Phillipsburg herald. [volume] (Phillipsburg, Kan.) 1882-1905, 1886-12-25
RAILROAD RECORD. .
Interesting Facts Concerning Kansas Rail
roads.

Interesting Facts Concerning Kansas Rail
roads.
TOPEKA, December L8.-The railroad busi-
ness of Kansas during the past year has
been very large, but it does not perhaps
equal the enormous business of 1885. We
CLEANED the following from the forthcoming
railroad commissioners report:
An inspection Of the railroads operated IN
this state shows that their condition has been
we'll maintained, and some have been con-
siderabiy improved during the year. Al
the leading lines are in fine order, and are
maintained IN the highest degree Of sfhC-
iencV. Several OF the lesser roads, which
were allowed several years ago to get out Of
repair, have not yet been brought 10 proper
condition
The work Of additional railroad building
has been progressing with most remarkable
celebrity in Kansas the past year. Up to No
vember l. 1856, upwards of $50 miles Of new
road were built. We deem ourselves 1ustl-
ned in the expression of the belief that by
the end of the year full ], 900 miles of new
roads will have been added to the railroad
mileage of Kansas. The lumber of miles
of new railroad built IN the United Stat5a
the past year, up to November 1st, was
3, 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 be needed, and
much faster than the conditions existing
Will AFFORD many Of them a reasonable sup
port, with ut the voting OF another bond.
But 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 viii 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 protest the people is to
repeal the law. The extent TO which the
public is voting burdens upon itself to aid
railroad enterprises is, when summed mp
HHgH In 60 Rod
voted ard issued by counties, cities and
townships IN this state, for this purpose
he aggregate sun OF So 5O4. 1850. A con-
siderable portion OF this bond debt has
passed through the courts, wherein the
legality of the issue and validity OF the
bonds were put in issus and htigated. The
almost inVariable Frssult has affirmed the
binding nature of these obligations. We
are informed that since July ], 1885, to No
vember 1, 1886, there has been voted by
counties, cities and townships. in Kansas,
the aggregate sum OF SO, I5l $40.
This Is being continually increased by
fresh bOnd-VOting. Add to this the vast ag-
gregate Of debt incurred for school houses,
court houses bridges, water works, etc, and
1t will be seen that the people Of the state
are assuming a burden too great to be borne.
he ambition 10 grow and expand fast may
be INDUCED IN wisely, and become q cause
Of weakness and decay.
Comparing the mum Der Of tons carried by
the railroads reporting To this office with
inc tonnage reporter GlS year before Dg
the same companies and also the freight
earnings from that tonnage for the last two
years, respectively, the following net results
appear; Tbs aggregate net increase in the
number Of tons Of freight hauled for the
year ending June 20, 1886, compared with
the corresponding period the previous year,
IS 705,2T8.O7 tons. Notwithstanding this
increase IN the amount Of tonnage carried,
the aggregate net deere 80 in freight carr
ings for the year ending Juns 50, 1856 com
pared with the corresponding period the
previous year, amounts to the sum Of 81
4O5, 7O9, II.
The total gross earnings from all sources,
all companies, for the year ending June 81,
1886, S62, 766, 356. 80. Incrsaze over the year
ending June 30, 1885, Of 81, 848, 1925.
The aggregate amount Of dividend paid
on capital stock, common ana preferred, for
the year, S7,O17,O 43. Increase over the
amount paid the year previous, $462, 177.77.
Average percentage Of dividends on total
stocks Issued, 2.47.