Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1906-12-19

Pacific and Southern Pacific railway sys-
TENS. growing out of their combined man
agement and control, the relations OF the
Northern Pacific, Great Northern and Bur
lingtOn systems with view to ascertain
ing to what extent they are under unlned
control and the effect of any such control
upon their rates and practices. further
inquiry has been instituted with reference
TO the prevailing car shortage, ana is now
proceeding in various parts of the country
The results of this investigation Will De
communicated to the Congress at the
earliest possible date.
Cases and Hearings.
The report shows twenty-one civil cases
pending the courts for enforcement OF
the regulating statute. and large number
of criminal proceedings disposed of or in
stituted during the year. The hnes I'M
posed upon corporations and individuals in
proceedings involving criminal violations
amount to several hundred thousand dol
lars, and two persons were sentenced 10
Imprisonment.
Since the last annual report of the COM
mission was submitted 1,0S4 complaints
have been filed with the commission Tnese
include both informal and formal COM
plants proceedings and Investigations in
ssitued by the commission upon It's own
motion and under resolutions or Congress.
The number of formal cases and invest1ga-
lions instituted during the year Is eighty
two. relating directly to the rates and prac-
tees of 900 carriers. The nature OF these
cases and Investigations is set forth In the
report
Seventy three hearings and Investigations
have been had in Washington and IN nu-
merous other cities of the United states,
and in addition to these hearings numerous
conferences have been held with railroad
officials and with shippers concerning the
application of the amended law.
Income Of Railroads.
For years the commission has published
a brief advance report presenting con-
densed income account statement for the
operating railway companies in the United
States. This preliminary report for the
year ending June 80, 1906, includes certain
returns for $50 railway companies. rep
resenting an operated mileage Of 220.O2S. A
miles, or approximately so per cent of the
mileage that will be covered by the COM
plete statistical report for the year.
The report shows that the gross earn
ings of the roads described were S2319,16O,-
030, consisting of passenger earnings, $685.
555, !34: freight earnings, S1640, 942. S62, and
miscellaneous earnings, 6O.261 ,G34 The
gross earnings averaged $1O543 per mile
This average Is much higher than the like
average for any previous year for which
the commission has published statistical
report. The gross earnings of the railways
as shown in the final report for the year
ending June 30. 1905, were 50 OS2. 4S2, 4O6, or
an average of $9.59S on 216.97361 miles of
line. The operating expenses were 81 $50, 1885,
1873, or So 1853 per mile. The ratio of operat-
ing expenses to earnings, as shown by the
preliminary report was 66.Oo per cent. The
same average in the final report for the
year 1908 was &C. IS per cent. This advance
report shows that the net earnings of the
same roads for the year ending June 30,
1906, were s7S7596.S77, or $3.50 per mile,
and for the year 1905, $500, sol, 151.
The amount reported by the carriers as
income from sources other than operation
was s132 624 .9S2. which amount includes a
few duplica tons due to the method of ac-
counting followed by certain of the report
ing carriers. The total income of the OPP
Grating roads covered by the report was
1920 ,221 $50. Against this amount was
charged as interest, rents. betterments,
taxes and miscellaneous items the sum of
$3.50. 3s6554, and as dividends the sum of
S229, 4C6J9S. leaving a surplus for the year
of 300. 1913 07. The taxes charged to in
come during the year were SOS. 9032 The
final report for the year ending June 30,
1865. showed surplus of SS9,O43, 400.
The amount of dividends declared in 1906
was S342 4S.60o more than that shown for
the dividends of practically the same roads
in 1908. This preliminary report, as al
ready stated, relates to operating roads
only. and does not include the statement of
any dividends paid by leased lines from
the income they received as rent. The divi-
Qen0S declared Dy the subsidiary leased
lines for the year 1905 were about $780,
80, 900.
Safety Appliances.
The condition of equipment has continued
favorable. Many old cars of light capacity
have been retired from service and have
been replaced by new cars of modern con-
struction. This has had a good effect as
the new cars all equipped with air
brakes and have the latest couplers, which
are stronger than those put in service a few
years ago. There is also a tendency to
limit the couplerS used to four or five of
the best makes, and this leads to uniform
ity and removes the necessity of keeping
in stock large number of repair parts.
Generally speaking. the law has been well
observed. Certain carriers have been
somewhat lax, and in these cases it has
been necessary to prosecute Two hundred
and twenty-five suits have been filed for
violation of the law since it went into
effect, 100 of which have been settled, and
penalties to the amount of so, 100 have been
collected and turned into the treasury. Of
the suits settled So Were disposed of by
the carriers confessing judgment and pay
ling the penalty. Seventeen have gone to
trial, in fifteen of which verdicts have been
rendered in favor of the government.
The only suits decided against the gov
eminent are two recent cases tried in the
district court in Colorado. Should this in
depreciation of the law be sustained by a
higher court the statute will be greatly
weakened.
Notable decisions unfolding the law were
recently rendered by Judge Mcpherson of
the United States district court at Des
Moines, Iowa, and by Judge Whitson at
Spokane, Wash. These are the most i'm
portant decisions that have been rendered
since the Humphrey decision.
To secure proper results in the admins
tration of the law Congress should provide
for considerable Increase in the force of
inspectors
The loss of life occasioned by the use of
comparatively light postal cars demands at
tention, and Congress should take some
action to the end that this danger may be
obviated.
Under the law of March 3, 1901, railroads
engaged in interstate commerce have made
monthly reports to the commission of acct
dents to passengers and employees for five
years.
The tremendous increase in the volume of
freight traffic has put severe strain upon
employees, and this has often been made the
justification of or excuse for WORKING men
unduly long hours, ard has led to the en-
ployment of many young and inexperienced
persons. In the matter of long hours the
accident reports have shown instances of
even worse conditions than existed in for