The diamond drill. (Crystal Falls, Iron County, Mich.) 1887-1996, 1897-01-23
JAPANESE RAILROADS.
Remarkable Development OF ORR
entail Industry and Progress.
Both Public and Private Roads Successful
Effect of tho Chinese War Upon
observation-disclosures Mile
age and Satisfactory Profits.

railway bureau OF Japan for the year
ending March 81, 1895, gives some inter-
esting Information. The continuation
of work ON the Osu and HolSuriku lines
was the principal new construction UNI
dertaken during the year, and the prog
ress OF these works, owing TO the vigi-
lance of the ovcrseers, advanced vrry
steadily, especially on the Aomori-Hiro-
salSi section, SO that that section was
opened for straific I'm December of the
present fiscal year.
Private railways have striven to cS-
tend the scope and area of their bust
ness, while applications for new com
panies have been forwarded in rapid
succession. Already, during the year
under review, 1877 miles have been
opened for traffic after having been
inspected by the bureau. The total ex-
tent of railways throughout Japan
amounts to over 2,10O miles, and rail
way communication from Hirosaki
westward to Hiroshima has been com
pleted, thereby considerably promot-
ing facilities for communication.
In glancing over the business features
OF the state railways, however, though
the result was extremely satisfactory
during the year, the chief cause that
brought about such a result cannot be
regarded as q permanent feature. For
though receipts were unusually aug
mcnted, the volume OF goods carried,
owing 10 the war, was less, and that
despite the transportation Of stores
and ammunition. Passengers showed
large increase in number, but as many
OF these were connected with the war
the increment OF ordinary passengers
Is small. all things considered, and the
permanent passenger traffic has not
risen in volume. The chief reason why
receipts were out OF proportion to the
number OF passengers and the guam
tity Of goods carried was due to the fact
that the mileage for one passenger and
for one ton OF goods was far in excess
Of ordinary years.
I'm private railways also, owing to tho
increased demand which the war EN-
tailed upon their services. 20 the favor
able market price of coal. and also 10
the iusuflicienoy OF steamers and the
consequent suspension Of maritime
transportation. the condition of bust
ness was very satisfactory. At the
same time the war having frightened the
money market, private railways were
obliged TO postpone the date Of pay
ment Of subscription, or, in consequence
OF the rise in the market price Of com
modities, postpone the work OF con-
struction, and in these ways must have
suffered not n little in respect OF de-
vclopmcnt.
On March 81, 1895, the state lines had
$50 miles Of railway. 100 stations and
2,957 vehicles and these, compared with
the preceding year, show an increase Of
% miles in railways, 3 in stations and
317 in vehicles.
The INCREASED length OF route and
number OF stations was due TO the
Aomori-Hrosnki section having been
opened for traffic. while the increase
in the total prolongation was due TO the
laying of double track and sidngs,
and also the prolongation Of sidings
IN station yards, an in consequence OF
the opening OF the Aomori-Hirosaki
section. The increase in the number
OF vehicles was occasioncd by the great
or activity i'm traffic, which necessitates
the purchase or building and setting
up OF new vehicles. Even after all
these additions the needs Of the public
arc far from being met.
Compared with the previous year The
gross traffic receipts show an increase
Of l5 per cent; coaching receipts. 12.s
Pu cent. and wagon receipts, 27S per
cent. As to the volume OF traffic, The
number Of passengers shows an in-
crease OF 3.04 per cent and OF goods
diminution Of ga per cent. The
train mileage shows an increase Of IL
per cent passengers 1874 per cent. on
on average, and that Of / ton of goods,
30 per cent Gross railway receipts
during the year under review were
..214.9Gl yen, while gross expenditures
were 4,o9o,577 yen; the two items being
balanced, a net profit Of 3,i75,377 yen
remains.
With regard 20 private railways, pro-
sisional charters were granted TO the
Kyoto Railway company and % others,
representing 903 miles Of railways aud
ao,530.sa2 yen Of capital; while pcrmc-
ncnt charters have been granted to thu
ilntsuse Railway company and four
others, their aggregate mileage and
capital amounting To 255 miles and TO-
c2555o yen The number Of companies
to which temporary charters have been
granted this year shows an increase ar
20 over Tint Of the previous year, an in
crease IN mileage OF SIN miles. and In
amount OF capital Of 96.sn2.2l2 yen.
The number Of companies 10 which per-
manent charters have been grnntcd di-
minished by 6, but mileage shows an IN
crease of III miles. and tho amount OF
capital gain Of 5.Oi7, 800 yen.
ForetaSte OF tho Future.
10 Is open mills sure enouoh, "for
the free and unrestricted employment