The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1914-09-30
Bureau of Railway Economies
Publishes Statistics.
Shows Revenues and Expenses
for All u. s. Railroads.
IS GROWING CLOSER
Net Gains Lessened Greatly in
Past Fourteen Years.
Other Items of General Interest
in the Traffic World.

The bureau Of railway economics at
Washington has published statistics of
the railways in the United States COW
| ering a period from 1900 to 1912. The
statistics completely cover every de-
partment of the railroads and show
some interesting figures.
The bureau divided the roads in the
country into three districts, the east
ern. including the roads operating In
New England, from New York to Chi
cago and st. Louis and north Of the
( district lies east of the Mississippi
river and south of the Ohio river.
Pennsylvania and Maryland. The
western district comprises every state
Of Illinois, the northern part of Michi-
gan, Wisconsin and Minnesota.
In population, in 1900, 41.S per cent
Of the people of this country lived in
the eastern district; 21:S per cent In
the southern district and 1914 per cent
in the western district. In 1912, "A. s
per cent lived in the east, EOS in the
south and $50 in the west. The den
sity Of population is much greater in
the east. In 1900, there were 1913
persons to the square mile in the east:
37.7 in the south, and 1878 in the west.
In 1912, there were 1896 in the east;
44.5 in the south, and 1872 in the west
In the number Of miles operated in
tnlS country III 1919, Tie west is Lar
ahead with a mileage of 184,1S2: the
east is second with 121,463, and the
south third, $3.50. In the number of
miles Of side tracking, the eastern dis
trict leads with 23,363. the west.
g. 61, and the south. 6,32e.
In the total capital securities, the
western district is first, having a total
Of $685. 26,O79; the eastern district
is second, with $7,4O2, 0O3,S 16, and the
south. $2,s41.606.3 1923. Most Of the
actual capital stock is in the western
district. a heavy gain being made in
that direction since 1900. In 1912,
there was $15,OS7, 60O,65O in capital
securities in the hands of the govern
ment.
The average rate on dividend pay
ing stock in 1912 was III per cent, as
compared with 5.23 per cent in 1900.
This, however, was lower than at any
time since 1907. with the exception of
1908. Since the period covered by the
statistics. railroad dividends have suf-
fered a decrease. especially in the last
year. The prospects for the coming
year, in the west at least, are brighter
for stockholders than In some time
past.
The total operating revenue in the
s14, and in 1912. $2,s42.695,3S2. The
total operating expenses for 1912
amounted to 1901. 42s,511 in 1900 and
s1,972,415.776 in 1912. The net oper-
300 and $87O,279,606 in 1912 The
taxes were a great deal heavier in the
latter year.
The freight revenue in 1900 amount
ed TO $1,O49,256,323: in 1912, to ST.
96S,59S.630. The passenger revenue
in 1900 amounted to $323.715,639; in
1912 to $3.50, 373,176. The mail reve-
nue.. 1900. 37.752.474; in 1912, $780,
935.856. The express revenue, 1900,
$28,416.150; in 1912, $73,2O3,73O. Pas
senger service train revenue, includ-
ing excess baggage, parlor and chair
car, mail. express, milk and other
passenger train revenue. 1900, $685.
O45,285; 1912. $SO6.238.267.
The operating expenses increased
greatly between 1900 and 1872 In
the maintenance of way and struc-
lures. it amounted to $221,22O,521 in
1900; $367,448,229 in 1912. In main
tenance of equipment, $181, $50 in
1900; $45O.372.546 in 1912. Traffic
and transportation. $529,116,326 in
1900: s1.079.S37,63S in 1912. General