The herald., 1897-12-24
RAILROAD EARNINGS
WE'RE NOT DEVOTED TO ROAD
EXTENSION
Few Miles of New Track Were Laid
During the Year-California
Heads the List

Heads the List
CHICAGO. Dec. 22.-The Railway Age
makes the following statement OF new
railway lines built in the year 1897:
While the year 1897 has shown larger
railway earnings and better business
than it's immediate predecessors, the
marked Improvement in the financial
outlook did not begin early enough in
the year for the completion of many new
railway undertakings and SO it now ap-
pears that although much construction
work is under way the mileage of track
actually laid is but little greater than
that for the preceding year. The lowest
point in twenty years. in respect to rail-
way building, was reached in 1895. when
only 1909 miles of track were added, and
1897 has done little better, the total now
reported to us being 1864 miles.
California stands first with 210 miles
laid on different roads, and no track was
laid in New Hampshire. Rhode Island,
Connecticut Maryland Kansas. Ne
braska. New Mexico. Indian territory,
Arizona. Wyoming and Nevada, and five
other states barely escaped from this
category by getting credit for from half
a mile to q mile and quarter each. At
the commencement of 1898 the United
States will have 1S4,464 miles of COM
pleted railway.
TOURIST TRAFFIC
ST LOUIS. Dec. 22-The meeting of
the Western Passenger association ad-
journed this evening. The effort to
further regulate the sale of homeseek
ers' excursion tickets failed and these
tickets will be sold on the old plan dur
ing the winter by the southern and
southwestern lines. though the northern
and northwestern lines will drop them.
To stop further decentralization of rates
at Kansas City it was agreed to cease all
dealings with scalpers there and to
cease paying excessive commissions to
agents.
The California rate situation was re-
ferred to a committee of western and
Missouri river lines, with instructions
to report in the near future.
Nothing was done regarding the North
Pacific coast situation.
The association allowed a rate of 1-S
cents on the certificate plan to the Stock
Growers convention, which meets in
OeHNef III JdHudTy.
A rate of 1-S was allowed for parties
of not less than 100 to the spring meet
ing of the Merchants and Travellers
convention in St. Louis and Chicago. In
parties of not less than 500 rate of 1-5
was allowed.
GRAIN RATES REDUCED
NEW YORK, Dec. 22.-The board of
managers of the Joint Traffic associa-
ton made ruling reducing the rate
from 22H to 30 cents on domestic and
export wheat oats, rye and barley and
their products and corn products from
Chicago eastbound. A reduction from
221a to 1l1a cents propositional rate on
export corn only from all points on the
east bank of the Mississippi, to cover
shipments from points beyond. The new
rates take effect Jan. lst.
RATES ADVANCED
SAN FRANCISCO. Dec. 22.-The traf-
fc department of the Southern Pacific
company published to day an amend
ment to its eastbound commodity tariff
containing many changes in its rates on
California products to New Orleans and
New York. The new rates, which are
all advances of existing rates, apply on
shipments via the Sunset Gulf line and
line from Galveston.
These advances are made, according
to the explanation of the freight officials
of the Southern Pacific for the reason
that the prevailing rates have not given
the carriers any profit on the business.
The new schedule of rates is to take
effect Jan. 10th.
NORTHERN PACIFIC LANDS
WASHINGTON, Dec. 22.-Acting Sec
retary Ryan of the interior department
has disapproved clear list No. 43. en-
bracing lands selected within the Walla
Walla land district, Washington, on ac-
count of the grant to the Northern Pa
cific Railroad company. Lands located
opposite the portion of the road between
Portland, Ore, and Tacoma. Wash,
were specified as a basis for the selec-
tion. Some doubt appears to exist
whether there is a deficiency in the grant
to the Northern Pacific, as has been re-
ported to congress, and in November
the general land office held that there
is an approximate deficiency in the en-
tire grant of $50, ,j73 acres"
THE STATE COMMISSIONERS
SAN FRANCISCO, Dec. cat the
meeting of the board of railroad commits
sioners today Chief Counsel c. N. Sterrv
and General Manager w. G.. Nevin of the
Southern California railroad appeared
to explain why the company had pulled
up four miles of its track between Ran
chita and Falbrook on its Temecula
canyon line
Several days ago, F. F. Adams, fruit
grower near Ranchita, complained to the
commissioners that the removal of the
track meant ruin for himself and other
orchardists.
Messrs. Nevin and Sterry contended
that the Temecula canyon line was uu-
profitable; that the four miles of track
removed cost $4,000 a year to maintain:
that Mr.. Adams was the only person who
could possibly be injured by the removal
of the track, and that the damage to him
could not exceed 500 year. The COM
missioners decided to ask Mr.. Adams to
file formal complaint so that the mat
ter can be investigated under guidance
Of the attorney general.
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