Daily globe. [volume] (St. Paul, Minn.) 1878-1884, 1878-02-06
OUR RAILROADS.
4NNUdL REPORT OF THE R4ILRO4D
COMMISSIONER.


Two Hundred and Twelve Miles of Road
Built in 1871--Land Grant FOrfeitures--
Legislative Control--Gross Earnings $5,-
4O8,O39.1O--The Land Sales.
The report of the Railroad Commissioner
was issued yesterday. We quote as follows:
OFFICE OF STATE RAILROAD COMMISSIONER,
ST. PAUL, Dec. 81, 1877.
10 His Excellency, John s. Pillsbury, Governor:
S1R:-In obedience to the requirements of
law, l have the honor to submit the seventh
annual report from this Office, relating to
the railroads of the State for the year end
ing June Both. 1877
should be glad if it were convenient and
practicable to have the company reports
brought down to a date nearer the close of
the calendar year. So much time, however,
is required by the companies to prepare their
reports, and for compilation after they come
to this Office, that not much could be gained
beyond the present time fixed for the COM
pany reports, the middle of the year: time
when many of the companies prepare state
ments of business for the first half of the
year for their own information.
l have, however, obtained information of
construction of new roads and extensions
sales of lands, ETC.. down to, OF nearly to the
close of the year.
1t will be seen that 2l2 miles of railroad
were constructed chiefly i'll the last half
in the year 1877. This is more than was
constructed i'll the four years Immediately
preceding, and the largest number of miles
in any one year in the State, except the years
1901 and 70, the great era Of railroad
construction.
The good effect of the somewhat compul-
sorry legislation of the last Legislature, i'll re-
gard to uncompleted land grant railroads, is
shown in the construction of the line from
Watab to Brainerd.
There is imminent danger that Congress
will declare forfeiture of the grants in all
cases where the time for completion of roads
has expired. The secretary of the interior
has recommended such action. and bill has
been introduced for that purpose. 1t is to be
hoped that the influence of the western mem
bers will prevent the passage of the bill this
session, but it would be dangerous to delay
the completion of any land grant roads be-
You'd the present year.
I heartily commend such legislation as will
secure, if possible the completion of these
roads within the year 1873.
The insured increased prosperity of the
State, and rapid increase in population and
production, leave no excuse for delay on the
part of the companies holding the franchises
and grants.
The year just closed was marked by the
important judicial decisions of the Supreme
Court of the United States determining the
great questions that have agitated the people
and occupied the attention of the Legisla-
lures and Courts for the last seven years, re-
speeding the power of State Legislatures to
control and regulate railroads.
A clear and concise statement Of these de-
cisions is given elsewhere in this report by
w. P. Clough, Esq. counsel for the State, in
the case of the Winona &, st. Peter r. Il.
Co. VS.. Blake. Also the decision of the
United States Circuit Court in the case of
Grieser VS.. Receiver of the Southern Mime
sofa r. r. Co., respecting the rights of ship
pers. These decisions will in themselves go
great way to prevent the abuses out of
which the questions arose.
EARNINGS.
1t will be seen that there was a falling
Off in both gross and net earnings of the
roads. during the year reported as compared
with the year before. The gross earnings of
all the roads for the year were $5,4Os, O39.1
against $6.00O,967 for the year ending June
80, 1876. The operating expenses were So
865,5O3.O5 against 81, 49,, 1907 the year be-
fore. The net earnings being 81, 542, 536. O5
against $1,798,424.77 for the year ending
June 80, 1876. This is to be accounted for
by the light crops of 1876.
The year to end June 80, 1873, will show a
large gain. The traffic of the roads since
the late great harvest giving evidence of the
change.
The number of passengers carried within
the year reported was 1894 equal to
39,9O9,O76 carried one mile.) against 1169,-
O72, equal to 36,058,9S6 carried one mile)
the year before.
The shipments from stations were ill.,
923 tons, against 2,O79,563 the year before.
The tons of grain moved were 1865 against
1913 the preceding year.
The tariff rates for both freight and pas
sengers have been about the same as during
the year previous. 1t is gratifying to know
that reduced rates have been decided on by
several roads under the improved prospects
of business.
LAND SALES.
The sale of railroad lands, on one or
two of the roads-greatly stimulated in 1876
by the low price of bonds and stocks which
were receivable in payment for the bonds
has, since the departure of the grasshoppers
and under the influence of the wonderful
harvest of 1877, been very large on all
the lines of land grant roads. The sales of
the year 1877 were 223, 639.46 acres, of which
l69,OG8.7l acres were sold since the LIST of
July, and chiefly in the months of Septem-
Der, October and November.
The year reported has been free from any
serious railroad disaster. The roads have
been kept in fair condition and repair. The
system of inspections and care of bridges
and trestles is reasonably good.
The financial management of the compa-
MES is gradually extricating those who were
embarrassed from their difficulties, and put
ting them upon more economical basis and
in condition to serve the public at less
cost. There have been few complaints. A
general purpose is manifested by the mana
gers to deal fairly and justly with the pub
l1c. There seems reason to believe that
good feeling and mutual regard for rights
will prevail between the roads and their
patrons; and that the returning prosperity
OF the country will be shared by this great
industrial interest, which employs SO much
of the capital and labor of the people, CIV
ing just reward to both. In this way the
further development of our yet greatly
needed lines of railway, that shall give facil-
| tiles to every section of the State, and equal
lie the advantages of transportation, will be