The Minneapolis journal. [volume] (Minneapolis, Minn.) 1888-1939, 1903-10-03
GREAT NORTHERN RY. 4
FIGURES FOR 1908
Report the System the Closing 1908 Prepared
by President HILL Shows Liberal Margin Over Earnings Of 1902
Comments of MI. Hill on the Results.

for operation during the year were s74.3s
miles. New lines have been located and
will probably be built In the near future.
as follows: An extension OF the Dakota
& Great Northern from Edmore to Hamp-
ton, N. D., about forty-1ve miles; a line
from Thief River Falls, Mimi, north about
thirty-one miles; a line from Pelican Rap
ids, Mimi, north, about 1866 miles, cross
ing the line from Carmen, MINI, to Su-
perior, Wis. at Mcintosh Work on the
two steamships at New London has
been delayed by labor troubles, but 1t IS
expected that the second will be launched
in November.
I'm order to facilitate the handling of
the increasing iron ore traffic the COM
pany has leased the lines Of the Duluth.
Superior & Western Terminal company to
the docks at Superior, and the terminal
company has greatly increased ore han
ding facilities at that point.
Purchases OF the Year.
During the*year the company placed
orders for seventy-fiv locomotives, 1900
freight cars and two wrecking cars.
There was expended during the year for
equipment $3.S23,9f4, Of which amount
So, sol was charged to equipment ac-
count '". 5 =: : ~ ..
During the year TIA 1892 miles Of track
have been relaid with TIN pound rails,
and 60 miles with 60-pound rails. A
great many improvements and enlarge
ments have been effected in the yards
! owned by the company, and work has
been begun on the construction of new
terminals at Seattle The replacement Of
wooden bridges and trestles with steel
or entertainments has been continued
| steadily. The total length Of steel bridges
put in has been 1891 feet and the total
| length Of bridges filled 1875 feet. Only
| such. amounts as represented cost Of act
ual additions and improvements have been
charged to additions and improvements,
| and the entire amount charged to that
account during the year on account of the
| line leased from the Manitoba railway has
been transferred to the fund for 'perma-
nent improvements and renewals so that
| the company Is not carrying on its books
4 as an asset the cost of any additions and
improvements on the line leased from the
Manitoba company. All replacements, re-
newals, etc., have been charged to oper-
ating expenses. The amount included in
| maintenance of road and structures for
extraordinary improvements, etc., IS
| 81, 443, 1853. ....e.<t -
THE efficiency OF the railway as a
means Of transportation is improving
every year, and the increased train load,
| which the improved condition Of the rail-
| way and equipment make possible en-
ables the company to meet the heavy de-
mands that are being made for increases
in the cost Of all classes Of railroad
| service.
During the year rates on grain, grain
! products, potatoes, onions and hay from
| stations in Washington to Puget Sound
were reduced 10Sfper cent, and rates on
grain and grain products from stations in
Il North and South Dakota to eastern
4 terminals We're reduced about 10 per
4 cent $fs5lSsE
While the ton mileage Of revenue
freight increased 1909, the mileage OF
loaded freight.s5cars Increased but 61711
per; cent and the freight trains 5.672s
per cent, resultingSi in an increase of %. 1s
tons, aor $50 pernstat5 in the{average mum.
Der OF revenue tonssper freight train mile
making thesaverage tratnGload ofsrevenue
q fre1ghts4A6, 1855 tons. This result shas bee1
ma de posslble thru the large expenditure.
4 that hare been rpaas for& reduction O
grades, for morsspaWs rfui locomotives
and for larger - :
Difference 5ofIss4o, ooo, 600 u Rates.
t Had the company collected the sam
average rates this year as 1T collected i,