Commissioner Rogers called up the matter of lessor companies, being the report of the accountant as to recommending the relieving of lessor and summer roads from making quarterly reports, as follows: To the Honorable Board of Railroad Commissioners: ALBANY, September 22, 1884. GENTLEMEN In compliance with your instructions contained in resolution adopted 9th instant, I beg to present the names of other lessor railroad companies as well as several exclusively suminer traffic railroad companies not heretofore excused from making quarterly reports, the expediency of excusing them, however, you wished to consider. Albany and Vermont (Lessor). Albany to Waterford junction. Twelve miles. Leased to Rensselaer and Saratoga railroad in perpetuity and operated by Delaware and Hudson Canal Company. Rental received $20,000 per annum. Dividends paid three per cent on $600,000 stock. No funded debt. Operation reported by operator. Leased to Rensselaer and Saratoga Railroad Company. Canal (Lessor). Elmira to Horseheads. Six miles long. Leased to Utica, Ithaca and Elmira, now Elmira, Cortland and Northern Railroad Company, at $7,000 per annum. Operation included in lessee's report. Capital stock, $60,000. Funded debt, $100,000. Middletown, Unionville and Water Gap (Lessor). - Middletown to Unionville. Thirteen miles long. Leased to New York, Susquehanna and Western Railroad Company, upon terms not yet fully agreed upon. Operations reported by lessee. New York and Manhattan Beach (Lessor). Greenpoint to Manhattan Beach, Coney Island, etc. Fifteen miles long. Leased to Long Island Railroad Company, ninety-nine years, at a minimun rental of $92,500 per annum. Operation included in report of lessee. Rensselaer and Saratoga (Lessor). - Albany to Whitehall, etc. One hundred and ninetytwo miles. Leased to Delaware and Hudson Canal Company. Seven per cent interest and dividends paid bondholders and stockholders direct. Operations reported by lessee. Settlement made with lessee yearly for improvements, etc. No change in quarterly reports. Babylon Railroad. Horse line at Babylon from Steamboat Dock to South Side railroad, one and one-half miles. Operated about three mouths in each year for accommodation of summer travel to Fire Island. Stock nearly all owned by D. S. Sammis of Surf Hotel, Fire Island. Report 1883, says: Capital stock, $5,600; debt, $4,519,21; cost of road, $10,519.32; earnings, $382.90; expenses, $505.30. Catskill Mountain Railroad. -Catskill to Palenville. Fifteen miles. Capital stock, $88,652.01. Funded debt, $200,000. Unfunded debt, $60,725.98, as per report of 1883. Earnings, 1883, $23,052.96. Expenses and interest, $29,425.49. Cost of road, etc., $386,326.15. Operated from June to October each year which is shown in annual report. Conesus Lake Railroad. From Trews, on New York, Lake Erie and Western railroad to Steamboat pier at Lakeville, New York, one and three-quarter miles. Report of 1883 shows: Capital stock, $200; funded debt, $7,777.50; unfunded debt, $1,776.77; cost of road, etc., $12,673.67; earnings, $979.44; expenses and interest, $1,720.92. Operated in summer only, and annual report shows such operation. Kaaterskill Railroad. - Tannersville Junction to Kaaterskill. Seven and one-half miles. Report for 1883 shows: Capital stock, $100,000; unfunded debt, $63,717.94; cost of road, $159,140.98; earnings, $11,689.02; expenses and interest, $6,253.53. Operated in summer only, and annual report shows such operation. Long Beach Marine Railroad. Long Beach. Four miles. Report of 1888 shows: Capital stock, $100,000; funded debt, $50,000; unfunded debt, $2,257.87; cost of road, $146,000; earnings, $1,509.85; expenses, $3,767.72. Operated in summer only, and annual report shows such operation. Now in hands of receiver. Marine Railroad. Manhattan Beach, Coney Island. Two miles. Report of 1883 shows: Capital stock, $50,000; unfunded debt, $7,746.60; cost of road, $77,227.58; earnings, $40,966.37; expenses, $23,130.67. Operated in summer only, and annual report shows such operation. Saratoga, Mt. McGregor and Lake George Railroad. -Saratoga and Mt. McGregor. Ten and one-half miles. Report of 1883 shows: Capital stock, $380,000; funded debt, $111,500; uafunded debt, $156,515.25; cost of road, etc., $632,662.14; earnings, $15,325.70; expenses and interest, $19,631.24. Operated in summer only, and annual report shows such operation. All of which is respectfully submitted, H. M. THOMPSON, Accountant. Commissioner Rogers offered the following: Resolved, That the several railroad companies contained in the report of the accountant to the Board be excused from making quarterly reports, unless otherwise ordered. Carried. Commissioner Kernan offered the following: Resolved, That the Syracuse and Geddes and New York, West Shore and Buffalo Railway Companies be notified that unless quarterly reports be made for quarter ending June 30, 1884, as directed by the Board, within ten days, the officers of the roads will be cited before the Board to show cause why complaint should not be made against them for their neglect and refusal to furnish said report, as required under section 7, chapter 353, Laws of State of New York of the year 1882. Carried. Commissioner Kernan offered the following: Resolved, That H. M. Thompson be directed to instruct the Long Island City and Newtown, and the South Ferry railroads, as to form and manner of making quarterly reports. Carried. Commissioner Kernan offered the following: Resolved, That the accountant be authorized to employ E. B. Hastings as an assistant to aid in preparing the tabulations and statistics for the annual report, at a compensation not to exceed $175 a month. Carried. Commissioner Kernan offered the following: Resolved, That the reports of the accountant and inspector, as to the Herkimer, Newport and Poland Railway Company, be transmitted to the road with communication. Commissioner Rogers reported that he had examined all the accident reports up to date and had given instructions as to the same. Accepted. Commissioner Rogers also reported that he had examined the reports of the inspector up to date and had caused the necessary letters to be written. Accepted. The Board then adjourned until September 29, at 3 P. M. WILLIAM C. HUDSON, Secretary. SEPTEMBER 29, 1884. The Board met pursuant to adjournment. Present Commissioners Kernan and Rogers. The minutes were read and approved. The Secretary submitted as unfinished business: Letter of superintendent Grand Trunk Railroad Company. Commissioner Rogers moved that a copy of the letter of the Delaware and Hudson Canal Company be sent to the Grand Trunk and the Ogdensburgh and Lake Champlain Railroad Company, with the request that they advise the Board as to their views as to the propriety of their aiding in the proposition of the Delaware and Hudson Canal Company, and that copies of the correspondence be sent Mr. Leonard. Letter of Frank Eno, relative to Newburgh, Dutchess and Connecticut milk case. Letter of C. M. Depew, relative to the same. Ordered filed with the papers of the case. Letter of R. A. Vervalen, relative to the Haverstraw station. Ordered that the letter be filed with the papers, and that the matter be referred to Commissioner Rogers to write in explanation of the recommendation of the Board. Letter of Mr. Mullen, relative to the matter of stockholders against Rome, Watertown and Ogdensburgh Railroad Company. Ordered Secretary telegraph that General Swayne was not to send brief until Wednes day, and that Mr. Mullen could have until Saturday to answer. Also, that Secretary telegraph Mr. Parsons that Board grants privilege to file with his brief such other paper or answer as he desires. Letter of W. H. Havens, of Paterson. Ordered that Secretary write that it is inconvenient for the Board to visit Jersey City, but would be pleased to have in writing particulars and description of pump attachment, and that the Board presumes that it is not similar to a device now in use on the Delaware and Hudson Canal Company, by which the injector is brought into play to force water through a hose. The Secretary submitted, under instruction of the Board at its last meeting, the letter of Mr. Salmon, M. D., relative to the condition of the tracks of the Troy and Boston railroad, laid over until this meeting. Ordered that Mr. Robinson, president of the Troy and Boston, be informed, that the Board will inspect the Troy and Boston on October 7th, and would like such facilities engine and car - as is necessary to meet it at Troy, 8:30 A. M. Commissioner Rogers submitted a report of the inspection of New York Central road made by Mr. Spencer, with the recommendation that a copy thereof be sent to the New York Central and Hudson River Railroad Company. So ordered. Also, the report of the inspection of the Brooklyn, Bath and Coney Island Railroad Co. Referred to Commissioner Kernan to be reinspected. Commissioner Rogers called up cases Nos. 108, 111 and 132. Ordered that a hearing be set down on the above cases at Albany, October 14, 10 a. м. Commissioner Rogers called up case 118 (town of Riga). Ordered that the Secretary write the clerk of town, what answer the town makes to the suggestion of the Board. Commissioner Rogers called up his minority report on the Long Island milk case. The Board then adjourned until Monday, October 6, at 3 P. M. WILLIAM C. HUDSON, Secretary. MIDDLETOWN, UNIONVILLE AND WATER GAP RAILROAD. This line of railway extends from Middletown to Unionville and the New Jer sey State line, a distance of thirteen miles. The line passes over an easy-rolling country, with light grades, but considerable curvature. The road-bed is of good width; road-way sixty-six feet wide, and in ordinary keeping, and fenced mostly with posts and boards more or less dilapidated and broken, and some of it entirely gone. A number of highway crossing signs are down. There are no low, over-head bridges. The ballast is gravel, of which but a thin coating now appears, and that much worn. The ties are oak and chestnut, spaced 2,640 per mile, poorly maintained, many decayed below proper strength. There were 3,600 new ties put in this past year, but the amount of renewals should be increased next season sufficiently to bring the road up to a better condition. Rail is iron, fifty-six pounds per yard, with fish-plate fastenings, stub switches and spring-rail crossing plates. It is in very poor order, full of short pieces, and some have had ends cut off and bolt holes neglected. Fish-plates are not all secured properly to rail, many bolts being omitted. The line and surface of track is in medium condition, and the ditches are too much neglected. The bridges and openings were all carefully inspected, and were found as follows: At Middletown, over the Erie railroad, a ninety feet span, riveted iron lattice, resting at ends on double bents. The approach from the north is a trestle bridge of forty-four bents of eleven feet span, and on a curve. At the south end there. is a like trestle of twenty-six bays, also on a curve. These trestles rest on mud sills; they have twelve by twelve inch section of timber in bents, and seven by fourteen inches double track stringers, ordinary road bed ties, spaced two feet between centers, with a small spring ribbon spiked to the end of them. All trains run five miles an hour over this structure, and water-butts and watchmen are provided to protect against fire. The truss over the Erie road has a good, close floor system, but guard rails are insufficiently bolted to ties. The next is a thirty feet span girder-rod truss, in good order, and over a branch of Rutgers creek is a through low Howe truss forty-five feet span, very old, and outside lower chords of both trusses badly decayed. Bents were advised to be placed beneath this bridge at once. Another like truss of forty-five feet span over Rutgers creek is in almost the same condition. The timber is some better in life than the first, but is too far gone, and a bent at center was advised. Both of these bridges should be rebuilt immediately, as there is danger of ice and water removing bents. South of Smithtown is a three-bay trestle of fifteen feet span, stringers double, seven by fourteen inches section, with braces underneath, resting against the abutments and the center bents. The ties and guard timbers are too old, and should be renewed. The braces are in good condition, but the construction is faulty; at least girder rods or strong corbels are preferable, and less danger of becoming displaced. There are a number of cattle-guards, and also some ten feet span water-ways that have open floors, and much of the masonry at short spans is broken and crumbling, the stone being of poor quality and laid dry. South of Unionville is an A truss of about thirty feet span entirely gone with decay. The track rests on bents, the posts of which are doweled into the rock-bed of the stream. The abutments are in very good order. At At Middletown the depot of the New York, Ontario and Western railroad is used, but the company have an engine-house and turn-table. Slate Hill depot is a small one waiting-room station. Smithtown depot is about the same. Unionville there is a good two waiting-room depot, well furnished, in good order and cleanly kept. Generally the road is considerably run down, and requires a large renewal of ballast, ties and rails, beside the truss bridges mentioned, and much of the fencing should be rebuilt. NEW COMPANIES FORMED UNDER THE GENERAL RAILROAD LAW DURING THE YEAR ENDING SEPTEMBER 30, 1884. The following companies have been formed by filing articles of association in the office of the Secretary of State: THE ATTICA, LOCKPORT AND LAKE ONTARIO RAILROAD COMPANY. Articles of association filed November 24, 1883. To be constructed from the village of Attica, county of Wyoming, running thence north-westerly through the counties of Wyoming, Genesee, Erie and Niagara, via Lockport to the village of Youngstown in said county of Niagara. Length of road, about sixty miles. Capital stock, $1,500,000. THE BROADWAY RAILROAD COMPANY. Articles of association filed May 8, 1884. To be built upon the surface of certain streets in the city of New York, as set forth in said articles. Length of road, about two and one-half miles. Capital stock, $100,000. THE BROADWAY, LEXINGTON AND FIFTH AVENUE RAILROAD COMPANY. Articles of association filed July 5, 1884. To be built upon the surface and along certain streets in the city of New York, in three different routes to be designated, first, the Broadway route, about three miles long; second, the Lexington Avenue route, about five miles long; third, the Fifth Avenue route, about four miles long. These several routes are to be operated in connection with each other under the system of and controlled by the United States Cable Road and Subway Company. Length of whole route, about twelve miles. Capital stock, $150,000. THE BROADWAY SURFACE RAILROAD COMPANY. Articles of association filed May 13, 1884. To be constructed in the city of New York, upon the surface of certain streets as described in said articles. Length of road, about three miles. Capital stock, $1,000,000. THE BROOKLYN AND JERSEY CITY FERRY RAILROAD COMPANY. Articles of association filed July 26, 1884. Running through certain streets in the city of New York, from Fulton ferry on the East river to Liberty Street ferry on the North river. Length of road, about three miles. Capital stock, $150,000. THE BROOKLYN AND LONG ISLAND CABLE RAILWAY COMPANY. Articles of association filed March 13, 1884. To be constructed in the city of Brooklyn, from the South ferry and from the Fulton ferry, upon, over and through certain streets, as described in said articles, to Jamaica; a portion of the line to be an elevated railway as designated. Length of road, fifteen miles. Capital stock, $1,000,000. THE BUFFALO HARBOR RAILROAD COMPANY. Articles of association filed November 28, 1883. To be constructed from a point on the south-westerly line of outer lot 41, in the city of Buffalo, 100 feet north-westerly from its intersection with the division line between outer lots 41 and 42, in said city of Buffalo, for the distance of 770 feet, in a north-easterly direction, to a point on the south line of the city ship canal, about six feet distant easterly from the Chicago transfer elevator. Also another line of railroad to be constructed from a point on the above designated line of road, three feet distant from its point of beginning, and running thence in a north-easterly direction, for a distance of about 332 feet, to a point on the tracks of the Buffalo, New York and Philadelphia Railway Company. Length of both lines, 1,102 feet. Capital stock, $10,000. THE CAIRO RAILROAD COMPANY. Articles of association filed April 10, 1884. To be a narrow gauge road, commencing at some convenient point on the line of the Catskill Mountain railroad, in the town of Catskill, and running thence by the most direct and feasible route through a portion of the town of Cairo, and terminating at or near the village of Cairo. Located in Greene county. Length of road, about four miles. Capital stock, $25,000. THE CANTON AND WADDINGTON RAILROAD COMPANY. Articles of association filed March 13, 1884. To be constructed from some point in the town of Waddington, county of St. Lawrence, on the St. Lawrence river, thence in a southerly direction to some point of connection with the projected road known as the Adirondack Railway Company, in the towns of Madrid, Lisbon or Canton. Length of road, about twenty miles. Capital stock, $500,000. THE CHAMBERS STREET RAILROAD COMPANY. Articles of association filed June 12, 1884. To be built upon and along certain streets in the city of New York. Capital stock, $100,000. THE CHAMBERS STREET AND GRAND STREET FERRY RAILROAD COMPANY. Articles of association filed August 9, 1884. To be constructed, maintained and operated along the surface of certain streets in the city of New York, as set forth in said articles. Length of road, about two and one half miles. Capital stock, $800,000. THE CITY RAILWAY COMPANY. Articles of association filed December 22, 1883. Located in the city of Binghamton. Length of road, about three miles. Capital stock, $30,000. |