Democratic Sentinel, Volume 5, Number 42, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 25 November 1881 — Land-Grant Railroads. [ARTICLE]

Land-Grant Railroads.

Secretary of the Interior Kirkwood, in his annual report, says that during the last fiscal year about 6,900 miles of subsidized and landgrant railroads, subject, to the supervision of tho bureau, had been examined, and rheir books, especially those of the Union Pacific and Central Pacific roads, carefully compared with the reports rendered by the companies.

Ho says: “Although the past severe and protracted winter was accompanied by unusual floods and storms, which destroyed much property and materially increased the expenditures for inaini. ining tbo same, it was noticeably that a substantial improvement in the properte of the roads in which tho Government has direct interest had been made, and in general the report! rendered indicate a marked increase in their business.” Following are the gross and net earnings of the Pacific roads for tho year ending June 30, 1881 : Union Pacific—Gross earnings, $22,765,752 ; operating expenses. $11,474,910 ; net earnings, $11,290,842. Total number of miles operated, 1,819. Central Pacific—Gross earnings, $22,893,344 ; operating expenses and rentals, $13,502,504 ; net earnings, $9,390,840 ; average number of miles operated, 2,614. Northern Pacific—Gross earnings, $2,931,802; operating expenses, $1,946,157 ; net earnings, $985,645. Number of miles operated, 754. The last annual report of the operations of the Texas Pacific road has not been received at tbe department. Secretary Kirwood reports, however, that work upon the road is Doing pushed rapidly forward, and anticipated that the hne will be completed and trains running to El Paso on the first day of January next. The Secretary suggests that the Thurman act of May 7. 1878, should be so amended as to embrace the subsidized portion of the Kansas division of the Union Pacific railway.