Evening Republican, Volume 16, Number 303, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 21 December 1912 — KEEPS TRACK OF ITS CARS [ARTICLE]

KEEPS TRACK OF ITS CARS

Every Railroad Employs Experts Who Look After This Business, Which Is Their Bole Occupation. In the course of a year many millions of dollars change hands in the settlement of railroad mileage accounts, and in no commercial operation is the same confidence displayed in handling such a vast amount of money. No 'opportunity whatever is given the different roads to go back of the signatures of the respective officers for an examination of the mileage as certified by them, and while this may be taken advantage of In some few instances, it is the exception and not the rule, and is only resorted to by roads on the edge of bankruptcy. A railroad must give foreign cars while on its line the same care as to oiling and packing that is given to its own. If a foreign car is damaged through a wreck or by careless handling, it must be repaired and put In perfect order before it is delivered to its owner. In order to prevent “badorder” foreign cars from coming on to a road, inspectors are stationed at all interchange points, whose duty it is to carefully examine every car offered and see that it is in perfect running order. If there are some small defects about the car which do not materially affect Its running, as a broken door or a cracked oil box cover, the car is accepted, but a defect card is tacked on each side of the car, it is accepted with such minor defects as may be enumerated. Freight cars rarely get lost or stolen. Connected With the car department of every road are several “lost car” agents, whose duty it is to look up delayed or lost cr.rs. Every month a list is furnished these men by the car accountant, giving the number of cars then on foreign roads which for some cause are being delayed. It is the duty of these agents to find out where the cars are and send them home.