Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1891-10-11
CHESAPEAKE & OHIO.
THE ANNUAL REPORT OF THE Dt
REcroRS or THE COMPANY.
1asrsaseA Earnisss Over the Last Fiscal
Yesr-Prssent Condition Of The Road
Contemplated Improvements.

Tho annual meeting Of the stockholders
Of the Chesapeake and Ohio Railway Com.
pany will be held in this city on tho Goth
of this month. when officers for the en-
suing year will be elected. Tho report Of
the directors. covering the operations for
the FISCAL year ending June 80. 1891, has
just been printed and will be submitted
q this meeting.
TOTAL MILEAGE.
The total trAckage owned. operated, and
controlled by the company, including the
Warm Springs and Craig Creek branches
and other squire. IL 1853 miles. The net
earnings Of the company were ~ ?o6, 692.S9
o. compared with 81. 9o4. ss3.s3 IN 1880.
This company's relations with the steaIn-
ship lines doing business between New
port News and New York. Providence. and
Boston have been closer during tho last
year than ever before and have worked
smoothly. The road has more business
than these steamers. so far, have been able
20 take care Of readily. but II is probable
that the parties owning these lines VIII IN
crease the facilities as the demand grows.
IITrtY ADDITIONAL EXPENSE.
During the year the company has
handled the increase of business Mt very
little increase of expense and without any
loss of life to passenger. The directors
think that with the double track that was
completed and put in operation In June,
1891, and with the new sidings that have
been completed even better results may
be looked tor during the present year.
The output and distribution OF coal for
the year was 2,275, 500 tons. of which TO-
s27 tons was delivered at Richmond and TO-
2i0 tons was delivered at the James-rlver
wharves.
OPERATING DEPARTMENT.
The operating department has continued
the work OF steadily improving the physi-
lal condition of the existing property.
THIS has involved large expense. tho
directors say. During the next few years
the heaviest extra outlay will probably oe
for filing trestlcs There are dozen or
more large trestles on the Huntington
division which should be filed up (rather
than rebuilt) before their safe limit OF life
ia reached, and the policy of the manage
n.ent will be TO FIJI them up gradually.
spreading the expense over the next I'VE
years.
FUTURE IMPROVEMENTS.
As TO future improvements the directo-
~ say:
The problem that seems TO confront
your directors is how 10 take care OF the
Increased business that is constantly press.
ing upon them. 1t will be noticed that the
earnings of the company (both gross and
nett since the present management took
charge have steadily grown and the future
never looked so promising as TODAY. 10
take care of the rapid increase of business
requires considerable expenditures. The
company has stlll in its treasury ) 900 900
of its per cent. consolidated bonds, which
can be sold from time TO time tor termi-
nails, additional double track. and other
like purposes. so far as they Will go.
The policy of the company should be to
4 xx,s. to l.s.rl al al 1 ON
sections of double track on the main line.
and steadily to develop business 10y the
construction Of branch lines into the coal
fields and timber territory OF West Nr-
ginia.
The company will also. in the course of
the next few years, have to improve It's
terminal facilities at Richmond. Lynch
burg, aud one or two other points. For
tunately. all or nearly all Of the land tor
these purposes is already owned. The
heaviest OUTLAY will be at Richmond, to
effect o suitable connection between the
old main line and the James-River division
tracks without interfering with the city
streets. An additional merchandise pier
at Newport Naws Is also urgently needed.
Means for such work must of course be
provided when opportunity offers, by
Issuing such securities as tho stockholders
may determine.
PASSENGERS CARRIED.
The number of passengers carried during
The year was, according to the manager re-
port. 1.s92.OI2 previous year. l,il0,t42; en-
increase this year of Is per cent. Revenue,
Gl,765. 1881. an increase OF 20 per cent.
Nine thousand Two hundred and seventy
nine tons of new rail ighing seventy five
pounds per yard were laid in the main
track during the year.
On June 80. 1850. the company owned
237 locomotives. During the year fifteen
locomotives have been added to the equip
ment, making total Of 252 owned June
so, 1891. Seventeen additional locomo-
tiyes have been ordered. tiye Of which
have been received since the close OF the
fiscal year. The company owns ISL pas
Benger-cars.
The total freight movement for the year
was 4, 166. 102 tons. as against 3.1o0,jT the
previous yesr-an increase OF 4O5.525 tons,
10.7S per cent.
The report recommends general improve
ment and the increase CT facilities Ia all
departments.