Western Kansas world. [volume] (WaKeeney, Kan.) 1885-current, 1886-12-25
RAILROAD RECORD.


Interesting Facts Concerning Kansas Rail-
roads.
TOPEKA, DEC. 18-The railroad business
of Kansas during the past year has been
very large, but it does not perhaps equal the
enormous business of 1855. We CLEANED
the following from the forthcoming rail
road commissioners report: An inspection
OF the railroads operated in this state shows
that their condition has been we'll main
tanned, and some have been considerably
improved during the year. All of the leading
in the highest degree of efficiency. Several
of the lesser roads, which were allowed
several years ago to get out of repair, have
not yet been brought to proper condition.
The work OF additional railroad building
has been progressing with most remarkable
celebrity in Kansas the past year. Up to-
November l, 1886, upwards of $50 miles of
new road were built. We deem ourselves
just fed in thu expression of the belief that
by the end of the year full 1000 miles of
new roads will have been added to the rail-
road mileage Of Kansas. The number of
miles of new railroad built in the United
States tho past year. up to Novem-
Der LIST, was 5,439. Kansas leads all
the other states in respect to the construction
Of new mileage. Railroads will be built in
Kansas in the future as fast as they will 1t
needed, and much faster than the conditions
existing will afford many of them reasona-
BILE support, without the voting of another
bond. Bpt so long as the law remains upon
the statute book permitting cities, counties
and townships to vote bond aid, and thus
burden themselves with taxation for long
period in the future, it will continue to be
done. We think the people of this state
should be relieved from any further burdens
of this character.
The only way to protect the people lie to re-
peal the law. The extent to which the pub
lie is voting burdens upon itself to aid rail-
road enterprises is, when summed up, quite
Up to 1884, there had been voted
and issued by counties, cities and townships
in this state, for this purpose, the aggregate
sum of S., 504, 1886. 50 in bonds. cons:dera-
BILE portion of this bond debt has passed |
the issue and the validity of the bonds were
put in issue and Irrigated. The almost in |
variable result has affirmed the binding ma
ure of these obligations. We are inform ed |
hat since July 1, 1885, to November l, 1886,
here has been voted by counties, cities and
ownships in Kansas, the aggregate sum of
80, 151 600.
This is being continually increased by
resh boDd-voting. Add to this the vast
aggregate of debt incurred for school houses,
'ourt houses, bridges, water works, etc., and
: will be seen that the people of the state
re assuming q burden too great to be
,orne. The ambition to grow and expand
nay be INDUCED in unwiselv, and become q
'ause of weakness and decay.
Comparing the number of tons carried by
he railroads reporting to this Office with the
onnage reported the year before by the
ame companies, and also the freight
arniugs from that tonnage for tho last two
ears, respectively, the following net results
appear: The aggregate net increase in the
lumber of tons of freight hauled for the
ear ending June 30, 1886, compared with
he corr esponding period the previous year,
) 7C5 27807 tons. Notwithstanding this in
rease in the amount of tonnage carried,
hs aggregate net decrease in freight earn
ngs for the year ending June 30, 1885, COM
jared with the corresponding period the
'rsvious year, amounts to the sum of ST.
o., 709.17. |;
The total gross earnings from all sources, I
II companies. for the year ending June 30, I
sc, So, 766, $3.50. Increase over the year ,
nding June 30, 1885, of s., 848, 1926. IL
The aggregate amount OF dividend paid :
q capital stock, common and preferred, for &
be year, S7,017, O9848. Increase over the {
mount paid the year previous, $462, 1T.n. 8
Average percentage Of dividends on total q
ocks issued, 2.H.