The indiscriminate mixture of so many different kinds of bars in one chart makes a complex diagram to interpret, and it is probable that the chart would at least be no more difficult to apprehend if made entirely in the form of curves instead of bars. Though it is true that curves are not understood by some people who can readily grasp the bar method of presentation, there is no use in keeping to the bar method if the bar presentation is made as complex as a chart involving curves.

Fig. 223 was not printed in a corporation annual report, but it is included here because it may show some possibility for the inclusion of curves in financial reports to give the stockholder more complete information than he would otherwise receive. The data of Fig. 223 are of interest when considered along with

■ I M II I niiiiii

Ililiiil'iyiJi":"!

Fig. 221. Freight Service and Traffic on the Union Pacific Railroad and Auxiliary Companies

This chart shows by years the per cent of increase over the year ended June 30, 1898, in the gross revenue from the transportation of commercial freiglit, the number of tons of commercial freight carried one mile, and the number of miles run by cars and locomotives in freighttrain service. Locomotive miles include revenue freight-train miles, all mixed-train miles, and helpingtrain miles

The illustration is reduced from the 1912 annual report to stocldiolders. The backward arrangement of years from right to left causes the first impression that all quantities are growing less instead of greater. Four subjects shown combined in one chart in this manner are confusing. Either four distinct groups of bars or four curves would be superior to the method used here