The weekly Oskaloosa herald. [volume] (Oskaloosa, Iowa) 1855-1885, 1876-08-17
CENTRAL II. Il. OF IOWA.

RECEIVERS OFFICE, GRINNELL, Iowa.
July 25th, 1876.
To the Hon. U. S. District Court for Ionca
herewith submit Receivers Report
for the first six months of 1876, relative
to business and management of the Cen
trail Iowa r. R. placed in my hands six
months since
The figures given are from the books
of the heads of departments.
A. Russell, Sup't. Passenger Depart
ment, shows that there We're 23,335 pas.
sengers carried above the corresponding
months in 1875, and an increase of the
net earnings for the same period of
$l9,276.
j. G. Manley, Supt. of Freight Depart
ment, reports an increase of tonnage over
1875 of sixty-two million pounds, or
1929 cars. The net increase from
freight earnings, is $7,476.51. The COM
pliance of the east and west railroads with
rates made by the State law, has lowered
the Central charges, of necessity, about 25
per cent. and impaired our earnings, bas-
ed on former rates, in about the same
ratio. In addition, the extension of the
G. r. /. 4 P from the east to Oskaloosa,
has materially reduced our business at
that point. The failure of the grain
crop of 1875, caused falling off in our
grain transportation of 800 cars.
The machinery department shows that
trains ran 294,773 miles, and an increase
of 77,907 above 1875, and after deduct
ing increased cost of fuel for extra trains,
shows net saving of $3,342,82, or 26
per cent on an increased mileage. 1t is
to be said that freedom from snow and a
careful movement Of trains on smooth
er track, has contributed much to this
favorable showing, not less than remark
able exemption from casualties. F. B.
Woodruff, Master Mechanic, is justly
proud of this report
Il. l.. Sewers, Supt of Car Repairs, re
ports an expenditure in his Department
of $4,000 in excess of last year; several
cars having been rebuilt and reftted with
modern improvements and reclining chairs,
making passenger accommodations first
class, and promising an increased revenue,
besides giving good satisfaction to the
public
G. g. Gilman, Chief Engineer, reports
the road-bed in good condition, compare
lively, and has ssplaced in track 1886 new
ties, costing ABB cents each, being 5000
more than used in same period in 1875,
and costing about one cent each less. His
total expenditure has been $lll,855.5O;
about $4,000 above 1875, in part for
three new stations and side tracks; three
extra ditching and ballast trains, and 81
miles of new legal board and wire fence.
This new fence was a necessity, and many
miles in addition, to comply with right of
way contracts and the safety of trains on
curves and grades imperilled by stock at
large and in order to lessen the deStruc-
ton of animals
l required locomotive engineers to re-
port to me directly in regard to all stock
manned or killed, and the claims for dam
ages having been reduced 100 per cent. l
give the train men great credit for vigi-
lance and caution in this regard.
The Pay Roll for June, excepting the
extra track force, shows on an increase of
business of % per cent. q reduction of
five per cent.
No litigation has grown out of the past
six months business, save two or three
suits on account of injuries occasiOned by
a broken rail last February, which l have
held as an unavoidable casualty. That
no other serious accident has happened to
employees or patrons, may be ascribed to A.
Russell, Gen. Supt. and o. A. Jones,
Train Dispatcher.
7. j. Fletcher, who has efficiently serv-
ed as Auditor and Cashier, reports the
Receivers accounts returned to your
Court by P. L. Lomax, Esq, Master in
Chancery, as correct with details of re-
ceipts and disbursements monthly.
In conclusion, l regret to report par
tial failure of the wheat crop, which will
materially reduce our revenue, and only
the strictest economy in details, and the
best of fortune will bring an income from
this property to the owners, and it is a
pleasure to report that the employees, gen.
orally, and all the heads of departments,
are efficient and faithful
Respectfully yours,
J. B. GRINNELL,
Receiver C. r. r. of Io,oa.