The daily exchange. [volume] (Baltimore, Md.) 1858-1861, 1859-08-29


TERESTING STATISTICS.
The Capitalists Guide and Raslway Annual, by
F. H. Stow. contains some interesting statistics
concerning railroads in the United States, from
which the following is condensed:
1t appears that in nine years. or from 1850 to
1859, the railways of the United States increased
from 1886 to q, 944 miles in length. In this period
the increase in the New England States amounted
to 6274 per cent, while in eight of the Western
States the increase was 1,20l. Al per cent At the
same time the former gained in population l6 II per
cent, and the latter 1922. The total cost of the
roads, up to 1859, amounted TO $685., Ash O7O. of
winch large sum it is supposed one-third has been
wasted IN constructions; yet by their influence lands
nave been advanced in value and the speed of in
ternal communication greatly augmented, and the
whole country benefited. There are at this time
5000 miles OF finished roads in the United States
ana about 900 miles either under construction
or projected, requiring $500 000 900 for their com
pietlon 1t is estimated, however, that many wear
must eapse before sufficient capital can be diverted
from other objects to carry them through. In the
meantime many projected in a spirit of rivalry to
other roads will be abandoned. 1t is calculated
that 10000 miles of railway sufficient to do all
the business of the country at the present time and
that 900 miles have been constructed, in part in
rivalry to other roads, which have proved dead
loss to stockholders, and in the main will pass into
the hands of the bondholders. The average cost
OF railways per mile has been $50, 1928. In the
Middle States, S40,9lS; in the Southern States
A,0Vot anu IN tne w eStern states, 56,553
The reason assigned for cheapness of construc-
ton of railroads at the South is, that they were
built on the cash PLAN Among the net earnings,
the Panama shows the largest returns, being $29,-
564 per mile; and those earning the least, moth
ing to stockholders, were foundi Maine, Vermont,
Mississippi, Missouri, Iowa, Illinois, New York,
DC The list of dividend paying roads comprises
70; among which, two pay an annual dividend of12
per cent? nine, 10 per cent; two per cent; ten,
per cent; six, per cent; thirty, per cent; five,
8 per cent. one, per cent; one, 21l and one, 2
per cent. The list ofdenquent companies on stock
or bonds amounts to 80. The total bonded debts of
the American railways, all of which mature be-
tween 1859 and 1874, amount to S4ll 1919, 702. The
total debts of the States, including all liabilities,
direct and Indirect including loans to railroads and
expenditures for canal and banking purposes,
amount according to Mr.. Slows statement to about
S291 $685. $50. Many of the liabilities incurred,
however, for canals railroads and banks, cannot
be considered in the light of any direct charge upon
the people, as they, in most cases. pay their in
terest and sinking funds to the State and in some
eases they yield surplus revenue to the treasury.
New Jersey has canal and railroad bonds of some
seven millions, which form no tax upon the peo-
pie. Connecticut, Rhode Island and New Hamp-
shire, have no debts at all, neither direct or in
direct