Crawford avalanche., 1898-01-13

commissioner Wessclius Thinks 1907
an Encouraging Year.
The report of Railroad Commissioners
Wesselius for the year ending Dec. ~,
1897, Is now In the hands Of the Gov
ernor.
The mileage of Michigan railroads up
to Jan. /, 1897, consists Of 9,058.15 miles,
of which 7,759.0S miles consists of main
track, all Of the mileage being used for
active railroad operation. During the
same year there were constructed 1880
miles Of additional track, consisting main
ly Of additions to then existing roads.
The year 1897 has witnessed the largest
increase Of railroad mileage within the
history of the commissioners department
organized in 1873, with the exception OF
the years 1881 and 1888. During the year
1897 new companies having commenced
the construction of PAT miles of main
track, most Of which is now completed,
and in addition thereto existing COM
panies have commenced the construction
OF PAT miles of main track, most of which
Is now completed, and in addition thereto
existing companies have constructed
1904 miles of track, making a total of
379.O4 miles, rs compared with IL miles
in 90, 81 miles in '94, GAG miles in '03
and 172.43 miles in '92.
The companies operating in Michigan
are capitalized for $421 ,498, ,229 40 divided
into shares OF 800 each, something over
$11 100000 being held in Michigan and
about $40, ,00O, 900 held by non-residents.
The stock is held by "a, ,258 stockholders,
S03 Of whom reside in this State, about
81 per cent being held by non-residents.
The bonded and unfunded debts of the
companies operating in Michigan are Civ
EN- as $3.50, ,725, ,491 %. The debt and cap
ital stock together amounts to 81, or, ,223,-
720.69, being little less than the total as
sessed valuation of the State, as equalixed
by the State Board of Equalization.
In an article covering several pages the
imperfections, uncertainties and shortcom-
ings Of the present system of taxing rail-
road properties in the State are pointed
out.
The report gives an extended review OF
the physical condition of the State rail-
road system, commenting upon the condi-
ton off permanent way, surveys and en-
linement of tracks, switches and frogs,
bridges and interlocking switches and sig
nails. or these latter there are now 101
in use in the State, all reported in service
able condition except four of which are in
process Of repair or renewal.
During the year, in compliance with the
law every railroad in the State has been
inspected. The report contains detailed
statements of the existing defects as well
as the improvements and betterments in
each system. At the close of each inspec-
tion orders have been made requiring the
improvement and changes deemed neces-
sary to the public safety. All llorders have
been obeyed by steam railroads except
three, and four made against telephone
and street railway companies are still
uncomplied with. The Attorney General
will be requested to commence action for
the penalties for disobedience to the Or
ders within reasonable time.
In addition to the activity of building
new and additional lines of railroad with
in the State n new field of transportation
by means of car ferries across the great
lakes is rapidly coming into use. The Ann
Arbor, the Flint and Pore Marquette, the
Detroit, Grand Rapids and Western and
the Big Four system have established
lines. Present indications warrant the be-
lief that by the use of these ferries the
lines above named will become great
through freight and perhaps passenger
lines between the north, west, east and
south. There is little or no interruption
in winter navigation at the ports Of
Grand Haven, Muskegon and Ludington.
During the year less deaths have occur
red upon railroads, Notwithstanding the
increase of traffic, than in any year of the
last decade, the number being 124, as
against 200, the highest number, in 1893.