The Vinita daily chieftain. [volume] (Vinita, Indian Territory [Okla.]) 1902-1913, 1910-06-06

book entitled, Railway Statistics IN
the United States" in which be pre-
Isents complete figures on railway
construction for the calendar year
1s0s; and the Railway Record. a rail-
way publication published in Chicago,
presents figures on new companies
and mileage chartered during the first
-four months OF 1910. It's figures repre-
senting sixteen states, mostly in the
south. where the railway activities of
the country centers at this time.
Slason Thompson prefaces his book
with the explanation that govern
ment railway statistics for the past
few years seem to have been prepar-
ed with the purpose Of misleading the
public as 10 financial results of rail-
way operation, and that his work is
issued for the purpose Of putting be-
fore the public the railways own de-
ductions from the figures they report
to the interstate commerce commits
sion. 1t gives construction mileage
for the various states. does not dis
euss financial results as to the state
separately.
1t shows that forty-two states and
territories built railway during 1909.
The total mileage constructed was
4.040.6 or an average of 96.2 miles for
the states showing any construction.
Taking all states and territories into
consideration the average for the year
was sos miles.
Oklahoma is credited with 1882
miles, which shows this state to have
built 81 miles more in 1909 than the
average for the states and territories
showing results, and S2.4 miles more
than the average for all the states.
or the forty-two states showing con-
struction 36 show less mileage than
Oklahoma Five show more, making
Oklahoma sixth on the list Mime
sofa built 164.7 against Oklahomas
1852 miles.
This showing doubtless win be
matter of surprise to many Oklahoma
citizens. who have supported that Ok
lahoma's strict regulation laws had
subjected this state to unfavorable
comparison in that particular A fur
ther interesting feature of the com
parison is that Texas, with regulation
measures in many respects identical
with those of Oklahoma, leads the
entire country. Furthermore. if terri
torial area be taken into considera-
tion in the comparison, Oklahoma
leads Texas.
The other states showing more 1903
construction than Oklahoma
are California. Washington and Ne
vada. All the territories, including
Arizona. New Mexico and the
District 9f Columbia, show new mile
age in 1909 Although conditions in
Arizona and New Mexico are inviting
for railway investment. there being
much agricultural and mining develop
ment and no strict regulation of oper-
and although their combined |
area is more than three times that of |
Oklahoma. this state shows 1909 con-
struction double that of Arizona and |
New Mexico combined. The states |
that show no construction of railway |
whatever in 1909 are Massachusetts. |
Vermont. Delaware. Rhode Island, |
and the western states |
Of Iowa. North Dakota and South Da-
kota. Oklahoma's record for 1909 is
Just seven miles less than that of Ne
braska, Ohio, Utah, Wyoming, Mis-
souri,, Indiana, Illinois and Idaho COM
bined.
In the matter of railways projected |
and chartered during the months of
January, February, March and April.
1910. Oklahoma again much more thaa
holds her own. The Railway Record.
published in Chicago, presents on its
first page in it's issue of May ii,
statement showing construction ac-
-ivity as indicated by roads chartered
Up to May /, this year The statement /
sixteen states of the south,
Missouri and Oklahoma.
The paper comments upon its show
ng by saying: "An are entirely new
none chartered or form
ed previous to the period under con-
being enumerated. The /
table exhibits compeetly I
what is being done:
New
State. Companies. Mileage.
Arkansas ......s. 245
Alabama ......~.S So
District of Columbia / 10
Georgia ........ GAS
Kentucky .. l 80
Louisiana ....-s 8 100
MARYLAND OF