Semaphore - April 1959

Johnston Praises The Railroads

South Carolinian underscores importance of the industry

taxes which help the States build and maintain our schools and other important projects. All of this makes America a better place in which to live. Some of the railroads' tax momey even finds its way into the construction of highways, waterways, airways, and airports. This is a remarkable benefit to competing carriers . . .

War-time flexibility "The ability to expand capacity rapidly is another feature which is characteristic of the railroads. During World War II, for example, using their same basic plant, the railroads doubled their freight traffic load over previous years, and carried more than four time as many passengers.

"So here we have a very efficient type of transportation—one which can expand tremendously, one whose capacity is huge, and one that feeds the economy of the country with a $5 billion annual payroll . . .

One might well ask at this point: Why, with all their virtues and capabilities, are the railroads in such serious trouble today? The answer is fairly simple—grossly discriminatory governmental policies and practices . . .

Strong railroads needed "The financial illness of the railroads did not spring up overnight. It is in the form of creeping paralysis which has been coming on for years. If we do not begin immediately to try to cure it, the defense of America will be in serious jeopardy . . .

"This country of ours must have a healthy and prepared railroad industry that will have the capacity to exceed even the great job it did in World War II, APRIL

[black and white photograph: Senator Olin D. Johnston]

when our railroads hauled 90 per cent of all domestic military freight and 97 per cent of all organized troop movements . . .

"I ask, if and when transportation legislation comes before the Congress, that all of us consider such legislation in the light of the railroads' far-reaching essentially and great importance to the economy of our country. Our railroads are indispensable. America cannot afford to let this vital industry wither on the vine.

If I were asked to what industry America owes more than to any other for its expansion and development, I would in all candor be bound to say that our debt is to the railroad industry. Consequently, we owe to it, the past, and to our future, that we preserve this great industry— so vital and so needed for further peace and prosperity—and so indispensable for us, in case of a national emergency." 11

CHANGE AND CHALLENGE BY DANIEL P. LOOMIS President Association of American Railroads

RECENT years—and certainly recent months—have seen a wonderful new spirit taking hold in railroading. Streamlined thinking is spearheading the way for streamlined operations. Railroads are stripping down for action. We are cutting out the deadwood of losing and unpatronized services and concentrating effort and resources in areas of greatest promise. Many traditional practices may have to go by the board in the process. A lot of sacred cows may have to be put out to pasture.

But there is no alternative.

Only through further drastic changes in operating methods and services can the greatest good result for all the nation. Only through drastic changes can we keep from being ground into extinction under the heels of government policies that subsidize and expand air, water and highway transportation with apparent wanton disregard of the effects on railraods and the millions of people who work on, ship by, travel on, sell to and depend on railroads.

Perhaps there are grounds for hope that constructive public action may yet come on these basic governmental inequities. The people are with us. We need no further proof of this than last year's demonstration of popular demand for action by Washington, which led to passage of the Transportation Act of 1958 and repeal of the 3 per cent excise tax on freight shipments. What we have witnessed in editorial support from newspapers throughout America and in the thousands of letters people wrote their Congressmen last year, is a clear signal of change in the decades-old attitude of the public toward railroad problems. I am convinced the American people are far ahead of their legislatures in seeing that the railroads long ago ceased to hold a transportation monopoly, that they are unfairly and senselessly victimized by government policies favoring their competitors, and that changes to put all carriers on an equal competitive footing are imperative. I say, the public be praised!

Beechwood Bridge Nears Completion

Substantial progress is now being made on the new steel and concrete bridge which will carry the P & N's main line over a creek near the Beechwood Acres housing development west of Charlotte. The bridge will replace a culvert in that area which heretofore provided 12

a drainage opening for a small stream.

To permit construction of the bridge at the proper location, a 500-foot detour track has been in use since the work was begun in February. This track is located alongside the bridge and, of course, will be removed when the bridge is completed

SEMAPHORE

[Image of track work] DETOUR TRACK AROUND THE BRIDGE SERVES TEMPORARILY AS SPAN NEARS COMPLETION

within the near future.

The new bridge is 79 feet long and consists of steel beans on reinforced concrete foundations. When it has been completed the fill underneath the bridge will be excavated and the old culvert removed. Crowder Construction Company of Charlotte is the project contractor.

A descision to build the bridge rather than a larger culvert was reached after extensive engineering studies of the drainage problems in the area.

LOSS & DAMAGE IS LESS

If there is any good news at any time about loss and damage payments, it's when they show a decrease. And this they did in 1958 -- with an estimated 7 per cent reduction or approximately $8.8 million under the total reported by the railroads for the year 1957.

From any angle, $8.8 million is a heap of money -- but what is even more important in this instance is the reduction in waste that it represents. And somewhere along the line more customers were much more satisfied because their freight and merchindise arrived the "perfect shipping" way.

Much if not most of the credit for the improvement must go to the determined

April

and inspiring teamwork of shippers, carriers and receivers in the all-out war against loss and damage. This cooperation and the spirit behind it give strength to the expectations of continued improvement.

A great deal depends as always, however, upon the individual -- upon the way he feels about his job and the service he is helping to produce, the way he works, and what he does to protect the business and good will so vital to his own livelihood. The heartening reduction of close to $9 million in loss and damage payments, 1958 compared with 1957, still left a total of approximately $114 million paid out by the railroads for this reason last year. Remembering that "perfect shipping," as an individual effort or an industry campaign, is of year-round importance -- something that is good for the good of all, any day of any month in any year -- is a firm step in the right direction.

[Cartoon with speech bubble] Make careful switching a habit!

13

Along the Line NEWS ABOUT THE FOLKS WHO KEEP THE TRAINS ROLLING

S. C. DIVISION [photograph of young man]

Todd Wilson, above, son of Rate Clerk and Mrs. G. C. Wilson, is an outstanding student at Parker High School, Greenville. He is the newly-elected Vice-President of the student body for 1959-60, a member of the French Club, the Beta Club, Debating Team and speaker of the House. He plays quarterback on the football team and played on the basketball team that recently won the AAA championship for the State of S. C. On top of that now that Spring is here he is on the baseball team.

Mr. and Mrs. W. Donald Duncan announce the birth of a daughter, Terri Lynn, on April 2 at St. Francis Hospital, Greenville. Mr. Duncan is a steno-clerk in the Greenville agency.

GENERAL OFFICE

Wayne Thomas of the traffic department celebrated a birthday on April 6.

Jack Williamson, mail clerk, and wife spent Easter weekend in Washington, D. C. and reported a fine time.

Wilma Lemonds has resigned her position in the accounting department and has been replaced by Mrs. Doris J. Laney of Ft. Mill, S. C. Mrs. Laney was formerly employed by the YMCA in Charlotte.

Norman Parker of the accounting department has resigned to accept another job in Winston-Salem, N. C.

J. D. Cannon has transferred from the purchasing department to the accounting department as accountant.

General Manager W. L. Hogan continues to make a good recovery from his recent illness. His associates are hoping that he will be able to return to the active list at an early date.

George S. Egbert was married on April 2 in Montclair, New Jersey, to Miss Marjorie C. Carney. The Egberts will make their home at 85 Franklin Street, Verona, New Jersey. Mr. Egbert is District Freight Agent in the New York office.

Mrs. Barbara F. Tarkenton has recently joined the New York office as secretary to General Eastern Agent George A. Holzberger.

N. C. DIVISION

J. S. Nesbit, clerk in Charlotte freight office, vacationed a week during April at home working in his yard.

Mrs. James Hooks, wife of Brakeman Hooks, was confined to Charlotte's Presbyterian Hospital for several weeks for rest and treatment.

SEMAPHORE

[photograph of a baby] Robert Thomas Ballard, above, son of Mr. and Mrs. W. M. Ballard, was five months old when this picture was made. Bobby, who will be a year old in June, has fully recovered from two serious brain operations earlier this year. Mr. Ballard is a clerk at the Charlotte yard office.

[photograph of a little boy] Charles A. Howard, above, seven-yearold son of A. A. Howard, carman at the Pinoca shops, is looking forward to summer vacation when school will be out and APRIL

he can enjoy his favorite sport of swimming.

Mr. and Mrs. J. B. Bigham of Mint Hill visited friends in Asheville during a recent weekend. Mr. Bigham is a clerk in the Charlotte agency.

Paul Vandiver, a student at Mars Hill College, spent the Easter holidays with his parents, DFA and Mrs. D. T. Vandiver.

Brakeman C. E. Bolinger is improving after undergoing surgery at Charlotte Memorial Hospital in April.

J. C. Gillis, retired clerk, is at home on Rocky River Church Road after a brief stay at the Mercy Hospital.

Brakeman Paul Carter was off from work for several weeks in April due to an illness.

Mr. and Mrs. Lewis Calvert Jr. of Greensboro and Miss Nancy Calvert of Falls Church, Va., spent the Easter weekend in Mt. Holly visiting their parents, Agent and Mrs. Lewis Calvert.

[photograph of a little boy holding a dog] Steve Sherard, above, son of Max Sherard, car inspector at Pinoca, was eight years old on April 17.

R. A. Williams, machinist at the Pinoca shops, has returned to work after a brief illness. He was hospitalized 6 days at Mercy Hospital, Charlotte, and convalesced 4 days at home. 15