumption and maintenance, more frequent service and the ease and perfect safety with which one operator can handle it, has made a decided hit wherever it has been tried. The present demand for it is so great that manufacturers are unable to complete stock orders of hundreds of a standardized design before they are sold to railways throughout the country which are eager to secure the economies arising from their operation. There are undoubted limits to their use for heavy and congested service but these limits have not yet been experimentally fixed.

It is of real significance that the electric railway has developed this instrument of pronounced economy in man-power as well as physical requirements at a time when the world's resources are being taxed to such an unprecedented extent. Public service cannot be curtailed for war economy. On the contrary, many cases are arising in which it must be largely expanded to meet direct or indirect war requirements. European countries have granted general exemptions from military service to public service employees. This country now has the opportunity of showing that its railways can offer their full share of men and service in the cause of world-wide liberty and still continue to render adequate and efficient service to their patrons.

BUSINESS CONDITIONS

IN STONE & WEBSTER LOCALITIES

The managers of the companies operated by Stone & Webster write to the Management Division of Stone & Webster about the first of each month with reference to business conditions in their respective localities during the preceding month. A digest of these letters is published each month in the Stone & Webster Journal.

Amsterdam, N. Y., Sept. 14th:

Bank clearings for August, 1917, were $2,102,932, against $1,754,407 last year.

During August, 1917, 6 building permits were issued, valued at $55,100.

Post office receipts for August, 1917, were $5,640, against $6,546 last year.

Business conditions are not improving. High prices, uncertainty, and a stiffening money market are said to be the cause. About 90 per cent of the manufacturer's products in this city consist of carpets and underwear, divided nearly equally in the number of help employed. Carpets are not active. The output of underwear, gloves and paper, however, continues to be heavy.

Retail trade has been dull the past month.

The weather has been ideal for farm crops and a great improvement in corn has given hopes of a good crop.

Ballston Spa, N. Y., Sept. 14th:

year.

year.

Bank clearings for August, 1917, were $575,283, against $468,297 last

Post office receipts for August, 1917, were $1,168, against $1,127 last

There is still a marked inactivity in the building trade in Ballston, but all industries are working at capacity and promise continued prosperity.

Beaumont, Texas, September 11th:

Bank clearings for August, 1917, were $4,608,390, against $3,179,185 last year.

During August, 1917, 72 building permits were issued, valued at $72,085, against 77 last year, valued at $102,058.

Post office receipts for August, 1917, were $9,346, against $8,628

last year.

It is reported that exports to foreign countries through the port of Beaumont for the year ending June 30, 1917, amounted to $6,600,000, of which $5,200,000 was credited to oil, the balance being timber.

General business conditions in Beaumont are exceptionally good.

It is reported that some of the saw mills are to cut timber for approximately 200 wooden ships. Undoubtedly Beaumont mills will get a good share.

Port Arthur has been made one of the southern ports from which foodstuffs will be shipped to the Allies in Europe. Most of this material for shipment will have to pass through Beaumont by rail.

Due to the extremely dry weather and the salt water which consequently backed into the rice canals, it is estimated that the rice crop will be 50 per cent below normal. Other crops have also suffered heavily.

Beaumont is assured of a permanent site of the South Texas State Fair and also a library owing to a bond election held on August 7th. The fair grounds which will also be used as a public park are within two blocks of Calder Avenue car line.

Canastota, N. Y., Sept. 14th:

year.

year.

Bank clearings for August, 1917, were $84,081, against $110,521 last

Post office receipts for August, 1917, were $1,460, against $1,108 last

Columbus, Ga., September 19th:

Bank clearings for August, 1917, were $2,251,375, against $1,659,375 last year.

During August, 1917, 7 building permits were issued, valued at $11,800, against 6 last year, valued at $9,000.

year.

Post office receipts for August, 1917, were $6,974, against $7,276 last

The cotton mills are running full time, but labor conditions do not allow much overtime running, and new orders are slow owing to the fact that the products of all mills are sold ahead for a minimum of two months and the fact that the cotton market continues weak.

Retail merchants report that business is picking up in a very satisfactory manner.

Cotton is moving in large quantities, although no large amount has been sold in this locality.

Both the railway and light and power receipts of the Columbus Railroad Company for August, 1917, show increases over 1916.

The receipts of The Columbus Power Company for August, 1917, show an increase of about 32% over 1916.

Dallas City, Ill., September 15th:

Bank clearings for August, 1917, were $404,371, against $340,129 last year.

Post office receipts for August, 1917, were $266, against $283 last year. There has been practically no change in general business conditions in the last month.

The crops already harvested proved very profitable and the corn crop yet to come should be the best ever harvested in this section, barring frosts.

Dallas, Texas, September 11th:

Building permits for August, 1917, were valued at $145,159, against $310,499 last year.

Post office receipts for August, 1917, were $114,481, against $94,739 last year, an increase of 20 per cent over last year.

This is the greatest increase shown in many years.

The real estate market continues dull, but the real estate agents have inaugurated what they term "Buy-A-Home" movement and have planned an extensive advertising campaign.

There has been little, if any, change in general business conditions in the last month. Cotton picking began about ten days ago and the staple is selling at this time around 21 and 22 cents, while seed is selling from 65 to 70 dollars per ton. Dallas merchants report satisfactory business.

The Government has definitely decided to locate one of its aviation schools and repair plants at Dallas. The site selected is about four miles north of the city. The cost of buildings and improvements is estimated at approximately $1,000,000. It is estimated that something like 1,000 men will be located at this camp.

The cotton crop is unusually good in North Central and East Texas, but crops in South and West Texas are a failure. Recent rains have put a good season in the ground for fall planting.

Both our lighting and railway receipts for August, 1917, show increase over the previous year.

Everett, Wash., September 17th:

During August, 1917, 9 building permits were issued, valued at $1,845, against 45 last year, valued at $13,657.

year.

Post office receipts for August, 1917, were $5,614, against $6,187 last

The car condition is very good. The railroads report that there are a large number of cars on the coast at the present time, due to the mills being shut down. Practically all carload movements are for cantonments and shingles, although it is expected that the salmon will begin to move immediately.

Fall River, Mass., September 6th:

Bank clearings for August, 1917, were $7,293,805, against $6,280,611 last year.

year.

During August, 1917, 29 building permits were issued, against 52 last

Post office receipts for August, 1917, were $13,044, against $13,593 last year.

Cotton cloth sales have continued light throughout the month, but the mills have plenty of work on old contracts, and indications are for continued good business for the next few months.

Fort Madison, Iowa, September 10th:

year.

Bank clearings for August, 1917, were $1,191,755.

Post office receipts for August, 1917, were $2,024, against $1,935 last

General business conditions in Fort Madison continue very good. The industries are working at full capacity with no indication of any decrease in orders.

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