The Electrification of American Railroads

The most important problems confronting railway officials at the present time are the reduction of the costs of operation and the increase in the efficiency of the service.No undertaking is too vast and no expenditure too great if it can be shown that the results secured will increase the profits of the system.On every hand grades are being reduced, curves and grade crossings eliminated and cut-offs constructed in order that the cost of operation may be decreased.The methods by which traffic may be increased and the cost of its movement diminished are being carefully studied by rail- road managers.Under such conditions it is little to be wondered at that the possibilities of using electric power upon our railroads should receive careful attention.