South Bend news-times. (South Bend, Ind.) 1913-1938, 1916-12-26
RAILROADS HAVE
7. PROSPEROUS YEAR
Total Net Income is Estimated
at More Than a
Billion.

WASHINGTON, Dec. 26.-More
than $1,000, 100000 net income from
operations was made by the rail-
roads of the country during the year
now closing. The huge total is the
peak of prosperity in railroad opera
tions. and stands more than one
third higher than the total of 1913,
hitherto the banner year.
Statistics gathered by the inter-
state commerce commission, COM
plete for nine months and made the
basis for calculation for the entire
year. indicate that the total net in
come from operations will be ap-
proximately s1,09S, 100000. For the
first nine months of the year. COM
plete returns show S7s5, 55S,266.
Even this does not represent the full
amount. as roads whose income is
less than 100000 are not includ-
ed.
Estimate Held Conservative.
The estimate-$1. 09S. 900, 0OO-is
regarded by officials as conserva-
tive. It makes no allowance for nor
NAL increase in business during the
last three months of the year-re-
turns for which are unavailable-but
places the income for October, No
vember. and December at the same
figures as for July, August. and Sep
TENDER. There is no question. Of
ficials say. but that there Will be an
increase; the only doubt is as to its
size.
Analysis of the returns for the
first nine months shows a startling
increase from January to Septem-
Der. amounting 20 more than 81 per-
cent. Thus, net income in January,
S64.915,2S6. had amounted to S107,-
91O.S14 in September, an increase of
nearly $43.O0O.0OO.
For the first nine months Of the
year. the commissions figures
show that the railroads collected
$2,654.S29,647 from all sources of
operation, the chief items of which
were as follows:
Freight Income Leads.
Freight. $50; passenger
traffic. S522, 1OS.9O7; mails. $45. 34S.-
sos: from express companies, $685.
-
buffet car service, operation of no
tells and restaurants, sale of vending
privileges on trains and at stations.
parcel rooms at stations. demurrage,
storage Of freight and baggage, tele-
graph and telephone wires leased
to other companies. operation OF
grain elevators. etc.-s60, Ala, 591,
and all other transportation charges,
$7S,0S7,611. The last item embraces
sleeping and parlor car service.
freight on milk which has been vir-
tually an express service; switching
charges and the operation of special
trains.
This total. using the first nine
months as a basis, will reach So
600, 64O,502 when the year closes, Of
fcials estimate, and without doubt
will exceed IT, Never before in the
history Of railroad operations have
the roads had so great a gross in
come.
Expenses up II Percent.
Expenses have not kept pace with
the rapid rise in receipts. although
they have measurably increased.
From a total OF S1S2,ss1.269 in jan
uary. expenses had increased TO
$20S,235.394 in September, approx
mately IL percent. During that pc
riod receipts had increased from
$3.50, O54.3 sos TO $342,954, 2O1 approx
imately % percent. The chief items
OF expenses for the nine months
period for which returns are avail
able, are as follows:
Maintenance OF way $32O,157,526;
maintenance Of equipment SAL
1900 transportation. SS5S.97S,-
536; traffic. S46.679,442; miscellane-
Gus operations SIs.sO4.769; general
expenses, including administration,
S6I.996.42S. All operating expenses
totaled $1,744,16O,O22.
on the same basis, :he years ex-
penses viii approximate S2,346,O66.-
$50. leaving net revenue trom opera
lions. s1,254.57S.512. From the last