The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1903-07-07
GROWTH or ELECTRIC ROADS.
Decrease In Trackase Of Companies Using
Other Glasses OK Power.

WASHINGTON, July GA report on the
street and electric railways of the United
| States showing by statistical computations
| the increase in the use Of electricity "a a
motive power and tho gradual abandon
ment Of all other forms OF energy, together
with the consolidation of street railway
companies and the extension of trackage,
/ was issued by the Census Bureau to-day.
The report shows that there are In cv-
istence in the United States sl7 operating
street and electric railway companies and
no companies leased to and operated by
other companies, making total of 0s7
companies controlling 23,57899 miles Of
single track. The par value of the capital
stock and funded debt outstanding
amounted to S2,30s, 2s2 900. The average
net capital liabilities per mile Of single track
were 386,2S7.
The total income and expenses OF the
operating companies amounted to $780,
5O4,827 and s2l9 ,9O7 $50, respectively, The
companies gave employment during the
year to 1893 ,eil wage earners and paid $780,
TO, 40 in wages. There were 1928 salaried
officials and clerks employed, to whom
S7,438,7ls was paid. The roads carried
5,S71 957 $50 passengers
The single track mileage increased from
S,l23 OF miles in 1890 to % $500 miles in
1902, or l77.84 per cent, and the number
of fare passengers carried from 2,02S, 0l0 ,202
to 4,sO9, 554, 1888, or 1874 per cent.
The increase in the length Of track is
confined entirely to the roads operated
by electric power. The liz Of electric
power was reported by 1873 companies in
1890 and TAT in 1902 The single track mile
age operated by this power increased from
/ 1852 miles in 1890 to 21,920 in 1902.
A decided decrease is shown in the number
Of companies and the trackage for each
of the other classes of power. OF the total
per cent, We're operated by electric power
and 4l8 miles, or o per cent. by other me-
chancal traction. while only $50 miles, or IL
per cent. were operated by animal power,
as compared with 90 Z per cent. in 1890.
The average length of line per operating
company in 1890 was 7 Al miles, rs compared
with 90. SO miles in 1902; the average operat-
ing company in the latter year controlling
almost three times the length of line that
was controlled by the average company in
1890.
In 1890 there were only eight companies
operating more than so miles OF line, and
in 1902 the number OF such companies had
increased to 80.
The total reported cost Of construction
increased 81 us, 276, 1888, or 456 7per cent, as
compared with an increase of 81 $50 ,O48, la2,
or 9s2.7 per cent in the combined par value
of the capital stock and funded debt. The
increase in both capital stock and funded
debt is due largely to consolidation OF indie
pendent roads and the operation of roads
under the lease system where the stock
OF the constituent and underlying COM
panies ia not retired.
The increase in earnings from operation
was Sl58, 938,7sS OF 1892 per cent; the
increase in operating expenditures was
$50, 30l, 4l2, or 128.5 per cent.
The increase in the number OF passenger
cars amounted to 27,7S5, or S5.5 per cent.
In connection with the increase in the
number Of cars, the increase i'll size is i'm
portant. This is indicated by the Increase
in the number OF passengers carried per
car. The number in 1890 was 82.237 and
1902, 79774, an increase Of 1881. The
number Of employees, exclusive of'salaried
officials and clerks, increased 62,s77 or $50
per cent.
The report shows that in New York there
are in operation ninety -six companies with
gross earnings from operation in 1902 OF
$50, 3l5 600; operating expenses, S33 1857 ,724;
per cent Of earnings, 50 10; net earnings
from operation, 500 ,037 1872; income from
other sources, 81 .588,l7S; taxes and fixed
charges $40 ,552 ,055; net income OF COM
panies reporting net income, So 1901 ,7l8;
deficit of companies reporting deficits,
s74OGl5: net income for State, 81 1851 ,i0l;
dividends 81 1873 5gS and surplus, 81 SIT 448.