Burlington weekly free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1866-1928, 1888-11-02

l
| That one was by citizens OF Newbury for
better station accommodations at Wells
| River. That complaint was heard by the
board on notice to the railroads interested,
| and resulted In the recommendation OF
the board, made on the 9Th day Of August,
1888, requiring the building of new and
| more commodious depot The company
are now erecting commodiOus depot at
that point. Many of the passenger depots
at important places are old and need re
| building. An improvement has been no
ticeable in the general tendency toward
the removal of the old-fashoned and dan
gerous high platforms at passenger. sta
tions
GRADE CROSSINGS.
The board earnestly urges the propriety'
aud necessity for legislation which shall
gradually abolish such grade crossings as
are now in existence. This can be accom-
| pllshed by conferring upon some tribunal
the power, either upon its own motion, or
upon application of railroad companies,
or town or city authorities, to investi-
| gate and, where the public safety re
quires, order a change of location or of
| grade, and to determine who shall bear
the expense, or to apportlou the same
This might be done by way OF amend
ment to existing law This power, If
thought best, might be limited by. fixing
the maximum amount that should be re-
| Qulred to be expended in making such
that should be required of any railroad in
any one year.
COST OF ROADS AND NET INCOMES.
The report gives in tabular form the cost
OF the railroads in the State, their capital
stock and total liabilities for the years
| 1887 and lSSS, together with the gross and
net income and operating expenses for the
two years. The gross income of the roads
! for the wear ending June 30, 1SSS WAS 81,
o. nd hn ina Y n
cluding taxes $5,3SS S2l5S, leaving the
net earnings $2,li0,31IlO.
DIVIDENDS.
But one road has reported to the board
the payment of any dividends to its stock
holders, aud that one Is the Vermont Val.
ley which reported a six per cent dividend
in 1887 and lSSS.
PASSENGER FARES AND FREIGHT RATES.
The average rate of fare per mile re-
ceived from all passengers varies from j
cents on the Central Vermont to cents
on the Woodstock road.
The average rate of freight per ton per
mile received from freight to and from
other roads ranges from AZ cents on the
Central Vermont to 2 cents on the Ben
nington and Rutland, while the local
rates vary from 1886 cents on the Rennes-
laer and Saratoga Operated by the Della
ware and Hudson Canal company TO
During the ~ months from December
/, 1856 to June 80, 1883 there were 2S pas
sengers killed and 81 wounded, "a and 81
of each number being due to the Hart
ford accident. OF employees and Others
, there were 43 killed and 30 injured.
CONSULTATIONS.
The board commends the increasing ten
; dency towards consolidation of the smallcl
and shorter roads into few larger sys
! tens, each under single head and con
troll. Ii is claimed that under this policy
expenses of management and operation
have been reduced ; more efficient train
service aud larger accommodations tt
the public have been furnished Il better
class OF equipment has been provided al
improvement in the condition of the roads
tr ok, and bridges has been made auC
! better and more convenient facilities, by
s way of connections at terminal points
have been provided.
STEAM HEATING AND LIGHTING.
. A good share of the report is taken nj
l with the ,uvt stigstiOns tnat the commits
} sOuera have made on the subjects of Slean
y heating and lighting. Tnty have evi
: IDENTIFY given the subject careful An'
thorough study and the report gives tn
l results Of many trials th1L have Detl
made in heating cars by steam and light
ing them with electricity. The repor
couclUdes:
is the conclusion of the board from
t,7 ,I ~ ,%t nil I1tion 81 lnrc
So,'ito' S',,'i, to,,, fnr ,vYrn,ing n1.sanlra,
l. trains is desirable for the more equal
n'iYod =, ,7,.s,,,.r trains that il ia safe
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= Massachusetts ana New l n OHF e.