The times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1897-1901, 1900-09-11
THE SOUTHERN RAILWAY.
An Official Report Concerning the
Condition of the systcm


The full pamphlet report OF the Southern
Railway for the year which ended June 30.
1900, has been issued 1t is a bulky and
comprehensive volume. going into details
as to the condition OF the system, the i'm
provemsHts made during the year. the
business OF the year. and the outlook for
the future. The management Is 10 be con-
graduated on the showing made. The best
financial and railway authorities express
the opinion that the record of the South
ern during the six years since its reor-
genization has been one OF the best In
railway history.
feature to be especially commended in
the report Is the lucidIty of the entire
document. 1t has seemed to be the aim
OF many railway and Industrial company
arrangements during the past year to OBJ
scure the facts rather than present them.
The general remarks OF President Spen-
Ger are OF particular interest. as showing
the progress and growth OF the system in
their relation to the general business ac-
tiyity In the South. He says:
The year has been one OF unusual busi-
ness activity and growth In the territory
reached by your company's lines.
The iron and coal industries or the
Southern States have been still further de-
veloped. and the large and modern steel
plant referred to in the last report has been
completed and put In successful operation
at Ensley. Ala. It has now been deter
mined by the owners to add to this plant
a mill for the rolling OF steel rails. an in
dustry much needed for the full utilization
OF the products of Southern furnaces, and,
II successfully maintained, of much pos
sible benefit to the railways of the South
ern States.
The improved price o, cotton during
the year as compared with that OF recen.
years, has greatly benefited the entire cot
ton producing section, the surplus stock
OF previous years having been consumed,
and the farmers fortunately having re-
eeived full share of the advance.
''As pointed out elsewhere, the develop
ment of cotton manufactures in the South
continues upon steady and substantial
basis. and is contributing largely to the
prosperity OF that section OF country.
The increased business activity through
out the country during the year has re-
suited, however. in large increase in the
cost of the operations Of the railways, both
in labor and In materials used. and unfor-
tunately the railways could not as other
consumers can. increase the average price
OF the sole article which they have for
sale-namely transportation.
"Other branches OF business and indus
try can, when the cost OF production in
creases increase their prices to measure
ably correspond, but the average rst>s re-
CelVeu Dy railway companies
make no advance, and. as rule, continue
to diminish. even in times of increased cost
of operation The railways, therefore, in
time of prosperity. must secure improved
results, IL at all, solelT by the more eco
nomlcal handling of : greater volume OF
traffic" s-H-
The following statement IS made regard
ing the establishment CT new industries
during the year upon /, lines of the
~,
to it:
Textile ind, .tries-Tw, nty-seven new
cotton mills began operations, equipped
with 4.49S looms and 2201 spindles. and
having 4 combined author'z capital of |
SO, 440, Geo: the equipment OF old cotton |
mills was increased by the addition of |
8 ,4i9 looms and 2S7.02 spindles, the i'm |
provements having an estimated value Of |
80 OG5. .325; the total increase during the |
year in the capacity of active cotton mills |
tributary to this eompany's lines was,
therefore. 13947 looms and 5G7,179 spin
dies. the additional capital invested being
about S12. 500, ,60G; twentyone knitting mills
began operations with estimated capital OF
1884, 900.
Iron and steel industrles-There were
put in operation during the year a new
steel mill at Ensley, Ala, capital s1,O00.-
D00; a new wire and rod mill at. Ensley,
iila, capital S=.UVO,UVVf an iron pipe plant, |
North Birmingham, Ala, capital S175 200;
fourteen pig-iron furnaces went into blast.
'Miscellaneous-Four hundred and forty
nine miscellaneous industries were estab-
Iished and put in operation during the
year. among which may be mentioned 80
urniture factories, &c Woodworking plants.
Sc lumber mills. 20 cottonseed oil mills, 90
iour mills. and eanneries.''
Following is the report Of operations for
the year:
1900. Increase.
Gross earnings from opera
tiOn -SSl,2JD,S5J sJ,Si1, ,lS3 !
Operating expenses and
taxes .-.......-.......... H,sSl-4i6 4,415,09l
Iet income from operations sg,3j9.423 SI.3T2 0o2
income from other sources. SlS,S05 +9,66i
S9.6Ss, ,22s SI.3i2,4 ,42S
Interest and rentals....-.. S5,155,4i2 S54S, S,lS9
Other deductions from in
come ................. I5,5Sj 's,4o3
s677O.977 s53s,69s