The Coconino weekly sun., 1894-12-13
THE RAILROADS.
Report fthe Enterstate Commerce Com mission--Freight Schedules Discussed.


 eighth annual report to congress yes- terday. The report says it is the duty of shippers, railroad managers and citizens generally toassist the govern. ment in running downwiolations of the statute designed to protect their inter- estss- It recommends that carrying corporations be made indicta bic and subject to fine for violations of the ac L The report speaks of the unreasona ble freight rates from Chicago and Cincin- nati to southern points. Also of the unreasonable rates on wheat. It re- fers to the failure of many carriers to post their traffic as required by law. The commission explains the necessity of providing single classification of freights for the whole country, saying that experience has shown the neces- sity for congressional action, and sup ports the belief that uniform classii- cation depends upon the passage of 8 statute requiring its accomplishment.
 The report states the railway service which pertains to shipping, billing and the statement, collection and correc- tion of charges, especially as to the traffic over connecting roads, is con- ducted with much uncertainty, lack of system and regularity, so it justifies charges of gross carelessness and disre- gard of the rights of the shipping pub lie. Carriers ought to publish their tariff rates and schedules plainly enough and employ agents skilled enough to enable han fn ofl flYr< faa f4 ch pers. The fact that carriers under take, after the collection of over charges, to- adjust the same, while right and proper in itself, does not fur nish an excuse or justification for tho practice of overcharging to the extent to which it is carried on. The present method of adjusting claims of this character is, attended with such de- lay and vexation to claimants that it is extremely unsatisfactory, resulting in greatinjustice to shippers and con- signees.
 Underehsrges also result in grave in. justice. It is stated the provision of law relating to through routes and through rates on account of the limited meaning which had been given to it by the courts, is practically imperative, and it is strongly urged that the law be amended in order to give effect to the intention of congress in respect to this matter.
 After lengthy review of the rail- road pooling bill, the report says: "We submit for the consideration of con- gress that pooling without other reme- dial legislation is unadvisable. Pool ing under conditions to be approved by the commission and rendered capable of easy and direct regulation with &C., companying effective remedial legisla- ton we believe might safely be tried"
 On the government ownership of rail- roads, the commission refrains from expressing any opinion.
 As to the great strike of 1894, the commission states its reasons for not entering upon an investigation of this matter. The controversy included matters outside of the commissions jurisdiction. It is urged the commits sion should have express authority by statute to investigate the acts of all parties in relation to such matters.
 As to the financial condition of rail. ways, reference is made to the financial embarrassment of railways resulting from the commercial depression and other causes. On June 30, there were 156 roads in the hands of receivers, while the financial depression has been factor in bringing about embarrass- ment of railways, it is believed that many of the receiverships were the natural sequence of mismanagement, over-capitalization and ill-advised pro- jecting. Although the traffic has largely decreased during the year, the rates have also declined, showing that there has been unusual competition for the decreased traffic.
 The commission includes in its re- port statistics of railways for the year ended June 30, 1893. On that date there were 174, ,461.77 miles of line in the United States, being an increase during the year of 4,s97s5 miles. The number of railway corporations was 1890, being an increase of sixty-eight over the previous year. The capital ization of the roads reporting was S10,- 506, 235, 40. The number of passengers carried was 593, 56O, 612, and the num- Der of tons of freight carried was 745,- 110, 4s2 The gross earnings were S1,- 22O, 751, ,s74 the operating expenses Ss27, 921 ,299, leaving net earnings of S392, s3O, ,575, which is equivalent to S2,- 314 per mile of line.
 The commission calls further atten- tion, to the legislative enactment re- quiring the application of automatic couplers and other appliances on the cars of the railways, and gives figures showing to what extent equipments have been fitted with such appliances up to June 30, 1893. It is stated that all new cars ordered by the railways are being supplied with automatic couplers and large proportion with air brakes. The accidents of the year show little decrease on account of the use of automatic couplers, and such a result is not expected until more uni formity in such appliances has been attained.
 Horses Cremated.
 HoPKINsvnLE, Ky, Dec. 6.-The large stock stable of S. H. Perkins, situated