Morning journal and courier., 1885-01-13
CONNECTICUT RAILROADS.

| Commissioners, Review of the Year l The ssHard Cash's Invested in Rail- 1 roads-The Returns-The Extent of RniiroadinS in This Little State. The annual report of the railroad commis-
 sioners says the general reductions in the operating expenses of Connecticut railroads | the past year has not been at the expense of
 safety. They were asked to approve no new
 enterprises during the year past, except in l the case of the proposed branch from this city to Savin Rock. Their adverse report
 was dictated solely by considerations for the public safety. Too many crossings at grade were involved.
 The total amount of railroad stock and outstanding indebtedness September 30, 1884, | S91 ,676, ,241. 59, divided in the proportion of about 63 per cent. of stock to 37 of debt. To each mile of single track there is $32, ,26520
 of stock and SIS, 792. 24 of debt. The gross earnings of all the companies for the fist
 time since 1878 show falling off from the preceding year. They amounted to S15, 1884, 7 298 D, being a loss of little over $3O0,- 64369 The passenger earnings were $7, POS, ,545 TT, an increase of $166, COSTS, or about 1-3 per cent The freight earnings, on the other hand, fell off s465, ,993.41 or nearly per cent, amounting in all to ST. 537, ,51G.G6 To meet the falling off in gross earnings the operating expenses have been reduced S373, ,64O.76, amounting to $11, ,516,- 74S.79 The net earnings show a gain of $62, ,444.95. Eleven companies declared. divid ends averaging S.73 per cent. on their $50, BAG, ,377. .46 of combined capital, o,,1 +n-o1ya o+bor oo,,Dop;ac with O con,hined capital of S27, ,594 $50 paid no dividends. In bonds there were $13, ,577, ,O0O, upon which in terest to the amount of $752, 335 was overdue September 30.
 The length of the completed roads in the State is 973. B, and all but 63 miles are laid with steel rails. The whole number of pas sengers c:rried was 16, ,957 ,574, an increase of GOA, ,957 over 1885, The freight carried amounted to s, ,169, ,319 tons, an increase of 949, $50 tons. The gross earnings per mile averaged $357 91 less than in 1883, and the gross expenses per mile $322 92 less.
 Ref-rring to the Olmstead and Hartford and Harlem parallels, the commissioners say: Nothing now prevents either of these com panies rom proceeding with the construc- tion of their roads except the want of means. The New York and Connecticut Air Line has until October g, 1886, in which to finish it's
 
 struction has been done has been in the towns of Greenwich Westport, Bridgeport, Stratford and Orange. And it is claimed that $50, TOO have already been expended in this work, and procuring right of way, en- gineering etc., and the officers express their expectation to complete their road by the time limited.
 ''The Hartford and Harlem, if it expends it's 10 per cent. within the prescribed time, will have the furaher time till December 30, 1888. ill whicl to finish its construction. During the summer, and until late in the fall, it had two agents&n the field estimating land damages, taking bonds for deeds and completing title searches. few purchases of land have been made, and deeds taken, and one piece of land in Orange has been taken by appraisal and condemnation. Chief Engineer Bryson has been retained as consult ing engineer, MT. Rawn, assistant engineer, has been kept at the office of the company in New Haven, working out estimates and details of construction. It is the evident de- termination of both these companies to keep themselves in fighting and working trim, ready to avail themselves of any advantage which may present itself. At present the depressed condition of business, the ruin which has come upon investors Tn the stock and bonds of some parallel lines, and the un- satisfactory condition of what were supposed to be sound railroad corporations, forbids aIIy expectation of the immediate construc- tion of either of these proposed roads,"
 The report announces that the corporate 1 existence of the New York and Boston In 1 land company in this State expired on the | 4th of last February. It is stated that | only ten passengers were injured during the | year. o1e of them fatally. Nine were in- | jured by jumping from the cars. Of em- l ployes IA were injured against 159 the pre- | vious year. Of accidents to those classed | as trespassers there were 101 against 99 in |