Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1895-02-14

gIESs ) g ! : Z
|. IIlll|IIII|||I Il II
.|II22IIII1ljj' !, Il.
In consequence of the unfavorable re-
suits. both gross and net for the year
ending June 80. 1893 Including the six
months ending December 81. 1892. the re
auctions in wages became necessary. ana
were Loyalty accepted by you. ard by
other employees.
The general conditions affecting the
earning power of railways in the South
are not now so favorable as in former
years as will appear from few leading
facts. TO which your attention Is directed.
Decrease of Earnings Per Mile OF
Railways in the south.
The gross earnings per mile OF road
for all the railways in the South Atlahuc
and Gulf States were:
For year ending June ~,
1883 ..........................s 44O3 per mile.
For year ending June 30.
1880 OBSERVATION-DISCLOSURES. H,ilp per inile.
For year ending June 80.
1893 NEUTRALITY-SUSPICIOUS.. N,545 per HlIe'
For the year ending June 80, 1873. the
gross earnings Of the Southern railway
lines were 1871 per mile.
The net earnings per mile of road for ALI
the railways In the South Atlantic and
Gulf States were:
For year ending June 30,
1883 ......................... 1851 per mile.
For year ending June 80.
1890 Observation-Disclosures. N.3o} per mile.
For year ending June 80.
1893 OBSERVATION-DISCLOSURES ~ IL per nile
For year ending June 30. 1893. the net
earnings of the Southern railway lines
were Sl1S6 per mile.
II thus appears that the earnings OF
the Southern railway lines per mile Of
road are slightly less than the average
for all roads in that section Of the South.
The Interstate Commerce Commissions
statistics for the year ending june 1891,
are not yet published. but the earnings
OF the roads in the Southern railway
system for that period have been even
lower than for 1873.
Using the average figures for all lines
in the South Atlantic and Gulf States. IL
is seen that throughout the whole of that
section of the South served by the lines
Of the Southern Railway Company. the
gross earnings per mile of road-the ne
cessary basis Of the prosperity Of a rail
way. and Of it's power to pay wages
show the slight increase OF only about
three 90 per cent in 1893. as compared
with 1873. while the net earnings per mile
Of road. show a decrease of more than
twenty-five (2D per cent. These ten years
have marked thu greatest industrial de-
velopment in the history OF the South,
which development eliminated in 1870.
and WAS largely aided bv. II not chiefly
due TO- the activity and growth of the
railways
During this period the railways in that
section have greatly improved their ia
cilties for safe. prompt, ana economical
transportation. much to the convenience
| and benefit OF the public. and 10 the adj
vantage Of employees upon trains.
This has been done. not only without
returns. but with absolute loss, TO the
owners. while the railway companies have
been compelled to assume heavier re-
sponsiblli,ies. amt have been held more
strictly accountable in their obligations
to the public
The cost Of this has been very great;
the employees have received the chief
| benefit. and yet they have not been called
upon to share the loss until recently. and
! then only to "A d!sproportionaiely small
| extent
Decrease In Earnings Fer Ton and
Per Passenger Per Mile of Rail
ways In the south.
FREIGHTS
The average freight per ton per mile
In the Nirgnias and the Caroinas were;
| For the year ending June %,
1890 OBSERVATION-DISCLOSURES. .A4 cent.
"'For the year ending June 30.
1894 OBSERVATION-DISCLOSURES. 100 cent.
reduction OF Is per cent
! and in the States Of Georgia. Florida, Ala
bama. Mississippi, kentucky. and Tonnes
For the year ending June 90,
1879 Observation-Disclosures. .6l cent.
s'For the year ending June 30,
1894 OBSERVATION-DISCLOSURES. .h'5 cent.
a reduction Of II per cent
The average freight earnings per ton
per mile on the lines now composing the
Southern railway system were;
.For the year ending June 30.
1888 OBSERVATION-DISCLOSURES. N cent.
For the year ending June 80.
1894 ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS. W cent.
a reduction OF q per cent,
"' See foot-note. bottom Of column
PASSENGER
The average rate per passenger mile
on all lines in the Nirginias and the car
Olhias were: .. =, 10,
vor the year ending June 30. 1899. .24A cts.
,.For the year ending June 80. 9A.2SH cts.
a reduction of per cent.
,,d IN all lines in Georgia. Florida. Ala
bama. Mississippi. Kentucky, and Ten
nessee:
For the year ending June 30. 1890. .2465 cts.
..For the year ending June 80, @..2Sls cts.
reduction Of per cent
The average rate per passenger PEI
mile on the lines now composing 'he
southern railway system were:
,ror the wear ending June 20. lssS...2.S cts.
For the wear ending June 30. 1894. .2,SS cts.
a reduction OF more than II per cent.
These reductions In rates have been
brought about largely by forces, some
commercial and some legislative, over
which the railways have no control,
though they are partly due to the EFFORTS
of the railway companies TO secure ahc
foster new Industries. and in times OF
depression 10 keep existing ones aive.
The lower rates have been accompanied
bv "A large decrease In gross earnings.
and In earnings per mile. as ALREADY
shown, and have, therefore, not been
compensated for by increased volume OF
traffic.
II ought to be generally UNDERSTOOD
that much OF the reduction In railway
earnings has been caused directly or IN
directly by ill-advised legislation or by
the action Of State railroad commissions.
and that the effects OF such reductions,
-
''From advances sheets OF the forth
coming report OF the Interstate Commerce
Commission.
'rhe first report made by the. Inter
state Commerce Commission was Tor lssS
The above comparison for the lines now
composing the Southern railway system
was. therefore. carried back 10 that date.
The plan OF combining the roads into
geographical groups was not adopted by