Delaware gazette and state journal. (Wilmington, Del.) 1883-1902, 1898-09-01
RAILROAD EARNINGS AND EXPENSES

The gross earnings of the railways of
the United States for tho year ending
June goth, 1857, as reported for an
operated mileage of 1S3,26495, were
81, 1879, 0S9,7T3. In comparison with the
preceding year this amount shows de-
crease in gross earnings of $sS,070,6O3..
The sources of income comprised in
gross earnings from operation for the
year were passenger revenue, S25l,-
135,927, descrease as compared with the
previous year, $15 ,426,6 SOC; mail $3.50, 754,-
466, increase 81 ,374 ,647; express $24,001,-
0G6, increase $2O,GS3; other earnings,
passenger service, $685. $50, freight
revenue $772,s4Y,314, decrease $13,766,-
523; other earnir gs, freight service,
S4,200,657, increase $323,7G7 other earn,
ings from operation, including small
amount of unclassified items, $2S, sos, 1868.
The expenses of the operation of rail-
ways for the fiscal year covered by the
report were $3.50 ,524,764. This amount
is $40, Asa, $50 smaller than the CORE
spending amount for the year ending
June 30th, 1896, the operated mileage for
that year being 1871, 95264 miles.
The operating expenses of 1897 were
distributed as follows Maintenance of
way and structures. $3.50, 434 ,403, dc.
crease as compared with the preceding
year, $910,547; maintenance OF equip
ment, $l22 ,762, 1853, decrease, $10,619,64O;
conducting transportation. $432, 525, S62,
decrease, $9,601 ,720; general expenses,
$36.4si, sG9, increase, sS97,0s4. Gross
earnings per mile of line operated
averaged $6122; operating expenses,
$4,l06 These amounts are, respectively,
$l9S and $142 less than the averages for
1896. A comparative summary appears
In the report which gives an analysis OF
the operating expenses of the railways In
the United States for the years 1875 TO
1897, following the prescribed CLASH
hcatlon of operating expenses, which
embraces 90 items.
The income from operation, that is, the
amount Of gross earnings remaining after
the deduction of operating expenses, COM
monty termed net earnings, was 1899 ,505,-
000. This amount is 81, 1915, 1923 less than the
corresponding Item for the previous year.
The income from other sources, mainly
derived from leases and investments in
stocks and bonds, was $l25,000,0 l0, which,
added to the income from operation, shows
that the total income of the railways as a
whole was $4Ji ,655,019. The correspond
S0th, 1896, was s50G,sO5,OG3. The total
deductions from income were S4l3,S97,-
513. Taking this amount from total In
come leaves $Sl, 257 ,506 AS the net income
for tho year available for dividends or
increase Of surplus. The total amount
of dividends declared, including $267 1896
other payments from net income. was
$S7, 377 ,9S9, the result being deficit
from the operations of the year of $6.120,
| 4S3. An analysis OF the total deductions
from income stated above, SAB 397.5l3
shows the following classification; salaries
and maintenance Of organization, S50S,
sos; interest ON funded debt, $247 $50 $50
interest on Understanding current liza
bilities, S7,S44,3s6; rents paid for leas,
of road, $S7 ,505,302; taxes, $i3, 1877 ,S4i
permanent improvements, $4,544,s13
other deductions, S21 ,976,390. Thes,
figures should be understood as GOVERN!
lines operated under lease or other agree
ment as well as operating companies.