New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1884-01-07

Making allowance for a probable error of a6out
l. 900 miles in Poors statement for 1850 though it
cannot now be sad in what states or sections, the
aggregate mileage at the close OF 1888 would ap-
pear about 100000 The hdlrGy fee. after correct
ing to some extent its detailed reports previously
given, makes the aggregate sixty-three miles less
than that but does not explain in what States its
corrections occur as to mileage britt in 1881 or
1852. The statement here given, however. is sutl-
GENTLY accurate. if it be remembered that Poors
mileage for $50 i- too large.
Thus it appears that there have been added over
81 900 miles or about 30 per cent TO the railroad
system Of the country within three years. II is TO
he observed hat the Middle Western and the Kan
sas divisions have added over 5000 miles each, and
the Older aud more poprlous section, with only
2u55O square miles and 2j3s2 mi es Of railway
already in operation in 1850 for a population of
200 900, has added nearly as much ,5272 miles,
as tie sparscly settled Kansas belt, with only
3I7j. 600 inhabitants and 567, S7j square miles.
Adding !, 400 miles, the Kansas belt has increased
% per cent in three years. But the Colorado belt,
with vast area of 5JI, $50 square miles, and only
one inhabant TO the square mile has added 30l2
miles of railroad TO the 3,lGl miles it had in 1850,
q larger proportIo ate Increase than that of any
other section. The Missouri belt has added 4iS3
miles, or ovc~ 33 per cent to its railway mileage.
but had in 1850 a population Of about q TO the
square mi c.
This table bring ont one rcmariab fact, how
ever, that the Southern states east Of the MiSSis-
sppi, though they had little larger population
than the Middle Western group, and 43G,37O
square miles OF area, against 24,5JO, and
only - 900 miles of railroad in 1850, against
-, 600 in the d.e Mddle-Wcstcm States, have
nevertheless added G32 miles less railroad within
the last three years. The Southern addition Is
1910 miles; the Northern lGrOup3l J,212 miles.
Pr0poriiouatcly, the Southern section has gained
the MOST per cent, while the Middle Western has
gained only 81 per cent But considering the vast
difference i'm population aud area andin consequent
need OF additional railway facilities, the contrast IS
One other fact the tables place in strong light.
| Railroad building has fallen of very greatly III the
Missouri and Kansas belts, and the IndIcatoL5 are
that il ha, there gone beyond the present needs of
! fine pouuation. The Missouri belt, however has
nov about three miles of road to 600 inhabitants
and the South Eastern only about p miles to LOCO
! inhabitants. Ncw-Engaud about ll2 miles, the
! Eastern Middle states abont lI2, and the Middle
Western little short Of miles, Gct more miles OF
railroad were built last year IN the Middle Western
section than in any other, and the competition IN
| railway traffic is more fierce and results In
! relatively lower rates there than anywhere
| else Moreover notwithstanding It's large mileage
i'm proportion TO population, II still has less railroad
MILEAGE nm proportiOn 10 area than the Middle East
ern section where the ratio is only about six square
miles of territory 10 each mile OF railway. In the
Ohio Wisconsin section the ratio Is about square
| miles of 10 eaCn Elllc OF railway III NcM-
England about 10, in the Missouri belt about ~ ID
m the Southern states east of the Mississippi 23l2
i'm the Kansas belt 80, in the Colorado belt 50, and
i'm the Pacific belt - square miles 20 each mile OF
| railway. II may perhaps be inferred that, with in
crease Of population and business the whole region
north of the Ohio line aud east of the barren plains
! Of the far West, embracing over 100000 square
miles may presently require as much "a l5J.OOO
| miles Of railway, or nearly double It's present
/ mileage. .
Bat the conclusions respects the southern part OF
the country are quite different. The older southern
! states seem to be- supplied with about all the rail-
/ ways they require, and yet average 20 y square
| miles of area to each mile of road. vast sums or
money have been expended, too, in pushing new lal-
WAYS into the Southern region west OF the MlsSls-
sippi and the results have been such as 70 nearly
| stop railroad buldug in that section. The four
! States Missouri Arkansas, Louisiana, and IeXas,
/ have an area of 42J, 400 square miles and popuiac
ton Of s. SOP 800 IN lss0 and only 1878 miles OF
railway. only pig miles to every 1000
| Inhabitants. a ratio less than that of the Middle
/ Western states and only mile of road TO 81 ID
! square miles Of territory. But the rail-
! road built In those States amounted to 2,Z2O
/ miles In 1881, to 2,llO miles in lss2, and only
! $40 niles In l-s3 IL may be doubted whether
southern agriculture sustal as large railroad
/ mileage As Northern. and whether southern indus
| try can support half ~ many miles of railroad to a
! given area as the moro varied industries OF the
/ Northern sections.