The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1912-11-04
RAILROAD news
Annual Report of Rock Island
Lines Made Public.
First Copy Received in Topeka
General Offices Today.
REVENUES BELOW LAST YEAR
But Road Cut ~ Per Cent From
Maintenance.
Other Items of Interest in the
Traffic World.
REVENUES BELOW LAST YEAR

The annual report of the Rock Is
land Lines made public in Topeka to-
day shows that this system of 5000
miles was in such good physical con-
dition during the last fiscal year that
the officials were able to cut the main
tenance expenses IL per cent. This
is an unusual record for a road COW
ering the territory of the Rock Island.
The operating revenues for the year
amounted to nearly $65.00O.000 or
nearly 100000 less than the show
ing last year. The 1911 report, how
ever. was the best on the record books
of the road.
Despite the efforts of the operating
officials of the road, including the Of
flee of general manager and assistant
general manager in Topeka. to reduce
1912 report slows an increase of $40,-
600 in expenditures. The total for
1912 was $26, 211,o00 and for 1911,
$26,171, 200. The operating heads are
given credit for excellent service,
however, on account of the storm con-
ditiens affecting the lines in 1912. For
instance, take the winter of 1911
1912 in Kansas and the Mississippi
floods
Review by President Nudge.
President Nudge in reviewing the
year in his report says:
THE records of the Industrial de-
partment indicate that 12S new in
dustries were located along Rock Is
land lines during the current fiscal
year. 1t is estimated that their con-
struction will cost approximately S13,-
100000 and that their operation will
furnish employment for more than g.
600 men and create an annual move
ment of over $4,000 carloads of Feve-
nue. freight. These industries will also
require the movement of considerable
less than carload freight.
THE policy of improving the terminals
of the property has been carried 6orwstd
ing new terminals, the sum of S1,16S'97l
was expended.
I'm addition to the above expenditures,
1854 1913 was advanced to the Arkansas and
Memphis Railway Bridge & Terminal Co
for the purpose of purchasing a bridge
site and land for terminals at Memphis |
Tenn, in connection with the construction |
of a bridge across the Mississippi river st |
that point.
period covered by this report were also
made to the Trinity & Brazos Valley Rail |
penditures for additions and betterments, |
equipment and operating deficttS of that |
company.
New Safety Bureau.
an order to promote the safety of en-
pfoSees and patrons and to reduce to y 7
minimum personal injuries, there was or
ganized on August l, 1912, safety bureau
with jurisdiction over the entire Rock
Island Lines. The organization embraces
practically every operating official, to-
sether with minor officers and employees.
and it is hoped that by cooperation N |
all concerned. a large percentage OF acci-
dents will be avoided.
I'm common with other railroads, the
gross revenue of the company decreased
and the expenses of operation increased,
as compared with the preceding fiscal |
year. The almost unparalleled weather
conditions during the winter of 19l1-194E
and the extraordinary flood conditions III |
the spring of 1872 during which latter
period, some forty miles of the track of
the company were under water for a period
of more than two weeks, made both for an
increase in expenses and decrease N
earnings. These conditions together vita |
the fact that the expenses for the year |
carry charge of $4,000 on account of in
creased rates of pay in employees wages.
compared with the preceding year, |
made it impossible to keep operating ek- |
penses down to level proportionate to
the earnings, consequently causing an in |
crease in the operating ratio.