New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1889-01-15
THE STATE RAILROADS.
REPORT OF THE COMMISSIONERS.
INCREASE IN THE BUSINESS OF THE CARRIERS
- ,r,.,o .>,r, ,yrNrYr rrOy DreCuSsFD.

INCREASE IN THE BUSINESS OF THE CARRIERS
+ HEATING AND VENTILATION DISCUSSED
Albany, Jan. lathe sixth annual report OF tho
Board of Railroad Commissioners for the year eDolhs
september go 1883, has been made public. 1t begins
nv stating that tho fairly profitable rates which were
generally sustained during the years 1886 and 1857
we're seriously cut into by the 1srce competitions
between tho railroads throughout the country. Ids
Is attributed to the clause In the Interstate commerce
Act prohibiting pooling the reckless efforts OF some
railroad managers TO procure business at any rates.
however profitable the building Of new roads In adj
vance Of any necessity foe the same strikes. and the
deliberate reduction of rates 10 Improbable points
by interruptions managers for stocidbbng purposes
After discussing at some length the effect Of the
Interstate law, the report gives summary OF tho
business Of the roads Of tho state for the year. showing
large increase. Among the figures given sre tho
following totals:
Gross earnings from op 1851 80 ,,o i isSS5S 3os "a
S Sest sarnnss RoS opera 'l1''Ss
ss & 81
Ss ssE md s5.{ ssa .SaS 1sS
Miles q oTo rSsd s, sS' IN 7sssss 74s7sS
1On on. OF mile ipe'gn' earea 1904 720
o527 per cent.
Pas S,s tcsclS ssTSse 9, s SHe -
Increase Sasss '0 IN 1883 Of -''''''-''''
o0.4 per cent
The record Of accidents shows increase Of 81 In
the total number of people killed and 112 injured
as compared with the year 1887.
Considerable space IS given to the subject OF head
Ing cars and the report that the law abolshng
the use Of stoves VIII doubtless be conorned TO by
all the roads by January /. The limit allowed by
the law was November /. 1885, but extension Of time
required in nearly every case. Tho New-York
Central and Hudson River system entirely ready
by November /. and desired no extension. Permission
granted It, however. to haul tho cars of other
railroads or companies whose time hal been extended
until the termination Of such extension. Tho oues-
ton whether roads running at a high rate OF speed
con come In under the clause Of the law exempng
roads less than fifty miles long has been referred
to the Attorney General BY the Board
The Board expresses regret that in the adoption Of
steam-heating method little attention has been
paid TO ventilation. 1t Is common, nay almost
universal, complaint Of those who travel that the
temperature Of the eher kept so high as DO
intolerably oppressive or allowed to fall SO low as
TO be uncomfortably cold. On the New-York Central
Road device has been tried with some success a
few cars, consisting Of window opening horizontally
in the side Of the roof, the aperture Ia so arranged
that the movement Of the train causes exhaust 10
take place, which draws the foul air OF the car
These windows open in the direction opposite from
that in which the Is moving. Fresh air IS id
mitted by opening window in the rear. Tho Board
recommends that thermometer be placed in each
car and instructions be given the ranrnen TO keep
IL as nearly as possible at tho point Of seventy degrees
and that such thermometer be compared from time 10
time with standard. in order 10 insure it's correct
register The Board has said much upon this sub
iect with so little effect that II VIII this year submit
draft of bill TO the Legislature upon tho matter
The Commissioners again submit drafts of bills
which have heretofore failed TO receive legislative at
tenuon, including amendments 10 the Commission act