REPORT FOR 1909

ENDING JUNE 30th.

To His Excellency,

B. B. COMER, Governor.

SIR: The Commission submits the following report of its acts for the year ending June 30th, 1909.

Since our last report there has been a gradual improvement in the commercial affairs of the country, which has done its part towards restoring railroad traffic to normal conditions by the end of the last fiscal year.

On a majority of the railroads operating within the State there was a decline in both the number of passengers carried and freight tonnage as compared with the two previous years, and it naturally follows there was a corresponding decrease in the gross income from operation. By adjustment of expenses, however, to meet conditions the net income from operation shows much better results than either of the preceding years. The earnings per train mile are greater and the ratio of operating expenses to operating revenue having been reduced an average of 6% on all the railroads for the year 1909 as compared with 1907 in which the railroads enjoyed the largest traffic in their history. The average net income from operation on all the railroads for the past year shows an average of $1,589.00 per mile of road as compared with $1,211.00 for the year 1907, and a total net income from operation of $7,745,398.62 for 1909 as compared with $5,563,328.58 for 1907.

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The average results of all the railroad mileage within the State are given rather than the individual statement of each railroad, as it will give a clearer idea of general conditions pertaining to railways.

To prevent the comparison from being misleading it is necessary to state that all the excess in net income from operation does not mean the actual results from operation in 1909 were so much larger than in 1907. In the item of maintenance, which is a part of the cost of operation many of the roads formerly charged much that should have been classed as improvements. These items have been eliminated from maintenance account in their 1909 statements. This has shown a material difference in the net income of some of the railroads while the statement of others have been effected but little especially the larger systems.

COMPLAINTS.

There has been a decrease in the number of complaints of every nature filed with the Commission. The Commission continues its policy of endeavoring to handle these in a practical way so as to reach the best results.

HEARINGS AND INVESTIGATIONS.

The Commission has had forty-seven formal hearings during the past year. Many investigations have been made and adjustments agreed upon and put into effect.

The Commission has filed two complaints before the Interstate Commerce Commission. The Railroad Commission of Alabama vs. Louisville & Nashville Railroad Company et al. asking reduction on classes B, C, D and F from the west. This petition in effect was request

ing the reinstatement of rates from Ohio and Mississippi River crossings to points in Alabama, which existed until a short period before the petition was filed. The testimony in this cause has been taken and argument of counsel submitted.

The other petition before the Interstate Commerce Commission is styled Railroad Commission of Alabama vs. Central of Georgia Railroad et al., and requesting a divorcement of the compression of cotton from the transportation of same and making a different rate for the two commodities.

DECISIONS AND ORDERS.

We hand you herewith copies of orders and decis ions of the Commission, which have all been complied with by the railroads. No proceeding has been institated in the courts during the past year as none were necessary.

CAR SERVICE.

There has been little complaint for failure to furnish cars when requested and the instances where the Commission's attention has been called to such delay the condition has been promptly relieved.

ACCIDENTS.

There has occurred during the past year ninety-seven deaths by accident and personal injury 1,143. Of the above number there were no passengers killed, and only 27 injured. Forty employes killed and 1,069 injured. There were 8,324,440 passengers handled during the year and 8,679 employes engaged in transportation.