TWENTY-FIFTH ANNUAL REPORT

OF THE

Board of Railroad Commissioners

FOR THE

YEAR ENDING JUNE 30, 1902.

STATE OF IOWA

PRINTED BY ORDER OF THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY.

DES MOINES.

BERNARD MURPHY, STATE PRINTER.

RAILROAD COMMISSIONERS' REPORT.

STATE OF IOWA,

BOARD OF RAILROAD COMMISSIONERS,

DES MOINES.

To the Honorable A. B. Cummins, Governor of Iowa:

In compliance with the statute, we submit the following as the twenty-fifth annual report of the Board of Railroad Commissioners for the preceding year. It contains such facts, statements and explanations as far as practicable, as will disclose the working of the system of railroad transportation in this state, and its relation to the general business and prosperity of the citizens of the state, and such suggestions and recommendations in respect thereto as to the board. seems appropriate. The statutes of this state require that such report shall also contain, as to every railroad corporation doing business in the state, the following items of information, to-wit:

First-Amount of capital stock issued, the amounts paid therefor, and manner of payment.

Second-Dividends paid.

Third-Surplus fund, if any.

Fourth-Number of stockholders.

Fifth—The funded and floating debts and the interest paid thereon. Sixth-The cost and value of the carrier's property, franchises and equipment.

Seventh-The number of locomotive engines and cars used in the state, and the number supplied with automatic safety couplers, and the kind and number of brakes used, and the number of each.

Ninth-The amount expended for improvements each year, how and where expended, and the character of such improvements.

Tenth-The earnings and receipts from each branch of business and from all sources.

Eleventh-The operating and other expenses.

Twelfth-The balance of profit and loss.

Thirteenth-A complete exhibit of financial operations thereof each year, including an annual balance sheet.

Fourteenth-Such information in relation to rates or regulations concerning fares or freights, or agreements, arrangements or contracts with other carriers, and other statistics of the road and its transportation, as the board may require.

REPORTS OF RAILWAY COMPANIES.

The annual reports of the railway companies as filed in this office indicate that earnings in Iowa have increased over eight million dollars, bearing proper proportions to the earnings on entire systems, and that the operating expenses have increased something over two million dollars, making a net increase in earnings in the state of nearly two million dollars in excess of what it was a year ago. The mileage of the state has increased to some extent which might have a tendency to decrease the net earning per mile per road, but from the showing made by the companies, the net earnings per mile have also considerably increased during the past year. By reference to statistical tables submitted with this report, information in detail can be ascertained.

INTERLOCKING SWITCH SYSTEM.

The railroads of the state continue to install Interlocking Switch Systems for the protection of their trains and of life and property. A list of those placed in operation during the past year are as follows: Laurens crossing, Gowrie & N. W. and C. & N. W.

NATIONAL CONVENTION OF RAILROAD COMMISSIONERS.

The National Convention of Railroad Commissioners was held at Charleston, South Carolina, February 11, 1902. The members of this board, with their secretary, attended the convention. These conventions, as has been previously stated, are of considerable value to the board as it gives opportunity for interchanging of ideas among those all over the United States who are, by law, entrusted with the supervision of railroads. The interstate commerce commission publishes the proceedings of these conventions in full and the board has not thought it advisable to encumber its report with the same. As usual, the Iowa commission has been given a prominent part in the work of the convention.

ELECTRIC RAILWAYS.

The report of this board for this year does not include the operation of any electric interurban lines except the Waterloo & Cedar Falls Rapid Transit Co., which is operated partially by electricity, as none were completed and in operation by June 30th. The report next year, however, will include the operation of some of these lines. The General Assembly of 1902 placed electric interurban lines upon the same footing as other railways.

RAILWAY CHANGES.

By reference to the statistical tables it will be noted that many changes in the management and names of railways have taken place during the past year. The Sioux City & Pacific Railroad was purchased by the Chicago & Northwestern Railway Company and is now operated by that company. The Fremont, Elkhorn & Missouri Valley Railway, a part of the Northwestern system, now makes report to this board inasmuch as it has acquired trackage rights in Iowa over a portion of the road formerly known as the Sioux City & Pacific Railroad. The Des Moines, Iowa Falls & Northern Railway, a new railroad company with newly built line, makes its first report to this board, as does also the Manchester & Oneida Railway Company. The Boone Valley Railway Company is now known as the Marshalltown & Dakota Railway Company. The Omaha & St. Louis Railway has been purchased and is now operated by the Wabash Railway Company. The Winona & Western Railway only makes partial report to this board as it is now merged into the Wisconsin, Minnesota & Pacific Railway Company under the operation of the