The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1911-12-22

putable records are. that there was
great decrease in the revenues for tn
fiscal year ending June 80, 1911. An
there was great increase in operat
ing expenses.
Fortunately there are reliable sta
tistics upon the subject for those wh'
wish to study the net results of rail
II way operation. The bureau of rail
way economics shows that the rail
/ ways OF the country earned $32.S7 pei
mile each day last year in carrying
freight, passengers, mails and express
This was 10 cents per lille per day
less than for the fiscal year ending
June so, 1910. This would be for al
the railroads S17, 600. 600 less in reve-
nues than the previous fiscal year
yielded.
Here's the other side:
While revenues were going down al
\ the rate of 19 cents per mile per day
operating expenses were going up IS
cents per mile per day.
The total operating expenses were
1 S22-5S per mile per day for the past
year.
For the fiscal year ending June so,
90, they were only s21.93 per mile
per day.
The s. cents per mile per day increase
I ~ salaries wages, fuel, supplies. repairs
and renewal of tracks. bridges. etc,
amounts to the enormous increase % S5s.-
! cocoon over the previous fiscal year.
The net operating revenue. which is the
total operating revenue less operating ex-
!
taxes increased and revenue from out
side operations such boat ami ferry
lines, dining cars, etc, fell off, that the
operating income-which is net operating
revenue with revenue from outside opera
lions added and taxes deducted-was ST
cents per mile per day less than for
the previous fiscal year. This amounts
to a total decrease in operating income
of over s75OO0.OOo or over one-fourth OF
the total amount of net dividend paid by
the railways for the fiscal year ending
June 30. 1910.
In view of these indtsputable facts from
the Washington bureau of railway
economics. isn't it time for more
thoughtful study of the railroad situa-
A railroad is governed by Just the same
natural law that governs all healthy bust
ness-it must take in more money than It
pays out.
The Beacon believes that the necessity
of rate reimbursement is the most serious
problem of the present hour. Rates are
too high at some points, they are doubt
less too low at other points Many Gis-
ordinations have grown up whic rob
communities of their just commercial op-
portunities and their natural ADVANTAGES.
These Determinations cannot be settled
by sweeping resolutions demanding tie
reduction of all freight and passenger
rates and the immediate arrest and i'm
prisonment of all railroad presidents.
These problems must be settled by intelli-
gent study, not by bitter political cam
paIghs- me railroad OFFICIALS VIII nave
to admit the right of states to know and
study facts properly and in the right |
spirit The public viii have to admit the |
right of railways to reasonable profits, |
as well as their right to rest their case |
upon facts in sober tribunals and not |
upon theories or the hasty judgments OF |
state legislatures moved by political feel |
ing
You can't reduce the revenues of a rail-
road by unfriendly legislation and in |
crease its operating expenses by the |
same power without Wrecking it.
The administrative tribunals which find |
it popular to regulate railroads from a I
political point of view, owe it not only |
to the country but to the railroads to /
grasp the significance of official figures.
A tribunal that establishes confiscator
rates. is acting just as dishOnorably as a |
railroad that establishes unjust rates.
The political officer who believes he can |
fix railroad rates out of his own head, is |
just dangerous as the doctor who |
seeks to diagnose a case of chest trouble |
without the aid of tlzs stethoscope and the
other Observation-Disclosures which govern
diagnoses.
The rate making tribunal which does
not approach its task with the same
grave concern that characterizes careful
railroad management is destructive. Of
ficial regulation of railroads will be q.
curse unless it considers its duty two-fold
providing for equitable rates and proper
service.
You cannot cripple the railroads with
1ut Gripping the industrial progress of
he country.
The figures given out from the official
source, tell their own grave story and |
point the need for intelligent and honest
cooperation between railroad officials
md rate making bodies