St. Paul daily globe. [volume] (Saint Paul, Minn.) 1884-1896, 1889-01-06
A YEAR AMONG RAILROADS
Increase Of Mileage in the State Of
Minnesota.
CASUALTIES REPORTED
Annual Statement of the State Commits
sioners, Who Are Opposed to Free
Passes for Anybody.

road and warehouse commissioners pro-
mulgated yesterday, shows that during
the year ending June 80, 1888, there
were constructed and put in operation
IN Minnesota, 176.7S additional miles of
railroad. The Chicago, Milwaukee &
st. Paul Railroad company report de-
crease in their mileage. caused by
strengthening their lines, of 4.67 miles;
and the Duluth & Iron Range Railroad
company report a decreased mileage
from same reason of one mile, making a
total decrease of 5.67 miles, making the
actual total increase of mileage in the
state for the year, IT'LL miles. The
number OF miles reported in operation
June 30. 1888, was 5,042.15.
Inc capital stock, bonds and debt of all the
railroads In the state, as reported by the com
panles June 30, 1888, was S2O6,4lS, O49. SO;
IN me AMOUNT reported June 80, 1887, was
S19O. 3Z3, O32.2S, an increase in one wear of
sic, O95, 017.5S
The average of STOCK bonds and debt per
mile of the railroads in Minnesota. estimated
on a mileage basis, is $40, 9337O the aver
a aSe ior the year previous was reported at
So9.o4S.9S, showing an increase per mile
during the year of 81, 8S4.72
Inc total gross earnings for the wear end
Ing Ing June 80, 1887, were reported at S26, 1872
Oo6.66 Tor year ending June 30, 1883, $25,-
52542. ''"-'
The total freight earnings for the year end
ing June 80, 1887, were reported at So
37O,775: 81; the total freight earnings Tor the
year ending June 80, 1883, SIS, 249, $50. 80;
decrease for the year, 81. 12O,954. 40.
Total passenger earning for the year end
ing June SO, 1888, $6041. OI1.si; for the
previous year, So 72 1872. Sc increase for the
year, S66S, $685..
ellaneous Earnings-From baggage,
mail, and express for the year ending June
80, 1883, 81. 445 1854: year ending June
81, 1881, $l,4l9,l1e.49; increase for the
lines in the state for the year ending June 80,
1888, were $15.3Z6.0 "a; for the year
ending June 80, 1887, $13,44S, 91s.43; in
crease a in. operating expenses for the year,
The total net income of all the lines in the
state for the year ending June 80 1887, was
S12.7l3, 1928; for year ending June 80,
1888, S1O.42O.5 16: decrease ill let income
for the year, So, 292. $50. %.
The amount OF taxes certified by the COM
mission to the state auditor for the year end
ing Dec. 81, 1887, was SIP. 10000; for the
year ending Dec. 81, 1856, it was S677,-
236.4S; increase for the year 1887, $685.
O63.61.
:, The number of passengers killed during
the year was Ia; injured but not killed, 81;
employees killed, So; employees injured, 436;
others killed. ST. others injured 81 total
casualties GIG.
There were 124 persons killed during the
year; as against l12 the previous year. The
whole number injured were 552, as against
3S4 the year previous.
The total number Of employees of all lines
doing business in Minnesota during the wear
was rs, 155. The proportion for Minnesota
was 1919. showing an increase in the
state over the previous year of 1882. The
total number of tons of freight carried on
the lines within the state for the year ending
June 80, 1888. was 1, 987, 995; the previous
year, IL. lo0,3S2 increase in tons carried
for the year, S37, 613.
The average rate per ton per mile in Min
nesota Tor the year ending June 80, 1888,
was 1904 cents The average rate per ton
per mile the previous year was 1.27 cents.
The total number of passengers carried on
al hnes within the state year ending June
80. 1888. was 10,443, $50, the year previous
9,141, 163. Increase in number of passen-
gers for the year, 2,302067.
1.-The commission congratulates the
people of Minnesota upon the reduction
effected III passenger rates, and upon
the subject OF free passes, reiterates the
views heretofore eXpressed-that issu-
ing them is an unjust discrimination
against every paying passenger, opposed
to the spirit of the act passed for the
regulation OF common carriers. The
system is fruitful source of corruption,
for it is injurious alike to public and
private interests and to the interests of
the companies themselves, and is one
of the chief obstacles in the way of
proper and necessary reform In railway
management and the control thereof
under the authority of the state.
The commission has taken it for granted
that the people of this state are not
hnStItQ IN 1,aiirnadc ny r0ilrno1
MES, and that in asserting the right of
the state to regulate and control, it
should be done in a reasonable and con-
siderate spirit, with view of
RELIEVING THE PEOPLE
from unjust burdens, yet without i'm
pairing the prosperity of the companies
which have done so much for the deyel-
opment of the state. We are conscious
that we have not met the extreme views
of many who denounce the partiality,
the determinations and the eXactionS of
railway managers. We are also con-
scious of the fact that the manner in
which we have discharged our re-
sponsibilities has incurred the
sometimes violent and bitter
denunciation Of the companies.
The grain law which was passed four
years ago at once revolutionized the
whole grain business of the Northwest.
This law in its results has far exceeded
the expectations of its friends. 1t has
at all times stood between the grower
of wheat and the buyer, and it is not
too much to claim for it, that it has left
thousands of dollars with the farmers
of this state, which would otherwise
have gone into the pockets of middle
men. Before the passage of this law.
1ahr l11 Nv fhaG &c, =
the state generally, the boards of trade
weighed the grain and performed all
the duties which the state now
does under the law. The expense
was Just the same under the old
system as under the new. The wheat
paid the charges. But under the old
system the buyer fixed the price, fixed
the grade and fixed the weight. 1t is
not surprising that the complaints all
over the state were loud and deep. The
state took charge Of the buriness, and
at once proceeded to appoint inspectors
and Weighers. The business has already
reached great proportions and is in
creasing. How to manage this vast
business so as to protect the
INTEREST OF ALL PARTIES.
has engaged the earnest thought of the
commission. which is charged with the
execution of the lay. The work of in
spection is done as follows: An in
spector goes QUITO the track where the
grain is received. opens car, and after
examining the grain fixes the grade and
dockage. He then makes out a ticket
giving the grade, which he places in the
car, and proceeds to the next one. He
keeps a record Of the ear and inspection.
He does not know where the car came
from or to whom it belongs. The con-
signee can always call for reinspec-
ton. This system adopted by the state,
is as near perfect as any system of in
spection and weighing of grain any
where. 1t is just to the farmer and the
buyer. The certificates of inspec-
ton, fixing the grades of grain, are of