Delaware tribune. [volume] (Wilmington, Del.) 1867-1877, 1875-02-04

The nine remaining spans Of wood Of the Sus-
| quohauna Bridge will need renewal in iron be-
fore before 1873, and. "a the present is favor
| able time to contract for iron work, We have
caused to be made certain contracts for eight
iron spans, to be erected ct short notice, at op-
ton OF this Company, at any time before 1873.
The bridges at Stanton and at Trainers Station
are now being rebuilt in iron, and the grade OF
the railroad is being separated from that Of the
town road at the Horntown road. To meet the
cost OF such outlay, it wAs deemed expedient to
set aside 500. 900 from the net earnings Of 1874
to the credit Of the Renewal Fund, which there.
fore now amounts to SIG, 6l,077.93.
During the year an unusual quantity of
iron rsils became unfit for usn and were
replaced by steel rails to the extent Of
2l0O tons, or over twenty three mios Of single
track, upon the main stem aud branches. The
outlay for steel rails amounted to about 242 600,
which amount, less proceeds Of sale Of old iron
rails, was charged to repairs Of road for 1874.
There was expended also for additional equip
ment, and charged to operating expenses OF
1874, the aum Of 70, $40 0S. And In this way 1t
u believed that full compensation has been made
for such dsprecaatioD Of portions or your proper
ty, ~ from il nature could not be compensated
for ct the time in kind. - [.
In our last annual report we informed the
stockholders in respect To the very insufficient
pay for mail service received by this Compepy
During the past year, persistent exertions were
made by y0ur executive officer to obtain reason.
able compensation from the Post Office Depart
ment. Tho probability Of success in this direc-
ton seeemed at one time 10 remote that it
the Post Office Department. ali of our
! post Office Cars, to be used for the trans
portation OF express matter and fast freight, for
either OF which uses we ahould have received
ior the car.seryice st ieast double the amount
paid US by the Post Office Department. But at
this juncture changes took place in the admin
istration Of the Post Office Department, and it
was deemed dus 70 the Post Master General
elect, to await his assumption Of the duties Of
bis office aud his action in regard tn our claims
The result, we think, thus far justifies this
OourAe. 1t has been already stated that our
mail Becsjpts in 1874 exceeded those OF 1873 by
about " per cent, aud We may add, that with
the assent OF the Post Master General. Tie
ber, 1874. and in January, 1874 10 10 be used -
aNAsiA Of adjustment Of our mail pay, to take
effect from the first Of July last. We are more
over encouraged 10 hope that our position in re-
Of faithful work performed for tho Post Office
Department at large loss to this Companv be
improved by revision OF the postal laws during
the present session Of Cong,ess-A measure re-
commended by the Post Master General in his
recent annual report. which recommendation WA
approved by the President in his last message.
In conclusion, your Directors are Of opinion
that your properly in ia sound condition. and
that even IL the general depression Of business
should continue, and should cause still further
oAAAa'.uso. v, sie Bioss iecelpts OF Tie COmpa-
ny, all such diniinution 10 Any extent now pro-
bAblo will be met by corresponding reduction
OF the operating expenses uf your road during
the ensuing fiscal year.
By order Of the Board Of Directors,
.. ... Isaac HIScKLKY,
Presidsnt
In supplementary table the number of cary
owned by the Company Is stated 10 be /. .AS9-
160 for use In the Passenger Dapa t,neut OF The
road, 1850 in the Freight Departments, and Is
for miscellaneous purposes. The number OF To-
cOmotivos Ii n. '.'