The Paducah sun. [volume] (Paducah, Ky.) 1898-1906, 1903-06-17
GREAT STRIDES MADE
Railroad Report Shows a Splen-
did Increase.
Over Six Hundred Million Passengers
Csyried-Nine Thousand
People Killed.
ILLINOIS CENTRAL EARNINGS

The interstate commerce commis-
sion of Washington has prepared a
summary of its report on railroads OF
che United States for the fiscal year
which closed June 30, 1909. II
showed that the total single track rail
road mileage on June 80, in the Unit
ed States was 202,47l miles, having
increased during the year 5,734 miles.
This increase was greater than for any
other year since 1890. Including side
tracks, double tracks, etc., the total
trackage is ga, 1876 miles.
There were Al, 22s locomotives and
1,64o. 220 cars, not including private
cars, used during the year. OF these
SO, 99l were in passenger service.
Total number of employees was L..
ls9,815. The amount paid in salaries
and wages was se76, oss, 59s.
The amount of railway capital out
standing on June 30, 1909, was $i2s
1874, 1872. 964, or se2.so1 per mile of
line. The funded debt was S., lo9, $751;
$50. The amount of capital stock pay
ing no dividend was 90, $50, $50, lac, or
AGO per cent Of the total amount out
standing. Omitting equipment and
trust obligations the amount Of fund
ed debts which paid no interest was
1894, 175. s4S.
The number of passengers carried
was $40, s7s. sos. and the number Of
tons Of freight Ill, 0s9, S67. Gross earn.
ings of all roads for { he year were ST..
726, $50, 267 and gross expenses sl,-
ZIG. 24s,7 Total dividends declared
for the year were s1s5, 421, $40. The
total number Of casualties to persons
on account of railway accidents was
rs, $50. including s,5ss killed and Ca
662 injured.
The earnings of the Illinois Central
are so large that it is attracting the
attention of financiers. That the Cen
trail has had its full share of the enor-
nous business handled by the rail
roads is indicated by an increase in
growth in ten months Of nearly Q per
cent. which is considerably above the
average gain. but the increase is 12
per cent. in expenses SO nearly absorbs
the gross gains that net earnings show
an increase of but 1 per cent. In point
of gross and net increase the last
months statement issued this year
makes the most favorable exhibit. An
increase is noted over any preceding
month Of its present fiscal year. By
reason of the exceptionally favorable
location, the fsr-sigh ted policy of ex-
pansion and maintenance and general
excellent management the Illinois Cen
trail has developed an earning capacity
conspicuous even among the large
earnings of railroads during the past
year. The company has made it q
rule TO set aside each year certain
amount for betterment, which has been
increased from s422, 800 in 1896 to
a. 43o,17s in 1902, and over a period
of seven years averages about one
third of the surplus after payment of
fixed charges. During the seven years
the company has Increased its surplus
applicable to dividends %, 7O4, 7S5, and
its capactsl stock s26.7o0,0O The
amount earned on stock was g. per
cent. and the company has expended
S12.924,7 1856 for better ments and i'm.
provements other than the amount in.
cluded in expenses, which averaged
si,s46, 1897 a year.
Gross earnings Of all railroads in
the United States reported for May
are s65.257.6 $50, a gain of liza per
cent over last year and 23.9 per cent
over 1901. On many roads affected
by floods earnings are lightly reduced
in consequence of the interruption of
traffic. Some roads report consider.
able loss.
HOT WEATHER WEAKNESS