The Mitchell capital. (Mitchell, Dakota [S.D.]) 1879-1918, 1909-01-14

Washington, Jan. 13.--The Interstate
commerce commission today transmit
ted to the congress it's report for the
year 1908.
The report states tha the temporary
financial depression from which the
country is now emerging resulted in
the diminution OF railway revenues
considerably below the high point
reached in 1907, the banner year in
American railroad history in respect Of
gross and net earnings, as we'll as VOL
ume OF traffic, and that in several in
stances the necessity for placing rail-
road properties in the hands of receiv-
ers Was Wholly or partially due to the
serious and unexpected decrease in
earnings.
In view, however, OF the widely cir
culated reports that the loss inflicted
upon the railroads was &c severe as to
reduction in wages, or both, 1t Is inter-
esttng to note hat the gross earnings
OF all railroads for 1905. although 1884,
+64,941 less han the gross earnings for
1907, were S9S,S75,470 in excess of the
gross earnings for 1905 and $342.l5S,-
the net earnings for 1908. although
$111,051,O06 less han for 1907 and $780,
349.13S less than for 1906. were $685.
5O4 in excess of those for 1905. These
figures indicate that whatever may
have been the fact IN individual cases,
the railroads of the country, as IL
whole, did not suffer so severity in
comparison with years of normal traf-
fc and business conditions as may
have generally been supposed. The
recent change in accounting methods
may affect to some extent the ccura
of these comparisons, but it is believed
that the variations due to that cause
did not materially alter the general re-
suit. 1t is pointed out that a continu-
ing business depression could not be
held to Justify the maintenance OF par
ticular rates which are unreasonable
since the right to equal treatment at
reasonable rates does not depend upon
the financial condition OF the carrier.
Safety Appliances.
With II possible exception of power
brakes the condition OF safety appli-
ances is steadily improving. 1t is not
clearly understood Why the main
tenance of the rakes does not keep
pace with progress of Improvement OF
other details of equipment, but 1t is
probably attributable to the following
situation: The sole requirement of the
present law in regard to power brakes
is that no train subject to the present
act shall contain less than 75 per cent
OF cars equipped with power brakes in
operative condition. cars not exceed
ing Is per cent of the total in the train
nay have their brake equipment cut
out" of the connection, and no liability
ensues to the carrier if the remaining
brakes are sufficient to control tn
speed of the train.
The report has in past years includ-
ed n statement of the operating rev.
enues and operating expenses of rail-
ways for the fiscal year ending June &c
Immediately preceding it's date of issue,
such statement having been compiled
from the annual reports of the carriers
in advance Of their final compilation.
The bureau of statistics and accounts
has this year substituted for such a
preliminary report d compilation based
upon monthly reports of revenues and
received for the II months
ending June 80. 1908. This report shows
that or a basis of average mileage OPP
Grated during the ear of 226.121 miles
the freight revenue was 81 1855. lis. SAG
passenger revenue 1856, 905, 100, all other
revenue from transportation $167. $40, 1876
revenue from operations other thar
transportation S24,6 87, 1892, making tota
operating revenues $2,424, $40, 637. O.
SIC, 722 per mile of line. The total op.
Grating expenses We're 81, sos, 101. 879, OF
S7,496 per mile of line, leaving the net
operating revenue 1928, 53S, 75S, or 1922
per mile of lnie. Deducting from the
net operating revenue taxes in the sun
Of $685. 0,516, the net operating in
come for the year ended June 80, 1908
was $645, 678, 242 for the entire mileage
or S2,S55 per mile of line. The ratio o.
operating expenses to earnings a.
.,nu,o IN, +b}e roporf 1yoS go OF WOW cant