The Donaldsonville chief. [volume] (Donaldsonville, La.) 1871-current, 1904-10-22
PROSPERITY PREVAILS.
Annual Statements of the Illinois Central
ANA Mississippi Valley Railroads.

ana Mississippi Valley Railroads..
From the Memphis Commercial Appeal.
1t was an Athenian who reduced the
philosophy Of happiness to two rules Of
action: Take much from life, and give
largely to the living. And in the cen.
turtles that have passed since Pericles
exemplified his precepts in his own life
the world has progressed but little be.
yond the ethical law upon which he
insisted. The terms have changed, but
reduced TO its ultimate intention. the
dogma Of almost every school OF mora
science from his day until now is fairly
stated il these words.
Judged by this standard of happi.
ness, the year closing on June 30, 1904,
was an exceptionally happy one for the
Illinois Central Railroad, for during
that year it increased materially both
its gross receipts and its expenses. The
fact that the current expenses OF the
road increased more than its gross re-
eeipts ought not, perhaps, to be ar
gued by the pessimist. The road has,
at least, felt the Joy OF disbursing
munifcently. 1t has been medium q
enlarged and wonderful activity, carry
ing more of the commerce and travel
OF the nation than ever before. 1t has,
at the same time, cost the road more to
carry on its business than before, and
the ratio Of increased cost has out
stripped the ratio OF increase in the
gross income.
Stated in the more exact language
Of the figures OF the report of the di-
rectors of the road for the year re.
ferred to, it is shown that the increase
in gross receipts from traffic amounts
to 81, 645. 059.04, while the increase 10
expenses of operation foot up 81, 957,
367. SO. The reasons assigned for this
disproportionate increase in oper Eating
expenses are: The prolonged cold sea-
son of the past winter, the increased
cost Of fuel and the increased wage
scale OF operatives. In the latter item
alone the increase is shown to have
beer 81, 400, 1925.
There is food for reflection in this
latter statement. 1t is sometimes bit
terly complained by the working force
that there is an unfair division with
them OF the profits of the gigantic in
dustrial enterprises which transact the
business of this twentieth century
world. II there is reasonable FONDA
tion for such charge, it certainly is
not to be found in the fact that the
largest item OF increase in the expenses
OF the year for this road is In the
wages paid to it's oper atives.
| One moral, however, is certainly
pointed out by this condition of at.
fairs. 1t is cumulative evidence Of
Republican prosperity, which consists
in augmenting the earning power d
an individual or of a corporation, and
| at the same time increasing still more
| in proportion the essential expense &C
count of the Garner. That the Illinois
Central Railroad should show such {
result at the end of it's years bushes:
] is not matter for wonder. It would be
| If the result were otherwise. The road
is an integral part OF the Commercial
and industrial development Of the
United States, and necessarily reflects
prevailing conditions. The facts shown
in the stateWent referred to indicate
how closely identified are the best in
| terests Of labor and capital, and how
impossible it is for the one TO prosper
or 90 fer without involving the other
MISSISSIPPI VALLEY STATEMENT.
Elsewhere appears the twenty-thir<
annual report of the Yazoo & Mis-
lsIssippi Valley Railroad Company &c
President Stuyvesant Fish. The state
ment IL Gnteresting and commends itsel
| to the thought Of the people Of this
section for reasons that have theil
origin in conditions of local pride
| First, the Yazoo & Mississippi Valley
Railroad is almost like Memphis in,
stitution, because its general offices
| are located here and its highest com
missioned directing officials, outside
of New York and Chicago, make then
home ia this city. Secondly, it is
the main artery through which the
commercial and industrial interests oi
Memphis reach the marvelously pro.
ductive Delta country and through the
same artery of commerce are the TEEN
Ting products Of that territory poured
into this city. If for no other reason
the increasing usefulness of the Yazoo
s. Mississippi Valley Railroad as q
part of the Illinois Central system
would appeal to Memphians and the
people Of the great Mississippi Valley.
The report in question shows a most
satisfactory condition of the property
| and points unerringly TO a wise and
constructive managerial policy.
The gross receipts from traffic were
81, So, 334 and the expense OF operation
and taxes Sc, O95, 61s. The excess of In
come was s1,776, 274 and the fixed
charges 81, 49,, 65S, the surplus being
S578, 615. The income for the past year
| from passenger traffic alone amounted