HEAVY TRAFFIC MAIL ROUTES.
On very many of the heavy traffic routes where the principal reduction in pay occurred a large part of the mail is now handled in special mail trains run at excessively high rates of speed. Such trains introduce the following conditions:
1. A very much greater liability to accident. A large proportion of the deplorable accidents that have occurred on the American railroads in recent years have occurred to excessively high speed trains, accidents to such trains being almost invariably destructive to life and property. An examination of serious accidents on the Union Pacific System and Southern Pacific Company for the calendar year 1906 shows that 36 per cent. of the property damage from all causes, including negligence, as traceable to trains not under control and excessive speed, whilst 30 per cent. additional damage was due to causes that might prevent inferior trains getting out of their way, such as keeping main line on time of superior trains, failure to observe signals or orders, etc.
2. Mail trains run at excessive high speed are much more expensive to operate than other trains, for the following reasons:
(a) Fuel consumption per traffic unit is very much greater at high speed because of diminished tractive power of locomotives.
(b) A relative greater hauling capacity of locomotives must be consumed in moving trains at higher speeds.
(c) Excessive speed requires higher standards of track maintenance, double-tracking, block signals, heavy rail, better ballasted roadbed, etc., etc.
(d) High speed means increased wear and tear on equipment and track.
(e) High speed trains are expensive, delaying and adding to the cost of other traffic.
3. Speed of trains carrying mails has been constantly increased, a study made of the speed per hour made on fastest trains on which R. P. O. cars are handled on seventeen of the principal mail routes giving the following results: