Page:U.S. Department of the Interior Annual Report 1879.djvu/37

Rh condition of road-bed, track, bridges, and equipment of the railroads visited.

Many defects have been pointed out by the engineer, which it is expected the companies will remedy. The general condition of the Pacific Railroads is better than was anticipated.

Since 1876 the local business on all of these railroads has improved, but more particularly on the Kansas Pacific, the Central Branch Union Pacific, the Atchison, Topeka and Santa Fé, and the Burlington and Missouri River Railroads, located in the States of Kansas and Nebraska.

The Auditor further shows, by a statement regarding the business of most of the railroads in the United States, that while the gross earnings of these roads for the year 1878 increased about 3⅝ per cent. over those of 1877, the increase of net earnings was nearly 9¾ per cent., indicating greater economy in operating expenses.

The report of the engineer shows that the line and grade of the Union Pacific Railroad, and the road-bed and track, can be improved in many respects.

The road has now 460 miles of track laid with steel. Iron bridges are being substituted for wooden. The equipment of the road is in good condition, and a full supply of every kind on hand.

About 30 per cent. of the operating expenses, that is to say, $1,654,795.82, were expended during the calendar year of 1878 on the maintenance of way, bridges, and buildings.

It is contemplated to build a new passenger depot at Ogden, and to improve the arrangement of yard, engine-houses, and shops.

Among the most valuable assets of this company are its coal mines at Carbon, Almy, and Rock Springs, the product of which it will be to the interest of the company to furnish at the lowest rate possible to settlers and others on its line.

The Union Pacific Railroad Company furnishes reports from which the following statements are derived:

The company owns: