The Pulaski citizen. [volume] (Pulaski, Tenn.) 1866-current, 1876-02-03
A GRATIFYING EXHIBIT.
The Business of the Louisville
and Nashville Railroad for
the Past Six Months.

and Nashville Railroad for
the Past Six Months.
The following letter from Presi- |
dent Standiford makes a gratifying
exhibit of the business of the Louis
vile and Nashville railroad for the
first six months of the current fiscal
year;
LOUISVILLE, Jan. %, 1S7e.-At
the request of a number of the
stockholders of the Louisville and
Nashville Railroad Company, take
great pleasure in making the follow
ing informal report in reference TO
the condition and working of the
road for the first six months of the
current fiscal year, and append a
statement which shows the gross
earnings, expenses and net earnings
for that period, as compared with
the corresponding six months of
last year, and which also shows the
same comparison for October, No
vember and December OF the same
years.
1t viii be seen that, while there
has been a decrease in the gross
earnings of $57, 7,506, there has been
a decrease in expenses of SPOOL
and an increase in the net earnings
of Sl44,604, showing percentage
of expenses to gross earnings of 80
per cent. for the past six months
against 65.70 per cent. last year.
In consequence of the almost un-
precedented floods of July and Au-
gust, which had so depressing effect
on business generally, and especial
ly on railroad traffic throughout the
entire country, we had to contend
with the fact, and which has hardly
ever been known before, that the
navigable streams were during these
months in a good stage of water.
permitting steamboats, to compete
with and compelling US to carry
freight at low rates, thus further Sc
riOusly damaging our income.
The large increase in net earnings
is due, in part, to the great reduc-
tiOn that has been made in the eX
press under tie present manage
ment.
Up TO October, there was falling
off in gross receipts, as compared
with last year; but since that time
our business has steadily increased,
and is largely in excess of last year.
We are now earning not only
enough to pay operating expenses
and interest, but are accommodating
surplus, and this is the result of a
steadily increasing legitimate bust
ness.
We have every reason to congrat-
ulate ourselves upon our present f.
nancial condition, and the prospeCt
before us, aud ] have no hesitation
in saying that, unless some unfore-
seen misfortune happens, we will
soon be able to pay dividends again.
Our road bed, machinery, rolling
stock and everything connected
with the road is in first.class condi-
tion, and not excelled by any line
in the country. The employees oil
the road are courteous and ablig
ing, and perfect discipline insisted
upon and maintained by the heads
of the departments; in fact, we have
everything to insure speed, safety
and comfort TO travellers, and
promptness IN carrying and deliver
ing freight.
Our general officers are careful
and experienced and competent rail
road men, whose interests center in
our road, and who are working to
build and keep it up.
l feel especially gratilied to report
a growing sentiment of friendship
for the road by the people along the
| line, and Of business men generally
tho are its patrons. Very many
who, six months ago, we're hostile
are now its warmest friends, and We
have lost nothing in gaining thi;
sentiment, it having been the result
of the conservative and equitabl,
policy which the present manage
ment adopted Immediately after III
Inauguration. l am determined al
long as l am connected with th,
road 70 carry out this policy, be
cause l believe it to be the true on,
to gain success.
1 desire to thank the patrons o
the road for the uniform good viii
with which they have met every eff
fort on my part to build up the in
terests of the road, and have n'
doubt, if we continue to work har
moniously, our best hopes will b.
realized. Respectfully,
E. d. STANDIFoRD, Prest.