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

the charts seen in Fig. 224, Fig. 225, Fig. 226, and Fig. 227. Fig. 223 is, however, misleading because the vertical scale does not extend to zero and the chart gives the impression of a much larger percentage difference between net earnings and dividends than really

GRAPHIC METHODS

existed. Omitting the bottom of the chart makes the dividends appear a smaller percentage of net earnings than they really were. Fig. 223 could have been considerably improved, also, if the line showing net earnings were made much heavier than it is seen in the illustration.

Year

FEB CENT OF (NCneASE OVER 18BS

J 4 1 U 1 LJ 1 L L 1 1 -IT

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