St. Paul daily globe. [volume] (Saint Paul, Minn.) 1884-1896, 1891-01-01
STATES RAILROADS
Situation Revealed by the
Annual Report of the Rail-
way Commission.
The Year Just Closed Shows
a Marked Gain Over
the Past.
Comparative Statistics Of
Rates, Earnings and Gross
Receipts.
Some Remarks on the Topic
Of Casualties on the
Railroads.

The annual report OF the railroad and
| warehouse commissioners of the state
has been submitted to the governor. A
brief summary of the statistics fur
nished by this report is given herewith.
The report covers the year ending June
80, 1890.
The net increase of mileage for the
wear is 10604 miles, the total mileage
now being 5,40911.
There are twenty-five companies re-
porting to the commission.
There has been during the year an
increase of capital stock amounting to
S13, 395, 627, an increase in the funded
debt of $50. 299,2l9, and decrease in
current liabilities of $754,745
The gross earnings of the companies
for the same period in Minnesota were
S27. 1913. los; for same period last year,
S25, 225,5 78; an increase of 81 .967, $50.
The freight earnings for same period
were $40, ,719; for same time last
year, SIG, so, 1913; an increase of 81, 49,
$50.
The passenger earnings were, S5,6l7.'
O95; for same time last year were
$5,9S6.306; a decrease Of S369,2l1.
The miscellaneous earnings for year
ending June 80, 1890, were 81 $50, 1854 !;
for previous year, 1856, 449; decrease
of S509,0S5.
The operating expenses for year end
ing June 80, 1890, were $l6;311,O62; for
same time last year, 14,965,972; an in
crease of 81, 1926, 900.
The net income of all the lines for
year ending June 80, lS90.:waS Sl0,SS2,-
| 106: for same time last year, $40, 239, 6O6;
an increase Of $642,500.
The taxes paid for year ending Dec.
81, 1889, were SG9S, 229.26; for same time
previous year, $500, 4l6.26; increase,
| $7,S13.
There are twelve companies reporting
a surplus; seven reporting a deficit.
Seven companies report dividends paid
on stock; two Of them on common
| stock; five on preferred stock.
The average rate per ton per mile for
year ending June 80, 1890. was 1.009
cents; for previous year, 1.21 cents, a
reduction of little more than one mill
per ten per mile.
The whole humber of passengers car
ried for year ending June 80, 1890, 1885,
$50; for previous year, S,64S,501, de-
crease of 761,125.
The average rate per passenger per
| mile in 1899 was 2.37 cents; in 1889, 2. "a
cents.
Casualties: The number of persons
!
| injured in 1890. 543.
The proportion of employees for Min
nesota for 1890 was 1919, as against for
| 1889, 1902. The statistical tables are
| very full, and the foregoing is an abbre-
| waited statement of them.
The recommendations of the com mis-
sion with reference to legislation are
mainly confined to such changes in the
law as are rendered necessary by the
| recent decisions Of the supreme court OF
the United States in the.cases known as
| the milk rate case and the car switching
rates.
The commission heartily indorses the
recommendation made by the cOnyen-
ton of all the railroad companies of the
| United States, to the effect that the
laws passed by the different states
should be in entire harmony in letter
and spirit with the interstate commerce
act, urging that if federal legislation
! and state legislation are in similar terms
we shall soon have in this country Sc
reS of enactmentS and Of judicial inter-
Dretations thereof which will be of in
estimable value to the public interests.
Stating the needs of the county in this
respect in the order of Importance, they
recommend Legislation which will Sc
| cure:
First-Equal transportation of pasSen-
| gers and property without dlscrlmlna-
ton as to persons Or places.
Second Transportation of the same.
Third-The best service the system
! is capable of; and,
Fourth-The cheapest transportation
| that is compatible with the foregoing
requirements. and that is just to the
companies doing the service.
A full list of complaints made, hear
ings had and decisions rendered during
the year accompanies the report.