The Birmingham age-herald., 1912-09-28
NET REVENUE OF 1. |. IS DECREASED Presidents Report Is Not
 Very Optimistic REASONS ARE GIVEN
Exceptionally Hard Winter in North, Floods in South and 1911 Strike Are Held to Be
 Responsible

The annual statement of the Illinois Central under the presidency of Charles H. Markham was issued here yesterday by E. F. Stovall. general agent. The re- port is not very optimistic. showing that made during the past year. heavy ex- penses have occurred.
 The total average mileage operated was 70 as compared to 474s.64 in 1911, which was an increase of 1906 miles on the sys- tenn The total operating revenue was $5s, 727,272.17 for 1912, as compared to s62,- 0Ss, 736.52 in 1911, decrease of $3.Ss ,464.35. The total operating expenses was s4s, 12l, 466.54, as compared to S44. 757, 70 for 1911.
 Traffic expense increased 2.70 per cent. the transportation SCI per cent. general expense 1O.Ss per cent and taxes increased 1.29 per cent, according to the report. The company expended sss4o.o15 in improve ments during the year which was in- crease over the preceding year.
 In concluding the report President Mark ham points out some of the reasons for the increased expenses as follows:
 For many years past, your company had contracts with various classes of em- ployes in it's mechanical department, and on June 21 1911, word was received from a so-called illinois Central and Allied Lines Federation for a conference, sub mitting a proposed agreement. The de- mands made were of such a nature that 1t was felt the company could not sub init to them and continue to perform the public functions for which it was ere ated. An appeal was made to the em- ployes to render the same respect to exist ing contracts that they would expect of the company; but the radical element out numbered the conservatives, and this re- pioyes on September 30, 1911, which for several months caused great ineonveni- ence to your patrons, and increased ex- pense in maintaining and operating your property.
 Along with other railroad companies in the territory traversed by your north ern Iines the severe winter caused serious loss to your company. The extreme weather accompanied by heavy snows was. from an operating standpoint, the worst known for many years.
 "In the spring months, a flood occurred in the southern territory. and for con siderable part of the month of April, the double track line in the south, including the Cairo Bridge, was out of commis- sion. During this period. the passenger trains of your company, to and from all the south, and what small proportion of the freight which could be handled, were detoured over the single track line be- tween Mattoon, H., and Fulton, Ky, via Evansville and Princeton.
 "The several unlocked for occurrences above named. coming one after the other. so affected the operating results of your company, that the month of June, 1912, is the first since August. 1911, which shows an increase In not revenue over the pre- ceding fiscal year.
 There were carried on the rolls under the pension system, 393 employees to whom payments aggregating $95. 539. .76 were made during the fiscal year
 "The board takes renewed pleasure in acknowledging the fidelity. efficiency and united effort displayed by the officers and loyal employees in the discharge of their duties duTng the past year, especially under the trying conditions which have obtained. O. H. MARKHAM,
 "President'