The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1849-09-27

Previous to December 81, 1sis, Parliament had 81
thorized the opening Of 1885 miles Of railway arl
every of those has been executed.
In 1874, sos miles authorized, and Of these on
q miles remain to be executed. These results shcl
the healthy state Of railway speculation previous
1s45 and the power Of the share holders to fulfil tAs
obligations. A
In 1876, however, no fewer than 2700 miles were al
thorzed by Parliament; and of these at the prsssi
moment, 29s nearly half yet unsxssuted!
In ls4o, the mania at his height, and 53S nia
were sanctioned by the Legislature. or these, 4,ot
miles, or nearly s.9ths, are yet unexecutsd-
In 1s47, when the paroxysm ofspeculstion had begu
to subsde, 1854 miles Of railway were authorized
Parliament and 800 remain to be executed, Il I
companies having found the means only to compile
81 miles, or 1-25th of the whole.
In 1S48, only $50 miles were authorised, and not 4
single mile Of these has been executed.
IL is estimated that the railroad panies Of Gre
Britain have expended considerably more than f2OO
600 600 1.-TWO hundred million pounds stsriing) the
nual interest Of which, 1T Eve per cent amounts
fIoooo00o. supposiDg 80, 900 Of passengers wei,
carried 80 miles per annum by these companies, Il
cost would be nearly AKA per mile for passenger,
which it appears that passengers carried at
lower price than required to the single item
interest alone.
the year ending June 80, 1885,
BRIrrsH RArLRoADs-REcEIrrs AND EXPENDITURE.
Total receipts for passengers, parcels,
goods, SC. as returned by Commits
siobers Of Railroads. E9933yM
Working expenses estimated BY railroad
authorities at 90 per cent. ........ 4ooo,77
Ne. earnings Jun. so, 1913. ....... E4So0,77
interest. ........ flo0o0,o
Deficiency, June so, 1913. ......". fso3a,X
1t is estimated that about half Of tho capital IL
vested in railroads in Great Britain has been sunk
and that the actual vslse Of the railroad property c
the United Kingdom Is only about fl0O, 900 DOC
1t is pretty certain that the net earnings pa
only about per cent interest that sam, with
out making any allowance for the replacement Of ospi
tai 1t is opinion that this lisa very fsvorab
view Of the railroad traffic in Great Britain. The work
ing expenses OF railroads will average than Aft
per cent, which would increase the deficiency muel
beyond that shown by dedueting only one half Of tn
sross earnings for remaining expenditures 1t is
Of the most difficult things in the world to get at tru
and correct account Of railroad operations in thi
country in England and the adoption Of such mes
sures by our Legislatures and by parliament woulS
guaranty to the public full and faithful report Of thu
position and condition Of each company, would be o
immense value and Importance movement has beer
made to this effect In England, and We trust that ou
legislators will agtats the question the ensuing winter
For the consolation Of those who have been the org
nal subscribers to most Of railroad companies vi
extract from the article alluded t, above
II will be any sevistien of their misery to sonsds
themselves martyrs in the cause they certainly
titled to all that DO derived from Il -
"Tbe original promoters Of the railway system tn
men Of sspguns temperament and enlarged views, VIII
boldly rsked their all In its establishment, and VII
have been compelled to dispose Of their shares at
great loss, are like soldiers who have fallen in the de
fence their country They have dischargeda grsa
duty to the community. and its applause posthumsu
or contemporary IL nov their only reward"
stock ExchauRe.