The Cass County Republican. [volume] (Dowagiac, Mich.) 18??-1880, 1859-10-20
Michigad Central Railroad--Economy In
Railroad Management.
From the Buffalo Caurier.

We oI0 luuSOtcu W lSnaIiSS II.
Noble, ESQ.,, the popular agent of the
Michigan Central Railroad Company
at this city, for a copy of the Annual
Report of the Company for the year
ending May 81, 1859. The report of
the Superintendent, r. N. Rice, ESQ.,,
who is one of the most thorough and
capable railroad managers in the coun-
try, presents some facts which are of
interest, as marking the commence
'ment, of the era of economy in opera
ting railroads in this country. ilGs
The gross earning of this road which
extends from Detroit to Chicago, a
distance of two hundred and eighty
four miles, for the current year, were
$l,s3s, l20,67, falling off from the
previous years earnings of $500, 627.-
IS. The diminution of, receipts was
owing to the general prostration of
business and the failure of the last
seasons crops The reduction in the
expense of operating the road, howev-,
er, more than counterbalances the fall
ing off in receipts. For the fiscal
year ending May, 1859, the operating
expenses were 81, s3,722, 3e; for the
year ending May, 1853, they were
only $1,O72, 1898. For the current
year the cost of operating, taking ont
the State taxes, was fifty-three per
cent, of the gross earnings. Indeed
in this item are several large expendi-
lures, among which are the rebuilding
of pile bridge at Detroit, 76S feet in
length, the rebuilding of sixteen other
bridges of the aggregate length of
2,14S feet, ten arched stone culverts to
take the place of wooden ones, re-roll.
ing 1000 tons of rails, 5000 new chairs,
&c. AS the Company keep no con-
struction account, these expences are
charged to the operating account.
The cost Of repairs upon buildings
has been reduced twenty per cent, in
comparison with the previous year; of
repairs Of locomotives over fifty-fve
per cent, of repairs of cars over thir-
ty-seven per cent, and that of Loco
motive, train, station and telegraph
service, about thirty per cent. The eff
fort of the Superintendent has been to
reduce expenses to the most economi-
cal standard and consistent with the
interests of the Company; and the
above statement shows how much can
be saved by prudent management.
The time has come when railroad Off
GERS must irregulate system of econo-
N.Y. or see the value of their stock
constantly depreciating, until it be-
comes utterly worthless.
The tables attached to the Suprein-
tendent's report disclose some inter
esting facts. The whole number of
passengers conveyed on the road for
the current year was 361, 1927, about
100000 less than for the year previous.
The amount received for the transpor-
tation of wheat and flour was $780,
539.91, against 1921, 1888 in 1885,
showing falling off in this item alone
Of over $ll2, 900. The total number
Of tons of freight moved during the
year was 235, 1928, against 276, 294 in
1853, and 5000 in 1857. The mum
Der Of miles run by locomotives dur
ing the year was ], 187, $40, of which
,769 were run by passenger trains,
ffO,oo1 Wy lItlSuG tIdiiS, anu lOi ,o1 q
by lumber, wood and working trains.
The number of locomotives in use on
the road is ninety-eight. The COM
pany have shop in which their loco
motives are built and their repairs
done. We were informed by Mr..
Rice, on the occasion of recent visit
to the Machine and Car Shops at De-
troit, that this was an economical ar
rangement, especially so far as repairs
are concerned.
Fhe passenger and freight depots
and the several shops of the Company
at Detroit, with the necessary grounds
cover an area of twenty acres One
hundred and seventy-fve men are con-
stantly employed in the several shops,
and all the cars are made and repaired
In them, and under the immediate SUI
pervision of the officers of the road.
While at the shops we examined two
new oars, which have since made O
sensation at the Chicago fair. One
was a freight car, which, by few sim
pie, ingenious contrivances, may be
changed so as to transport either cat
tie, grain, or any other kind of freight
1t may be opened so as to have per
feet ventilation for cattle, or closed
perfectly tight 70 carry grain, and the
: eRshzes ere made ia 4 moment.