Sacramento daily record-union. [volume] (Sacramento [Calif.]) 1875-1891, 1883-06-07
ExIIss TO Gefurn-The "Biack Hand -
Trials.

-
TEE RAILROAD COMMISSION.
Grain Rats in California and oregon
Compared-Annual Report.
Especial TO the REcoRD-UNIoS.P
SAN FRAEc1soo, June 6;h.-The Board Of
Railroad Commissioners met 81 II A. NJ. CO.
day, the full Board present.
The following communication from A. N.
Towne, General Manager Of the Central Pa
cifc, inclosing scheiule rates from Port Costa
to Portland, Or, was read by the Secretary
Of the Board aud placed on file,
SAN Francisco June s, 1883
The Honorable Board Of Railroad Commissioner
Gentlemen: Ny attention has lately been called to
items floating through the newspapers Of
this coast fayoraby commenting on recent
reductions in the grain rste made by
the Oregon Railway ard Navigation Com
pany and the Northern Pacific Railroad Com
pany for the purpose of setting up their lands.
have taken the trouble TO obtain copy OF their
latest schedule which went into effect June 1st and
which makes reductions from previous rates from
all points ranging from 12A per cent upward! l
have, therefore, that you may the rates paid by
the people of Oregon as compared with those Of
California. caused to be prepared statements which
are hereto appended, showing rates from all points
in the grain producing districts OF California to tide
water and also the rates from points located at
similar distances in Oregon and Portland. From
these YOU will perceive that the rates from points in
Oregon tidewater range from 100 to 200 per cent
higher than the rates from points similarly situated
In California.
In conclusion, would say that, as there has been
some criticism OF the policy OF our company, and
complaints of discrimination because the rates
are made from points in Los Angeles county that
charged from points in the San joaquin valley to
tidewater, it is than fair and proper that
should call your attention TO the fact that the ele
ment OF distance is not always factor to be con-
sidered in the endeayor to settle up n new and
agricultural country, we find 1t in the tariffs Of the
Oregon roads. AS an illustration, Ainsworth is 227
miles interior from Portland, from which point the
rate is IS per ton on grain, and the applies to
all the various stations between that and Horse
Plains, $50 miles from Portland Very respectfully
A. N. ToWNE, General Manager.
ANNUAL REPORT OF THE CENTRAL PACIFIC.
The following communication from Mr..
ToWne was also read:
The Honorable Board Of Railroad Commissioners
OF Cslifornia-Gentemen l submit herewith the
annual report of the Central Pacific Railroad
pany for the year ending December 81. 1882, ac-
cCrding to the forms prescribed By your honorable
Board, which is subscribed and sword to by the
proper officers Of this company. [ also incOs a
comparative statement of the increase, traffic,
rates, etc, of the Central Pacific Railroad and
leased lines for the years 1881 and 1882 the items Of
which are referred to by page numbers to the above
report
Iu view of the consideration by your honorable
Board of the regulation Of charges for the trans
portation OF passengers and freight on the roads
operated by this company in California, beg to call
your attention to this statement and PARTICULARLY to
the following items, which show the result Of the
the operations Of the system of roads operated by
this company during the past year
The miles OF road operated was
On December 81, 1881. ...................2S6 S65 rs
On December 81, 1882. g0I sS
An increase during the year of ..... 8S6.1s
The total amount available for dividends was:
For the year 1881 ,S93 757 13
For the year 1882. Observation-Disclosures. 1891 6H %
decrease in 1882 OF ........... 81, ,3O2, ,l15 20
This great decrease Of net income, amounting to
27 per cent, caused partly by renewal and i'm
provements to property, but to much larger ex-
tent due TO the increase of traffic at lower rates
This is shown by the following figures The aver.
age rate OF freight per ton per mile was in 1881,
cents in 1882 / 81 cents; decrease in 1882 Of 10
per cent, or .35 of a cent each ton hauled one
mile.
The average rate OF fares per psssenger per mile
was in 1881, 3.06 cents; in 1852, 2.29 cents-a de-
crease in 1882 of per cent, "A Of cent on each
mile travelled by passenger.
The tons CT freight carried one mile was
In 1881 10, 20 Ss9
In 1852. 902, ,9Sl 800
Increase in 1882 2of......,......... Of le9,e9 ,4so
The number Of passengers carried one mile was
In 1851. ...........'..,-....-.. us ll1,760
In ISL ..-'..-.......... 5,S24,SGS
Increase in 1882 of................ s7,7o6.cos
A large portion Of the expenses Of this, as Of all
rai!rcad companies, Of fixed character 50 that
they little affected by an ntrease or decrease Of
traffic. A greater traffic may therefore be carried
on at q lower rate and still with larger profit to
the company, as the increase Of expenses is not ia
as great ratio as the increase OF receipts.
Following the policy which is generally UNDER
stood by those 8ho are familiar with the subject OF
ira n ~ tba
as vel as to the shipper, this company has used
every effort TO increase its traffic atlower Taes hop
ing thereby to increase its means az well.
Unfortunately for the company, however during
the year 1882 (hougl better results are hoped for
in the tuture) the increase of earnings was more
than overcome by the ret increase Of expenses.
The net earnings per freight train mile waa
in 1881, 81 So; in 1882 81 lS dec ease in the net
profit on each mile run bJ freight trains Of forty
cents, or 20 per cent
The net earnings per passenger train mile was in
1881. 81 20; 10 1882, 81 2s, decrease in the net
profit on each mile run by passenger trains Of II
cents, or 8 per cent.
As result, the foregoing shows that, in 1882
compared with the previous year the roads operated
by this company performed service Of % per cent
more in freight traffic. and II per cent more ia pas
senger traffic, at total net profit TO the company
OF 2l per cent. less. Respectfully submit ed,
A. N. TOWNE, General Manager.
These communications and the report were
placed CT fle.
THE SPECIAL CONTRACT SYSTEM
Commissioner Humphreys then presented
his opinion in regard the special contract sys-
TEN OF the railroad company, AID which has
occupied 90 msuy days before the Board
under ths complaint Of Messrs. Richards &
Harrison. Commissioner Humphreys con
ours in the main with Commissioner CsrpeE-
ter'snpinion that no discrimination has been
shown thai all the merchants had tie psivi-
lege Of tie special contract system, hut
SONS did not avail themselves OF II. Mr..
Humphrey concludes bis opinion ss follows ::
AZ GOES straintd 10 say thai from the
mesgre evidence brought bsfore us 81 to fhe
effect Of the specisl contract. the blank form
Of which has bsen exhibited to ~. and ths
entire failure Of any proof Of practical bard
ships t. cur merchants az class or 20 the
ccnpisinsuts themselves, or Of any espionage
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