92.  The    work    of    preparing    these    Statistics    has    been    very    much  Cost  of
systematised,  and  by  the  use  of  labour  saving  devices,  both  labour  and  cost

have  been  reduced  and  expedition  in  the  presentation  of  the  returns  secured.
Judged  merely  by  the  sum  spent,  the  cost  still  i*  large;  but  when  the
amount  is  compared  with  the  number  of  units  which  go  to  make  up  the
railway  and  its  business,  it  is  quite  insignificant.  But  by  whatever  standard
the  outlay  is  judged,  the  Results  are  considered  to  fully  justify  the  expendi-
ture. It  is  by  means  of  these  Statistics  that  the  American  Railways  have
been  able  to  reduce  expenses  generally  and  to  increase  the  load  in  their
vehicles  and  in  their  trains  and  consequently  to  reduce  the  cost  per  ton  mile,
and  it  is  to  no  small  extent  because  of  these  Statistics,  that  those  railways
which  have  adopted  the  most  elaborate  Statistics,  and  learnt  the  lessons
which  they  teach,  are  in  as  good  a  financial  position  as  they  are  to-day.
93.  Sufficient  emphasis  cannot,  however,  be  laid  on  the  three  other  factors
which  have  helped  to  make  the  Statistics  of  value,  namely, —

First,  the  organisation  of  American  Railways  which  divides  up  the  line

into  several  small  units  each  complete  in  itself,  with  all  responsibility

concentrated  in.  one  man,  thus   permitting  of  a  proper  check  being

exercised ;
Secondly,  the  system   (referred  to  in  paragraphs  38  et  sequitur)  whicb

judges  by  Results,  and  is   quick  to  recognise  the  labour,  intelligence

and  energy  which  produce  the  best  Results  ;  and.
Lastly,   the  publication  of    the  Statistics,    which  enables   the  capitalist

or  the  shareholder  to  measure  the  quality  of  the  management  and  to

take  the  steps  necessary  to  secure  efficiency.
preparing
Statistics.
D  4


33

Gauge.
Paras.  91—95.
CHAPTER  III.
GAUGE.
