New-York daily tribune. [volume] (New-York [N.Y.]) 1842-1866, 1855-01-24
RAILROADS IN NETWORK.

We have the Annual Report of the State Engineer
on the Railroads of New-York, submitted TO the Le
gslaure yesterday lie speaks first OF the great in
pcrtance OF the Railways which row do most OF the
passenger and mail transit; the immense amount of
investment controlled by the corporations, and the
uroprety Of investigating the errors Of past and i'm
proving future management. long space is de-
voted to an explanation of the manner in which ac-
counts are kept and reports made to The State author
tiles sugg,s sting Improvements therein ou' these
matters are Of little public interest. The particular
int r. sts which call for the protection of the Govern
ment are:
Fnst. That the public at large, in the safe con-
sIUeen and o. ana Saa n use %
tray ell end trade; and,
Second: Thet of the stock and bondholders, in the
faithful application Of their investments aud the man.
Much injury hes been caused 10 both Of these in
eress by the defective construction and premature
opening Of many of railroads. The most serious
accidents involving she destruction OF both life a1d
property have been csused by opening them for pub
lie travel before they have been fully completed, or
when they have been imperlecty buut. The public
have no uears of ascertsinipg the condition OF these
works, and are compelled 10 leopard their lives AMI
properly upon them without any assurance that their
eAety has been ded for By structures aud
vehicles sufficient rules and prec autions, and juel-
cious ard experienced managers and employees. Be
fore road Il used Dy the pubc, II SuoNll ne SUI
ieced in all its parts, TO the careful examination OF
some re, ponsible public officer who should alsc deter
mine whether proper provisions and regulations had
been established to prevent accidents
Under the second head the same powers Of super
vision and examination by public officers should oe
given as those which are now extended over other
corporsions and authority TO compsl the puolca-
ton of full and authentic statements OF their cond'
ton AID operations. e. =,
NAV be chiefly attributed to the diminlshed rates OF
fares and the increa,e ed expenditure Tor operaihS
apo enlargipg the works The charges Tor transport
alton have been reduced 10 the present low rates
from n mistaken opinion that Il was necessary 10
show 10 the public large receipts-io accomplish
which II was necessary 10 enter into competition
with rival roads and the water lines which as car
red TO luxurious extent IN consequence OF Tue III
lacous statements OF the expenses OF transportation
which the published reports exhibited These re-
ports by exsgeeratng the net profits OF the business
have prevented the managers, even when they as
covered the error from increasing their charges 20
conptusang rates, by the tear oil puOhc oplhiOn anu
legislative interference.
The alleged necessity for showing large receipts
still exists and the attempt 10 MAINTAIN the business
diverted from rival roads being abandoned, cpmpe-
tton with the water lines ia commenced Tor tue trans
nc,taton of the hoGvy AID cheap articles OF freight
which can only be maintained by rates nearly or quite
ss low M those charged upon the lakes rivers. and
canals md too low ss will presently be SHOWN 10
Give a fair remuneration Ia the railroad.
II the cort Of railroad transportation could De de-
termined with tolorable accuracy, by some di'nter-
siod and oAcill authority, II would be great step
taken TOW ard the correction OF some o. the most ser
Gus evils 10 which Rllusion has been made.
The iopb.,ry Of the argument That y - ever the
true interest of the stockholders TO incresse receipts
hy carrying any portion of the business nm ier cost y
too papsble to merit discussion. The public VIII al
ways look with distrust upon tho management when
n aininina 40 failarinus n doctrine.
Sufiiccu, information has been ELECTED tron we
rarosos Of this and other States from the acton oi
Conventions and frum,othrr sources of Information,
10 warrant tho belief that = considerable portion 81
the freFhtipg business done by our railroads
yields prohi 81 he present rates when duo aoA-
ance IL made for tho increase OF capital whlch u ~
ounce for tho increased wear and deprnc alton 80
works and for the occupation of the track TO the III
Jury Of the other business.
The reports Of the present year show az Increased
expense IN operating the rosds over IN" OF the Pe
csdiug yenr An examination of tn" reports ot
number of railroads in New England AMI elsewhere
shows for The last Eve years. an annual increase w
their cost Of from two to five per cent per ann"ui'
an increase IN their receipts of from twelve TO t"enV
per osnt and an increase In their expenses OF uon
twenty 10 forty per cent per snnnm.
The increased expense Of Railroad transportation
is owing. in part 70 the advancing rates 81 labor anu
materials the increased rate Of speed, the h'sn rates
of interss, paid 10 carry the large h'shng uen :.
which modern railway fnsnciers have intr"ouoe'
q part 81 their system. and finally, 70 me esus,s
gent management which has Erown sp among u's
general ebsrsetsris.cs Of the tee incressea oy .e
apparently highly prosperous condeon :" We - :.
rosds. the facility for bouVvips money "s nsSs~'I