The Providence news. (Providence [R.I.]) 1891-1906, 1897-11-16
THE BALTIMORE & OHIO.
Seventy-Flrst Annual Report Mad: at
Yesterdays Meeting.

The list annual report of the Baltimore &c
Ohio Railroad Company, submitted yesterday
at the meeting of the stockholders, shows
gross earnings for the year ending June 30
1897, OF s25, ,5S1, l22 81, an increase of SlG37,
8407l over the lprevious year, and s2,764,
$40 .more than in 1895. The freight earn
ings were SIS, 336, S5l.S5, an increase Of 81, ,5s
lS0.03, hich increase Is ascribed TO the
many improvements and large increase in
equipment afforded the patrons of tie line by
the receivers and to n general and intelivent
effort TO increase the traffic Of the road The
passenger revenue was s. 059, ,O0l. 90, a decrease
OF $3.50 94l.T or s0,90i65 more than was
earned in 1885, The miscellaneous earnings
increased s37s, 1915, Of which increase the
elevators contributed s326, 80, they having
earned s5l4 1911 in 1897 as against slS. 855 70
in 1896.
The total expenses OF the line were $50, ,Ol2,-
093.sl, an increase of e, 42S. .e73 l6 This in.
crease is very frankly explained by the state
ment Of the large sums required in mainten.
ance of way and maintenance Of equipment.
The receivers have replaced a large number
Of old bridges built many years ago, with
modern steel structures capable of carrying
the heaviest trains. Ii was found absolutely
necessary 10 arch large number OF tunnels
and TO place in the track much more than the
normal amount OF new steel rails, cross ties
and ballast. As an illustration tof such ex-
penditures, IL may be mentioned that the en-
tire Washington branch was relaid with steel
rail and the ties largely renewed and "A large
amount of stone ballast put in, the entire
earnings of this branch having been used TO
put It's roadway in perfect condition.
In the report OF the general manager is
found detailed statement of these oxpendi.
lures which were charged 20 maintenance
of way. A portion of the general increase
was caused 10y the unusual expense for main
tcnance of equipment, the receivers having
placed i'm thorough repair all of the cars and
engines Of the company which could be
profitably put in condition. These cxpendi.
lures amounted to $5Os, ,G}s03 more than in
1896, and to 81, i2o, 1875 ls more than in 1896
The deficit for the year was 81. III, 100 II,
but had 10 not been for ths increase in ex.
psnscs of maintenance OF way and mainten.
anco of equipment the earnings would have
been more than sufficient 20 have paid the
interest on the bonded indebtedness OF the
road.
The aggregate expenses for construction
and betterments for the twelve months have
been 81 Sa5, 40 ~. an increase OF ST. 1885, 960 CO.
and this amount has been charged 10 the
different Investment accounts TO which tho
expenditures appertained. The trust fund
derived from the sale OF terminal mortgage
bonds, the Of which T. restricted 90 max
ing certain improvements, WAS used suhstan.
TALLY st two points namely, Pittsburg Glen.
wood terminal. ana the shops. round house
yards. etc ut Cumberland. The gra,leS and
alignment Of the road letworu baltimore
and cumberland have been much imurtvrI
aud a. n consequence Df this Improvement
the train loads ON these divisions have bpcn
increased az least tn per cent.
At Locus, Point, new docks and two berths