Audubon Republican. [volume] (Audubon, Iowa) 1894-1925, 1915-06-10
IOWA ROADS PROFIT
REPORTS SHOW SUBSTANTIAL
INCREASE FOR 1914 DESPITE
BUSINESS DEPRESSION.
RETURNS NOW IN EJACULATION
Material Reductions Made In operat-
ing Expenses In Most Cases. viii
Show As Big Increase Last Year A
For The Year Previous.

For The Year Previous.
Des Moines.-Regardless of the de-
preston in 1914, the railroads of Iowa
did an increased business. The most
Of them cut down operating expenses
and their reports sent to the state
executive council show healthy gain
in net earnings.
The roads are now sending in state
ments of their 1914 business to A. H..
Dawson. secretary OF the executive
council. The returns will be tabulated
for the purpose of consideration by
the council In July when that body
takes up the work Of readjusting the
valuations of the roads for taxation.
Last year the reports of the roads
showed that the lines made $4,000
900 more in 1918 than they did in
1912. An examination of the re-
ports of the big railroads for 1914
indicate that they will show as big
an increase last year as for the year
previous. .
The Rock Island has the largest
business in Iowa. It's mileage last
year was 1908. The gross earnings
were SIS, 1899. compared with
s17,303,515.36 revenue received the
year previous. The net earnings
were s4,394,S3075, an increase Of
sS72,S5S52. This is brought about
by an increase of $S31,s2433 in re-
ceipts and a decrease of $40,933.S9
in operating expenses. The gross
earnings per mile were $S,232.14.
The mileage of the Milwaukee in
1914 was 1.s67S4, an increase Of
miles over 1913. The total reve-
nue. taken in was $16,4sS,6S15S, as
compared with 1892, 035.91 received
in 1918. The gross earnings per mile
were $S,s30.64.
The mileage Of the Northwestern
showed an increase from 1,599.37 to
1,610.63 miles. The gross earnings
were $19,526, 030.06. In 1918 the
gross earnings were slightly reduced
but operating expenses were cut so
as to overcome the dropping off in
receipts. The operating expenses in
1914 were s14, 49s, 4s9, 1888. The year
previous the road spent $14,S43,221.55
In operating. The net earnings last
year were $5,026,456.0S.
The mileage of the Burlington re-
manned the same in 1914 as In 1918.
1t was 1866 miles. The gross earn
ings were $12,599,21o62, compared
with $12,394 ,651.46 in 1918. Operating
expenses increased from $S,2SS,262.2l
in 1918 to $s,329,9 1885 in 1914. The
net revenue was 1929, 231.07, while
the year previous the net earnings
were S4,106,3S9.25.
The figures sent to the executive
council are for the Iowa business OF
these roads only.
Unique Question Raised.
Emory English, the state insurance
commissioner, was called to Marengo
to testify before the district court of
Iowa county in the case of the Citi-
Gems State bank OF Williamsburg
against the Title Guaranty and Surety
company of Scranton, Pa. The suit
Is for Judgment on a bond. The par
ticular question that involved the In
suranee department was getting serv-
ice on surety company. The Scran-
ton people denied the insurance COM
missioner's power of attorney. This
power is granted to the state auditor
by surety companies doing business in
the state and the legislature transfer
red this to the insurance commission
err. The Surety company holds that
this cannot be done.
Sign Names 10000 Times.
Governor Clarke and w. s. Allen,
secretary of state. will be pretty ia
miliar with their own signatures when
they finish the signing OF notorial
commissions which are being issued
from the governors office. There are
forty books OF commissions and each
book contains 200. All of these must
be signed by each of the state Off
cials mentioned, making $4,000 sigma
lures. There are 5000 notaries in the
state. They must renew their COM
missions IL they wish to continue
after July 4. The fee charged is S..
The total sum the state will receive
from this source is $4,000.
Iowa Not Affected.
Although Texas has recently issued
an order opening up that state to
shipment OF cattle from all but six
teen western states. the Iowa board
OF animal health says that Iowa is
not materially affected by the con-
tinuation of the ban. There are only
three shipments for that state being
held up at the present time, 1t is re-
ported. The ban has been on since
last November and is said to be for
the reason that il the foot and mouth
disease were to be introduced to the
big ranches of Texas, 1t would be
almost impossible to stamp 1t out.
Appeal to Railroad Commission.
J. III. Henderson, commerce coun-
sci for Iowa, held a conference at the
capitol with Ralph Pringle, attorney
Of Red Oak, to prepare for the fight
to be made before the state railroad
commission to compel the owners Of
the Atlantic Southern to resume sery-
ice. There will be no sale OF the
road for junk or otherwise" said Hen
derson. I'VE will take steps to pre-
vent it until we have presented our
case to the state railroad commission
and have received decision as to
whether service shall be resumed.
80
Better Use Of State House.
Wesley Greene, secretary of the
State Horticultural society, declares