Fort Worth gazette. [volume] (Fort Worth, Tex.) 1891-1898, 1895-01-11
THE NEW YORK RAILROADS.
ANstAh nnroRr or THE STATE
COMMISSIONERS.
There Has heca large Falling on
In tho Gross isasdinss, hut Not
So Much as In the ycSt-some In
terestins Figures.

New York. Jan. io--The annual report
OF the state board OF railroad commits
sioners-samuel Beardsley, Michael
Richard and Alfred C. Chapin--was
submitted to the legislature in AL
bany yesterday. 1t takes rather
gloomy view of the general railroad
situation. but says OF the railroads In
New York state;
THE railroads of this state have suf-
fened from loss Of business, but not in
as great degree as those OF the west.
The perils and violence that assailed
many other railroads did not visit this
state. 1t cannot, however, be doubted
that any form OF business disaster,
public disorder, OF popular sentiment
Whlch concerns one part Of the country
must concern all other parts. 1t is EVIL
dent, therefore, that the present is not
time to urge special progress In di-
rectlons involving large outlay.
lhnse questions before the board
call for the expenditure of great
amounts Of money by the companies.
Two OF these,the adoption OF automatic
coupers upon all freight ears and Of air
brakes upon all such cars, are well
crossing question, 10 not yet embodied
IN legislation. on all of these uuas-
tons the general attitude OF the COM
pnnles toward the public and toward
the hoard In recent years has been
one of attention and cooperation rath-
er than Of no tility or even of reluc-
lance. At the same time, II has been
made clear TO the members OF the
board that the combined burden which
hs.1 la t,fa To-.
rying out the several propositions is
of such gravity as TO entitle them at
such a season as the present 10 ex-
IRENE consideration. For these reasons
such discussion and recommendation as
are here submitted upon the grade
crossing question are Intended to pro-
mote a final and just solution, but not
to enforce an immediate or burdensome
method Of solution"
The annual report of the board for
the year ending June 30, 1893. included
in It's summary the operations of the
entire Philadelphia and Reading sys-
tenn. This corporation has ceased orer-
ating any Of the railroads OF this state
and the report for the year ending
June 30.1S9i, contains only so much NJ
what was Included in last years report
Of the Philadelphia and Reading system
as relates to the lines of this state that
comparison between the aggregates Of
the two years OF any value, 1t has been
necessary, therefore. to eliminate from
the summary of the year ending June
80, 1893, that portion OF the Philadelphia
and Reading report not included in
this years figures. This comparison
shows a loss in gross earnings from
operation, based upon the corrected
figures In 1898. Of Sl0399, 5ll.S3, or about
per cent. The operating expenses
have. however, been decreased $685.
3i045, LAYING a loss in net earnings
| from operation OF A,36i ,l7l.3S. showing
/ that reduced earnings have been more
than half provided for by economy in
! operation.
Capital stock shows an increase this
/ year of s21, TAG, S5i2O, and the per cent
| age of dividends declared remains the
| same as In 1898, viz. 269. The increase
in funded and floating debt has been
| 1886. O95. 1890; Increase in cost OF road
and equipment, 2.012, 32S.1S, an in
| crease in length OF road In this state,
main line. 9939 miles. The decrease
in tons of freight carried one mile was
| 2,442, 33s,0 47, and the increase in num-
| Der of passengers carried one mile
was 712,62s,522. The average earnings
| per passenger per mile have decreased
| 027, and the average earnings per ton
OF freight per mile have increased 00l5,
In spite OF the financial difficulties
! of the past year and the drafts upon
the resources OF the railroads, their
physical condition has been well main
tanned. In many directions It has been
positively improved. All OF the roads
are under a constant inspection, which
includes a careful examination of their
equipment. roadbed, bridges and ma
sonry structures. Defects or needed
improvements are noted, and the COM
panles are Immediately notified there
OF, and have invariably compiled with
the recommendations of the board
Railroad companies are improving the
method of application of brakes for
high-speed passenger trains.
The board renews Is recommends
lions of last year in regard to the ad'
visibility of equipping passenger cars
on other than single-track railroads
with a mufiier for the safety valve, and
with a muffer for the safety valve, and
device to protect the check valve IN
case of collision.