Omaha daily bee. (Omaha [Neb.]) 187?-1922, 1916-01-02
FEWER MILES OF
TRACK WERE LAID
Railroads Hold Back on Expendi-
lures Because Of the General
Financial Conditions.
NEW LINES NOW PROJECTED

Less miles Of new railroad were built
IN the United States during 1915 than in
any other year for over fifty years. or
since 1854 and more miles Of railroad were
in receivers hands during the year than
ever before. according 20 the Railway
Age Gazette's summary OF its railway
statistics for the year, complied from
official sources and published in its an
nual review number. There have only
been three other years since 1Sfs when
tho increase In railway mileage was less
than 1000 miles and they we're the civil
war years OF 1851. 1852 and 1854.
In 1915 the total mileage OF new rail-
road constructed In the United states was
$50. as compared with 1852 in 1914 and
5O1 in 1871 There was also a large re-
ducuon in the mileage of second track
built. In addition to the new line there
was built s55 miles of second track, as
compared with SIS miles in 1914, and 1.064
in 1913, and sixty-five miles of third track,
fourth or other multiple track, making
a total OF 1854 miles of track. as COM
pared with 2.l27 in 1914 and 4466 in 1914
The largest mileage I'm one state was in
Pennsylvania, which heads the list OF
states with ninety-eight miles. Oregon
was second with eighty-three miles and
Washington third with seventy-one miles.
New lines were built in thirty-seven
states while none was built in eleven
states. Canadian roads built us miles OF
new first track. as compared with Isis
in 1914 Mexico Ss5 miles OF new line was
built as against none reported for 1914
New Lines Projected.
In the United States the reports re-
ceived by the Railway Age Gazette show
2.OS2 miles OF new line projected. 1924
under survey and 1901 under construc-
ton and uncompleted, a total of 1888
miles in prospect. A year ago there were
2Os1 miles of new line projected. l.229
miles surveyed and LOIS miles under con-
struction, or more than was actually
completed in 1915 In Canada there are
s75 miles OF line projected. 800 miles
under survey and 57S miles under con-
struction. a total of 1888 miles. and IN
Mexico twenty-five miles OF line arc be-
ing built.
On December 81. 1915. according TO tho
Railway Age Gazette's compilation, Ss,661
miles OF railroad with a total funded
debt Of 81. 607, s95 800. and total ff, O04, sol
capital stock. or securities amounting to
g. B4. SO0,3Oi In all. wero being operated
by receivers. This represents nearly one
sixth of the total mileage and capitali-
zation OF tho railways OF the country
On october 1. the mileage in receivers
hands. over 1900. was the greatest ever
recorded. Since then the receivership Of
the Wabash. with 2.5i5 miles. has been
terminated. and several smaller roads
have been sold under foreclosure. Tho
mileage now being operated by receivers
was exceeded in 1894. when the total was
40Sis on Juno 80. Roads having total
mileage OF 2o.1ts and total capitaliza-
ton OF sl.O7osos.62s went into receiver
ships during the calendar year 1915. This
Ii the greatest mileage placed In re-
ceivers' hands during one year since the
panic year. 1893.
Adds 90 Equipment
onel of the best Indications Of the prog
ress Of the railways Is the extent TO