The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1898-01-06
THE STATE RAILROADS.
ANNUAL REPORT OF THE RAIL-
ROAD OONMIssIONERa

TIE Reads IN Better PhysicaI Conaitien Than
Bver-Deereaso In Grens EarninEp-The
Graae-Crsssing aw-Aocider Recsrd FOR
the Year Ths Crowded street Carr.
Albany. Jan. 6.-The fifteenth annual report
Of the Board Of Railroad Commissioner was
presented to the Legislature to-day. It says
that. owing to the expenditure Of practically all
the increase in earnings In 1890, nearly Sl1,-
100000. in renewals, tho roads OF the State
were, at tho beginning Of tho year. in bettor
physical condition than at any other time dur
ing tho disastrous business depression of the
last few years. Tho gross earnings Of tho last
fiscal year, S2O4,2 52, 815, show q loss of nearly
s8.O0O,00O as compared with that OF 1896,
though the FIRST quarter Of the present year
indicates q gain which, IL maintained, will
mako 1893 exceed In railroad earnings any yeay
In tho last decade except 1892. During the
year capital stock was increased 80, 23s. 1865
and the funded debt S2s. 89s, ls5,4O; other liza
bilities were decreased 81. 1856. s74.2s. and road
and equipment were increased $19,847 ,093.s4.
Tho percentage OF dividends on capital stock
was 2.45, against 2.49 In 1896. There have
been no rate disturbances and no strikes on rail
roads. Tho strikes in the coal regions affected
railroads considerably. however.
Great prominence is given In the report to the
passage Of the Grade.C Crossing law, which. 1t IL
said. was only secured by tho persiste t efforts
OF all the members OF the commission. 1t 10
effect It viii be necessary for the Legislature to
make an appropriation for the States ropor.
tion Of the expense Of changing existing grade
crossings commensurate with the magnitude Of
100000 annually for q like purpose, and has
set aside for the work in New York State the
coming year. especially in view Of the fact that
no appropriation was made BY the last Legisla.
The board is convinced that tho Highway law
should be amended In such manner, as TO Compel
Highway commissioners to remove brush. weeds,
and other distractions. and to trim trees. SO
as to give a better view at railroad cross.
proper distances from crossings is recommend.
cd, as 10 also the adoption of o standard cross
Ing sign nu board for rail-. all SSre 9s 81 ,.,,v.,,.
crease in Goth killed and injured. No passen-
gers were killed from causes hey ond their own
moving trains, SSo while walking On tracks Il
stations going to or from trains, and one by fall
i iaFFe aII rs. a So Ss " s Z 1St as t 81 Re- result Ehe or p %sss 1i
s sss' az ,SIa,. ,qsiarSa To-, TSs !, 'oi H. fii IS ;ssSs
great majority OF these accidents are found to
number killed on the tracks was $40. injured
l16. All were trcspassers. Steps have been
t tsHsn tho to obtain obtain sSr9Ias sos and ~ accurate ss9nns r Tss ms.
ports received are. killed "a. injured 323.
Regarding the crowding OF street cars the re-
Tho board is convinced that the number
OF persons that may be permitted TO ride on
the. cars OF street surface roads should DO lin
tied by law. and that the penalty for a violation
OF the law should be severe and promptly en-.
forced. No greater number than can b. seated
and conveniently stand In the spaces between
the seats should be allowed on the cars. Pas.
sengors should not be permitted TO stand upon
either platform of a car operated by mechanical
traction. and now that all cars are soon to DO
operaie cd by electricity in the metropolitan dis.
trict the necessity for lessening the danger of
the traffic by preventing o~vercrowding is APP
parent"