The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1896-04-06
P, D. & +. ROAD REPORT
JOINT RECEIVERS TO FILE THEIR
ANNUAL STATEMENT TODAY.
Earnings Have Been Increased and
Operating Expenses Decreased
The Condition Of the Property.

E. o. Hopkins and z. p. Huston. receivers
of the Peoria, Decatur & Evansville railway,
will to-day file their third annual report in
the United States Court The report shows
the physical and financial condition Of the
property during the year ending Dec. 81, 1895.
1t is shown that, notwithstanding the fact
that the general business conditions inn
proved but little during the year, the earn
ings Of the road were considerably in ex-
cess of the previous year, due to the addi-
tional and improved passenger train service,
the excellent corn crop and the general de-
velopment of contiguous territory that has
not heretofore contributed to the earnings of
the road. For the year 1895 the gross earn
ings of the road were s911, 1862, as COM
pared with $500, 99S.4S for the year 1894. AL
though the increase in the gross earnings
over the previous year amounted to $50, 77S.14,
the receivers show that the road was operat-
ed at a much less expense A statement Of
the operating expenses shows a decrease Of
$33, 26S.2f. These expenses, including better
ments for 1895, were s61s, 6O9.s4. The net earn
ings Of the road show an increase Of
$S4C46.3S, or 4019 per cent.
After providing for interest amounting to
$170,s97.s9. taxes s49025.OO and rental of
tracks, Peoria and Decatur terminals, $780,
1n.2s, total fixed charges s25O,O64.12 for the
year, the receivers held a surplus from OPP
Grafton of s4S. 1926. and including $4,000 in
dividends declared by the Peoria & Pekin
leaves a total surplus of $5S, 102. sc 10 be car
ried to the credit of profit and loss account
The receivers say the expenditures on the
roadway, particularly In the matter OF STEEL
ties and ballast, were not as liberal as de-
sired, 1t being the purpose of the manage
ment to overcome, curing the year, the
40 ixnr In in
excess of receipts. To accomplish this the
expenditures were kept below the point that
cond to the best the interest of the
during n' the report year for s9s' ssrassurss
earned While tr ths
ings from passenger traffic aggregate $218,-
84.7S. 1t cost the receivers $, 1864 a mile
previous year were sl,s7O1s a mile. The
report shows that at the time the receivers
took hold Of the road there were equipment
increased to s,6s3.6s This amount was re-
duced in 1894 and 1895 TO $l6747.0S, and the
receivers expect during the present year. by
naming indebtedness against the equipment
On the main line S,646 cross ties were pur-
chased and put down during 1885, and on the
Chicago division 1871 ties were laid. Con-
tracts have been let for 10000 cross ties for
the main line and 1900 for the Chicago di-
vision. Good gravel beds have been opened,
dllu IL 10 pldiliAC0 W ABOUT
fifty miles OF track the coming sea
son at an expense not exceeding
slS,0O0 The road has twenty-nine engines,
eleven of which are in excellent repair The
quadrennial weighing of the United States
mail in 1895 resulted in the compensation
from the government being increased from
$24, 62S SO to so, 1872 per annum. The express
revenue remains unchanged. In the depart
ment of litigation several damage suits were
brought against the road. but the receivers
say these claims have been adjusted, with but
one exception.
The receivers report Is accompanied by a
tabulated statement from Auditor c. w. Nc
CURE showing in detail the financial condi-
ton OF the road. According to the report of
the auditor the road carried 364, 166 passen-
gers i'm 1895 and 3lS, 226 passengers during the
previous year. Twenty-six thousand and four
hundred cash fares were collected in 1895
and 3O7 S04 tickets sold. The report is re-
garded as one credtable to the general man
agement of Mr.. Hopkins.