PIFTH NATIONAL CONSERVATION CONGRESS 339 



with due regard to the amount of timber that is tributary to them and the length 

 of time required to get it out. The tendency is to increase the efficiency of these 

 main Hues so they can be used for long hauls and heavy loads with a fair rate 

 of speed. The logging spurs are laid out in cooperation with the logging fore- 

 men so as to fit in with their scheme of operation. They should be as cheaply 

 constructed as possible and may be operated over much steeper grades and much 

 sharper curves. The custom is to have heavy direct connected locomotives for 

 the main-line work, and lighter-geared engines for the switching work. Grades 

 up to 12 per cent and curves of 36 degrees are not uncommon. 



The construction is carried on both by day labor and by contract. Contracts 

 are generally let by the station (of 100') for light grading and clearing. The 

 heavier work is done with scrapers, steam shovels, or by hand at classification 

 rates. Where possible, the railroad is kept about one year ahead of the logging. 

 This allows the grades to settle during the wet season and gives the opportunity 

 for an immediate increase in output should the market demand it. The loco- 

 motive crane is proving a very useful piece of machinery in some of the larger 

 camps. It may be used as a steamshovel, a pile driver, a scraper, to move heavy 

 machinery, act as a wrecker, pick up logs from the right-of-way, handle lumber, 

 load ballast, clean slides from the track, and do dredging at booms and log dumps. 

 Is also a good machine to lay and take up track with. 



Most of the track work is done by hand, however. The track must be well 

 ballasted, if ballast is obtainable at anything like a reasonable figure. The high 

 first cost of ballasting is usually overcome by the decreased cost of up-keep. The 

 company which owns its own gravel pit is indeed fortunate. 



The days of light steel are past in this section. The most common size is 

 from 56 pounds to 60 pounds to the yard. 



The importance of keeping the track in good line and surface can not be 

 over-estimated. The ditches should be kept clean, and the track cannot be too 

 well drained in this country. It is really cheaper to keep the track up in shape 

 than to let it run down and then have extensive repairs to make. 



The Baldwin direct connected type of logging engine is used quite exten- 

 sively for main-line hauls. The Shay, the Climax, and the Heisler all have their 

 advocates and have all given good service in this section. The use of oil for fuel 

 is becoming more general and has proved as cheap in the long run as wood or 

 coal. Besides this, when you eliminate the danger of setting fire from your loco- 

 motive you have gotten rid of about 50 per cent of the fire risk, as the other 

 sources of fire can be more easily controlled. 



In taking up the methods of accounting, we have reached the crux of the 

 whole efficiency question. The superintendent must know the cost of each step 

 in his operation in order to be able to tell where he may better his methods, or 

 where the men are failing to do their part in keeping the expense of operation at 

 the proper figure. The attached forms and descriptions are, perhaps, the best 

 now in use for this type of logging and are self-explanatory. 



Some companies charge no depreciation for equipment ; others regulate their 

 <:l'iarges according to the length of their operation, figuring the value at the end 



