Crawford avalanche. (Grayling, Mich.) 1879-19??, 1896-03-05
CHEAP AND GOOD.
Service Michigan Gets from Its Rail.
Roads.

Roads.
The report Of Railroad Commissioners
Billings shows that the earnings Of Michi-
gan railroads were less in 1894 than in tho
year previous, but that all Indications
for 1895 were for an increase of profits
in all departments. He cannot complete
% figures for some time. During the
year covered by the report only one road
went into the hands of a receiver, while
two roads were sold on mortgages. reor-
ganiZed under new names and taken from
the control of their receivership.
In mentioning the incidents of the year
the commissioner says:
Not one passenger has been killed dur
ing this year by what could properly be
called railroad accident. Two. reported
as passengers, We're found, on investiga-
ton, to have been killed by their own care
essness, which goes far to prove that
safety appliances and conditions have not
been neglected. The men employed to do
railroad work are worthy of high com
mendation; their work proves that a
steadfast watchfuness has been strictly
observed in all their labor, also that they
are sober, industrious and intelligent
men,"
Rates Are Reasonable.
The people of Michigan have little, if
any, reason for complaint that railroads
are unreasonable in their charges for tie.
carrying of freight. That is not due to
legislative enactments fixing rates, for
such are more liberal than in many other
States; neither is ii due to the generosity
of our roads. Freight rates in this State
are established by conditions more bind
ing than statute law. Large lakes and
rivers nearly surround our territory, max
ing highway for cheap water transpor-
tation: and the low rates set by boats
loading at many harbors and piers on our
borders set the rates that railroads have
to meet. This competition in the carrying
trade largely relieves the State from pro.
viding n system of fixing freight rates"
Passenger rates, he says, are not SO
settled. The laws of Michigan encourage
discrimination in rates by obiging rail-
roads to sell tickets good for 1000 miles
for 33 per cent less than for a shorter
trip, which the commissioner thinks is
violation of the principles of justice. He
does not favor establishing a standard
rate of fare for all roads, but thinks that
the fares should be fixed according to the
earning capacity of the roads.
Roads In First-CIass Shape.
The annual inspection of railroads show
I'd them to be in excellent condition.
Eighty railroads filed reports during the
year, an increase Of two roads over 1894
Sixty-seven of these roads do general
railroad business. The tracks actually in
operation I'm the State makes a combined
length of 7,5G5.0S miles, During 1895
there were in course Of construction III
miles Of new track.
The cost of railroads in Michigan is
placed at $30O,62O,O2O.4 5, an increase of
S4,066, 62S.37 over the fast report The
total railroad earnings in Michigan for
the year 1894 amounted to SD, J22 1851,
or $3,929.S3 per mile of road. The earn
ings for 1893 were $36, 461, 65S. 96. a de-
crease for 1894 of 1908 per cent The
operating expenses for 1894 were $23.-
OH, 690.47, or $3,1S7.2S per mile. de-
crease of $5,677, 266.75, or 10. 10 per cent
compared with the previous year. Nine
companies reported insufficient earnings to
cover expenses, as follows: An Sable and
Northwestern, $12,075.29; Chicago, De-
troit and Canada Grand Trunk Junction,
$40, 764.70; Indiana and Lake Michigan,
$7,25S92; Lowell and Hastings, $175.15:
Midland and Northern, 81 ,O43. 20; Mineral
Range. $24, S37.57: Gogebic and Montreal
River wisconsin CentraD, $262.3O; Bear
Lake and Eastern, $1,043.G3; Quincy and
Torch Lake, $1.65; total, $97,362.91.:
Big Decrease In Accidents.
The total number of accidents invo,v-
ing loss of life or serious bodily injury was
393, decrease of 373, or 1850 per cent.
from the year 1893. This was one acct
dent for each 2S7, 474 of miles run, and
one for each 100, 554 passengers carried.
The number of fatal accidents occurring
was 100, decrease of II from the year
previous. The number of injured was
2G4, decrease of 3O2 from the previous
report. Out Of the total Of 3g3 accidents |
1O1 resulted from trespasses, % resulted |
from drunkenness, @ from attempts to |
commit suicide and 50 resulted from un- |
avoidable contingencies. OF the 2O6 en- |
ployes killed or injured 20 were brake |
men, IL conductors, 2 baggagemen, B en- |
gineers O iremen, % laborers, IL shop- |
men, ~ yardmen, Is unclassified.
The taxes payable to the State Treas
urer for the business of the year 1894 |
amount 10 $676, 1868, decrease of |
S134. 020.47 from 1893. Taxable earnings |
were S20,537, 1871; average per mile of |
road, $3,901.S1; taxes per mile of road. |
5000; per cent of taxation on earnings. |
2.2S The amount reported as invested in |
railroad sys stems operating In the State is
$431 $50 III, or $20,537 per mile of road. !
The number of shares iosued IL a. 323 Ok