Evening times-Republican. [volume] (Marshalltown, Iowa) 1890-1923, 1902-02-28
HAVE NOT REPORTED
Iowa Railroads Not Furnishing
Information Asked for by the
Executive Council.
Claim is Made II Would Be I'm.
possible to Give Figures
Requested.
Books Are Not Kept in Manner
That Would Show State
Earnings.
Special to Times Republican.

Des Moines. Feb. est is now APP
parent that the railroad companies do
| ing business in Iowa do not intend to
report to the executive council certain
information asked for and insisted on
by the executive council. A year ago
the executive council caused notice to
be served by it's secretary on all the
railroads doing business in Iowa that
at the time of the reporting for assess
ment purposes this year they would be
expected to report their gross earnings
as divided between the state and in
terstata business. When the blanks
We're sent out this year for these reports
a supplemental blank was added con-
tanning a series of questions along this
| line. Several of the companies have re-
ported. but not until today when the
Rock Island report was received and
scanned was 1t known that the large
companies as we'll as the little ones.
would refuse to make this added report.
In answer to a question as to the gross
earnings of business on the Rock Island
in the state and wholly or in part out
side of the state Vice President Parker
says:
Our records are not kept in a man
ner to enable us TO give this informa-
ton
In answer to q further questions as to
the source of certain similar informa-
ton in last years report, he says:
"a record is kept of the entire earn
ings within the state of Iowa. On all
business originating or terminating
outside of the state of Iowa lines are al
lowed mileage pro-rate excepting the
Des Moines & Fort Dodge railroad,
which under the terms of the lease is
allowed an amount in excess Of the
mileage pro-rate. In preparing this re-
port we do not separate the earnings
into local business originating and ter
minating in the state) business from
points beyond the state TO points with
in the state, business from points with
in to points beyond the state, and bust
ness from beyond the state passing
thru the state to points beyond the
state"
There is now do doubt that all the
leading lines will make substantially
the same report and the executive
council when it comes to making the as
sessments will know no more about 1t
now than in other years.
There is pending before the legisla-
ture a bill designed especially to COM
pel the railroad companies to SO keep
their books that they will be able to
make their reports In accordance with
4; a,,I int
state business. The same principle is
Incorporated in the new general as
sessment bill being considered in the
senate committee.
Carroll Wright. Iowa attorney for the
Rock Island railroad declares that 1t
would cost Iowa companies from $4,000
to $4,000 year to so keep their books
that they would be able to make this
report accurately. They would have to
take every individual shipment and di-
vide it UP as between the various
states thru which 1t passes. This would
involve an army of additional clerks.
At 1T relates to the bill! pending. which
contemplates that after this informa-
| ton has been secured the council shall
consider the market value of stocks
and bonds as the chief factor In deter
mining the value of the roads. MIR.
Wright also says that after the infor-
nation has been secure 1t would be
of no value whatever.
The Rock Island report shows gross
earnings for the entire system of ST.
ss.424.69, or 81 ,o5O.59 per mile; operat-
ing expenses of S17.675,139.26, or ST.
452.56 per mile; net earnings s1O,3l3, :
2s7.4S or s2.59s.O3 per mile. The taxes
paid last year amounted to $969,247.sS.
The average interest charge on the
Rock Island bonded debt per mile was
| 81 ,011.O6 per mile in 1899. Ss1S.e9 in 1000
and s906.09 in 1901 The average divi-
dend on capital stock per mile was
s629.41 per mile in 1899, s600.16 in 1900,
and $62205 in 1901. The vice presi-
dent is unable to state whether or not
the value per mile of the Rock Island
system is greater or less in Iowa than
over the entire system.