Deficit.

NARROW GAUGE RAILROADS.

The following table shows the mileage, cost of construction, and equipment per mile of road, gross earnings, and expenses of operation; income from operation, and per cent. of operation to gross income, of the narrow gauge railroads in Maine, for year ending June 30, 1897.

Company.

The following table gives the gross earnings, expenses, income from operation, and percentage of operating expenses to gross income, of the narrow or two feet gauge railroads, for years ending June 30, 1896 and 1897.

Bridgton & Saco

River Railroad.. $29,514 62 $21,412 50 $8,102 12 72 $28,065 44 $19,019 60 $9,045 84

Phillips & Range-
ley Railroad 32,500 51 26,596 20
Rockport R. R.... 7,310 15 5,201 82
Sandy River R. R. 47,653 99 23,464 86 24,189 13 49 43,996 05 22,490 89 21,505 16

Wiscasset and

Quebec Railroad 18,715 13 25,245 93 6,530 80 1.34 19,177 28 20,960 34 †1,783 06 1.08

* Operates Kingfield and Dead River Railroad, 10 miles.

† Deficit.

5,904 31
2,108 33

71

2,266 22

81 29,933 80| 26,682 93|
2,131 40

3,250 87
134 82 94

89

51

ACCIDENTS UPON STEAM RAILROADS IN MAINE.

The accidents to passengers during the year ending June 30, 1897, were twenty-five injured, against four killed and eleven injured in 1896. Of the injured, ten were caused by derailments; twelve at stations and three from "other causes."

EMPLOYES.

Of employes, there were twenty killed and seventy injured, against six killed and sixty-one injured, in 1896.

Of the number killed, nineteen were trainmen; six being caused by coupling and uncoupling cars; five by falling from trains and engines; two from derailments; two from "other train accidents;" one at station, three from "other causes."

Of the injured, fifty were trainmen, and the injuries to twentyseven, were caused by coupling and uncoupling cars; nine from falling from trains or engines; five from overhead obstructions; one at highway crossing; two at stations; six from "other causes."

Of the other twenty employes who were injured, six were switchmen, flagmen or watchmen who were injured by coupling or uncoupling cars.

Of the fatal accidents to employes, thirty per cent. was from coupling and uncoupling, and of those injured, forty-eight per cent was from the same cause.

TRESPASSERS AND THOSE NOT TRESPASSING.

There were thirteen of the above named class of persons killed, twelve of whom were trespassers. Fifty-three were injured, of whom twenty-two were trespassers.

The following table gives cause of accidents referred to:

The report of the Interstate Commerce Commission upon the accidents and their causes, gives the following interesting statistics.

"The statistics submitted show that the number of railway employees killed during the year ending June 30, 1896, was 1,861, and the number injured was 29.969. These figures indicate an increase of 50 in the number killed, and of 4,273 in the number injured, as compared with the preceding year. The number of passengers killed was 181, and the number of passengers injured 2,873, being an increase of II in the number killed and of 498 in the number injured. The number of persons other than employees and passengers killed was 4,406, and

Injured.

Killed.

Injured.

Killed.

Injured.

the number injured 5,845. These figures include casualties to persons reported as trespassers, of whom 3,811 were killed and 4,468 were injured. From summaries showing the ratio of casualties it is found that for every 444 men employed on railways I was killed, and for every 28 men employed I was injured. A similar comparison as to trainmen shows that I trainman was killed for each 152 trainmen employed, and that I trainman was injured for each 10 trainmen employed. The number of passengers carried for 1 passenger killed was 2,827,474, and the number of passengers carried for I passenger injured was 178,132. As showing in another way the immunity of passengers from accidents, the report gives ratios based upon the number of miles traveled, from which it appears that 72,093,963 passenger-miles were accomplished for every passenger killed, and 4,541,945 passenger-miles for every passenger injured."

A comparison of accidents and causes etc., in Maine shows that there was one employe killed to 304 employed, and one injured to every eighty-seven employed. Of "trainmen," there was one killed to every sixty-four employed, and one injured to every forty-five employed.

It is a matter of congratulation, that of the 4,821,569 passengers carried, none were killed, and only twenty-five injured, the larger number being but slight injuries, many resulting from their own carelessness. There were 192,864 passengers carried to one injured.

Special reports upon "serious" accidents, which occurred upon the Grand Trunk Railway near Danville Junction, the 21st day of December, 1896; upon the Portland and Rumford Falls Railway, in Canton, August 31st, and upon the Maine Central Railroad near Etna, September 5, 1897, are published, as required by law, on pages 133-140, Part II of this Report. Passengers Killed and Injured in Maine, 1895, 1896, 1897.