The San Francisco call., 1903-12-19
ADVANCE
ON RAILROADS
Interstate Commerce Commits
sion Reports Upon the Con-
ditiOn of Traffic Corporations
APPALLING LOSS OF LIFE
More Than Three Hundred
Passengers and Three Thou
sand Employees Killed in Year

WASHINGTON. Dec 1S.-The seven
teenth annual report Of the Interstate
Commerce Commission, transmitted to
Congress to-day, says in part:
The preliminary income account for
the year ending June 80, 19OS shows
railway returns for POI. .457 miles of line.
which is approximately 9S per cent Of
the entire mileage In the United States.
Gross earnings for that year amounted
to 81, ,S9O, 150,679, or 1882 per mile OF line.
Operating expenses aggregated $1.24S,-
52O, ,483, or S6191 per mile, leaving net
earnings of $641, ,6SO196, or $31S5 per
mile. Fifty-thTee million dollars in
taxes is not included IN this statement
Of operating expenses. Compared with
the previous year, the net earnings are
greater by some thirty-fOur millions
and stock dividends are greater by
nearly ten millions. In 1897 the gross
earnings averaged only S6122 and Ope-
rating expenses $4106 per mile OF line.
PURPOSE OF ELKINS LAW.
The report discusses at length the
Elkins law. The Commissioners say
that the original law, the act to regu-
late commerce, embraces two distinct
objects, or seeks to correct two kinds
Of railroad abuses: First, to secure
the publication Of tariff rates which
shall be Just and reasonable and free
from determinations: and second, to
compel carriers to observe the tariffs
so published without variation or ex-
ception. 1t continues:
Broadly speaking. the latter class OF
r-rrr-
act, the provisions of which are mainly
designed 10 prevent or more effectually
reach those infractiOns of law, like the
payment Of rebates and kindred prac-
tices, which are classed as misdemean-
ors. Under this amendment the rail-
way corporation Itself is liable to prose-
eutiOn in all cases where its officers and
agents are liable under the former law.
This change cOrrects a defect which
has always been a source Of embarrass-
ment, because it gave immunity to the
principal and beneficiary Of a guilty
transaction. 1t IS believed that much
benefit will result from the fact that
proceedings can now be taken against
the corporation"
BIG ADVANCE IN RATES.
One of the most significant things in
railway operations for the last three
years has been the marked and gem
eraI advance in rates. Such increase
applies in almost all sections of the
country and TO many Of the most i'm
portant kinds of traffic These increases
are general and they amount in the
aggregate to an enormous sum- The
effect of these advances has been to
correspondingly increase the tax laid
upon the general body Of producers and
consumers in this country for the bene-
fit Of the owners of railway property.
The commission refers again to the
evils resulting from excessive payments
by railroad COMPANIES for the use OF
private cars. particularly those owned
and controlled By shippers. and recon-
mends that the payment of car mileage
for their use be regulated.
Fer the year ending June 30 1908, S2l
passengers and 3233 employees were
killed in railway accidents. and 1913
passengers and 50. .OO4 employees injured
The appalling loss Of life and property
in collisions is noted, and the commits
sion urges the desirability Of the in
PRODUCTION Of the block system.
The gross earnings Of railways for
the year ending June 80. 1908, were
81. $50. .15O679. The gross earnings for
the previous year were s1,726,3SO,2s7-