The Scranton tribune. [volume] (Scranton, Pa.) 1891-1910, 1895-08-29
RAILROAD NOTES.

Taylor IL to have new depot to re-
place the present dilapidated Della
ware, Lackawanna and Western depot.
The Railroad Young Mems Christian
association team defeated the club from
the car accountants Office yesterday by
score OF % to IA.
One OF the Pennsylvania big Mogul
engines recently hauled out OF the
yards at Williamsport In one train 126
loaded cars, the train being nearly one
mile In length.
ana western Switchmen were laid OFF
recently. and II IL rumored that their
only orense was being members Of the
Switchmen's union.
II Is rumored In railroad circles that
the Pennsylv cania and Lehigh Valley
railroad companies are going to form
an agreement by which the latter COM
pany Is to gain entrance into Philadel-
phia over the tracks of the former COM
pany.
The Northern Pacific railway Is be-
ing practically rebuilt. the receivers
having decided to make a number of
improvements. Throughout Montana
all wooden bridges are being replaced
with steel structures. while wooden
trsetles are being replaced with earth
work, where practicable, and all heavy
grades reduced.
President ingalls,, of the Big Four,
has given instructions to the effect
that, wherever possible. II married
man Is killed In the company's employ.
his wife or children. II old enough.
should be given employment to aid In
supporting the family. A number of
wives Of deceased employees, under the
order. are now In the company's SER
vice. .P'
The demand for faster time made by
the public on all trunk line manage
| ments has made 1t necessary for the
latter to look carefully to the condition
of the roadbeds. Grade crossings of
every kind are now placed under the
category of things that must go, and
when new road attempts to cross an
| old established trunk line on a grade a
conflict between the two corporations
Is unavoidable. The law Is beginning
to see. the danger of justifying the
construction Of such dangerous cross
ings, and the opposing line generally
manages to secure n permanent in
junction against its rival. Every grade
crossing In the state. whether II Is
| caused by a wagon road or a railroad
| crossing trunk line Is menace to
life and property. and the action of the
railroad companies. while 1t may be
termed selfish, and is to some extent
Is nevertheless just.
| Complete returns Of the gross and
net earnings for the first half OF 1896
are not at hand. and the exhibit Is sat
isfactory In view of the condition OF
general business during that period
1t Is to be remembered, however. that
comparison is made with period OF
great business depression and small
totals In the previous year, and this
| accounts In a measure for the large
Increase In earnings reported this year
The revival in general business in 1896
did not make any material headway
until May, having been retarded by the
unsatisfactory character Of the ma
tional finances. and the improvement
only assumed practical shape after the
contract with the bond syndicate to
replenish and maintain the gold re-
serve. It is encouraging to note that
the corner has been turned and that a
period of great prosperity Is now in
sight. The statement Of earnings for
the six months ending June 30 covers
III roads and 119, 1853 miles of line. and
shows total gross earnings Of S3Sl u.s.
437, compared with $36S, .25f
in 1894, an increase of $l3,-
134.1s1. or Sls per cent; operating
expenses were $271 ,962. 500. against $266.
10, lSS an increase OF $b,S36,1lO, or 2.lg
per cent, and net earnings amounted
to $109,Sl5,53s. against $102. SIS, ,067, an
increase Of $7,297,471. or 7.12 per cent.
As showing the small recovery OF last
years enormous loss. the decrease In
the first half of 1894 from the totals for
! the same period in 1893 are given The
falling off In gross earnings Of 179 roads
amounted to $6s.79O,O6l, and the de-
crease In net earnings to $23.595, ,O36 so
that the recovery In net earnings in
| 1895 has been less than 81 per cent.