Birmingham state herald., 1896-02-01

total of S41 accidents to persons. Of this number there were 4 passengers killed and 77 injured. There were 30 employees killed and 584 injured, and the accidents to others amounted to 60 killed and 36 injured.
 The summary would show for the year 1895:
 Passengers killed, 5; injured, 47. Elm ployes killed, 25; injured, 706. Others killed, 51; injured. 10I. Total killed, S1; injured, S60.
 For 1894:
 Passengers killed 4; injured. 47. Elm p1oyes killed, 30; injured, 5s4. Others killed. SO; injured, S6. Total killed, 94; injured, 747.
 Of the 15S accidents occurring to 'oth- ers," 49 of the Killed and s4 of the injured are reported as trespassers on the com- panies' trains or right of way, making a total of 133 persons killed and injured by their own heedlessness.
 The number of passengers carried in the state by the railroad companies yield ing revenue to the companies were E. 064,623, and as there were killed and AZ injured, the average would be one death to every 412,924.6, and the injured would be one to every 43,92S persons transported on the trains.
 The number of passenger train miles were 3,532,73S and that of the mixed trains were 530, 535, giving train mileage in the state of 063273 over which pas sengers were carried, and has an average of one passenger killed for every S12,- 654.6, and one injured for every So,4523 miles travelled.
 The number of employees reported as actually connected with the train ser vice in the state are 2142, and those killed amounted to twenty-five, and those in- jured reached FOG, making an average of one killed to every S5 17.25, and one in- jured to every 12.253 persons employed In this capacity. The number of train miles in, the state were 12,221 ,981, giving an average of one employe killed to every 488,879 6.25, and one injured to every 17,311 train miles. The mileage of con struction trains is omitted In the above.
 This affords the following ratio of ac- cidents for the year ending June 30, 1895, in the state of Alabama:
 To passengers-One killed to every 412,924.6 carried, and to every SIP 546 miles travelled. One injured to every 43. BPS carried, and to every S6,452.S miles travelled.
 To employes-One killed to every S5 17.25 in train service, and to every 48S,S79 625 miles run. One injured to every 3 12.253 in train service, and to every F, 311 miles run.
 The total number of persons employed in this state by railroad companies is 12,646. In computing the above statement only such employees as are brought into contact with the moving trains have been used, viz: Enginemen, firemen, conduc- tors other trainmen, switchmen and flag men; the remaining number of employees, with the exception of general officers, are not on or about the trains when in mo- tion.
 Switching Charges.
 complaint in writing, very largely signed by the business men of Mobile, 1aI x,r;t ip uyhi If sented that the switching charges made by the railroad companies whose lines of road enter the city, were too high, and asked that we should take Jurisdiction of this complaint. We inspected in person the several main lines of railroad enter ing the city, also their sidetracks and examined quite number of witnesses concerning the methods of business and the reasona bleness of the switching charges We found that $3 per car was the uniform. switching charge to all points in the city reached by their lines. After a careful examination of the ques- ton of jurisdiction, which was denied by the railroad companies, we were satis- fled that we had the power to consider and pass upon the issues presented In the petition, and that 1t was our duty to do so- Accordingly, after deliberation, we fixed the switching charge at $2 per car, which was and is in our judgment, fair and reasonable charge to be made by the railroad companies for this service. The rapidly increasing commercial inn portance of the city of Mobile was con sidered by us in fixing this rate, and we feel that in this ruling we have made no mistake.
 Condition of the Railroad Properties of the
 State.
 Ii gives us pleasure to report marked improvement in the physical conditition of the railroads in this state in the way of road beds and safe tracks. The safety of travel, the easy and rapid movement of heavy and constantly increasing traf- fic and the interests of the owners of the railroads alike demanded this improve ment During the last year large sums of money have been expended in making these highways strong and safe. Many of the old style trestles so long in use have been removed and now strong and massive entertainments support the tracks in their stead. Steel bridges in many cases have been substituted for wooden bridges This condition of improvement has come from necessityas The net earn ings for the years operations would not justify this outlay of money, for many of the roads have barely made enough to pay fixed charges. while some have op- erated at loss; but confidence in bet ter business in the future has inspired a hope of future profit with gradual re- turn of business prosperity, based upon the prospective bountiful harvests of the field, the forests and the mines. and the rapidly increased development of man. ufacturing industries throughout the whole country establishes well-founded belief in improved business conditions in the near future. The depression in business and shrinkage in values have prevented and postponed the erection of passenger depots in some localities to adequately provide for the comfort, con- venience and accommodation of the trav- cling public. It has been considered a matter of paramount importance to first. provide for the expeditions. rapid and safe movement of travel and traffic. Being confronted by these conditions, we have endeavored in otr work of supervision, not to burden the public car- riers with expenditure of money further, than the absolute necessities have re- quired in each particular case. Hence, [ in our inspection of the railroads prop serty of the state, made from. time to time, we have recommended only such inn provements as we have been impelled by a sense of duty to the public to require. One of the most conspicuous results of improvement in business Is the rapid disappearance of receivers of those roads which were forced into bankruptcy dur