arranged horizontally with the earlier year at the bottom, while in Fig. 221 the bars are arranged vertically with the earlier year at the right. In both of these charts the arrangement for successive years is incorrect, for the charts give the impression that all quantities portrayed are becoming less instead of greater as years go on. 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.
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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 freight, the number of
tons of commercial freight carried one mile, and the
number of miles run by cars and locomotives in freight-train
service. Locomotive miles include revenue
freight-train miles, all mixed-train miles, and helping-train
miles
The illustration is reduced from the 1912 annual report to stockholders. 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
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 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
