in the State. The double tracking of the Naugatuck Division is completed to a point just south of the Seymour station, and the plans of changes to be made from that point thence through Seymour, Beacon Falls, Naugatuck, and Union City into and through the city of Waterbury have been approved by us, and the work incident thereto is in various stages of progress. The double tracking of the Highland Division from Hopewell Junction east to Danbury is practically completed with few exceptions, and is to be extended from Danbury to Waterbury and thence to Bristol, from which point to Hartford the double track already extends.

The widening of the "cut," so-called, through the city of New Haven, sufficiently to afford room for four tracks and the raising of the streets crossing the same to give a clear headroom of at least sixteen feet for the passage of trains, has long been considered a necessity which could not longer be deferred. We are pleased to state that plans for this much needed change, mutually satisfactory to the city of New Haven and the railroad company, have been approved by us, and the work involved in these changes is now in progress.

Important changes on the Valley branch in the city of Hartford are being made to adjust tracks, freight stations, and grounds to conform to the changed conditions produced by the construction of the new highway bridge over the Connecticut River.

The year ending June 30, 1905, was one of unexampled prosperity, so far as the traffic of the steam railroads was concerned. The gross earnings are greater than ever before reported, amounting to $52,057,903.49, being $1,868,918.62 more than the earnings of the previous year. Of the foregoing amount, $49,981,947.77 was earned by the New York, New Haven & Hartford Railroad Company; $1,080,083.47 by the New London Northern Railroad Company; $979,439.43 by the Central New England Railway Company, and $16,432.82 by the South Manchester Railroad Company, an increase in the gross earnings of each company over those of the previous year. To this result the passenger department contributed $24,661,805.72, and the freight department $26,861,404.09. The net

earnings were $14,311,261.27, being $869,069.39 more than for the preceding year. There has been an increase of 87,775 in the number of passengers carried, and of 575,318 in the tons of freight handled.

PROCEEDINGS OF THE BOARD PERTAINING TO STEAM RAILROADS.

WATERBURY.

The Naugatuck Railroad Company presented its petition. for the elimination of a highway grade-crossing in the town of Waterbury, known as Platt's Mills crossing, and after hearing the petitioners and the town, an order was issued on December 21, 1904, granting the petition substantially as agreed between the railroad company and the town, the changes to be made at the sole expense of the railroad company.

WESTBROOK.

On December 12, 1904, the New York, New Haven & Hartford Railroad Company presented a petition for the condemnation of certain land in the town of Westbrook for the extension of its depot grounds, and after due notice to the parties and a hearing thereon, we decided, on January 4, 1905, that public convenience and necessity required the taking of the land for the enlargement of the station grounds at said place, and for said purpose approved the taking of said land.

NEW LONDON.

Upon the petition of the Mayor of the City of New London permission was given, on January 20, 1905, to lay a side track, for switching purposes only, from the tracks of the New York, New Haven & Hartford Railroad Company, in said city, at grade, across Sparyard Street to and into the land of Benjamin A. Armstrong and others for warehouse purposes.

CENTERVILLE STATION.

The New York, New Haven & Hartford Railroad Company presented a petition for the discontinuance of a flag station known as Centerville in the town of Hamden. After giving

the notice required by Section 3744 of the General Statutes, hearing was had in the station, at which it appeared that the public use of the station was so slight since the extension of the trolley lines into the neighborhood as not to warrant its continuance. We, therefore, approved of its abandonment on January 24, 1905.

NAUGATUCK.

On January 20, 1905, the Warden and Burgesses of the Borough of Naugatuck presented a petition for protection of a grade crossing in said borough known as Water Street. After due notice and hearing, we ordered, on February 7, 1905, a flagman to be stationed at said crossing daily, Sundays excepted, between the hours of 6.45 A. M. and 8.45 P. M., to give notice to those using said highway of the approach of all engines, cars, or trains during the aforesaid hours.

PUTNAM.

On February 18, 1905, the New York, New Haven & Hartford Railroad Company brought petition for the condemnation of certain lands owned by various parties in the town of Putnam needed for station purposes. After due notice and hearing of the parties interested, we approved, on March 9, 1905, the taking of said lands for the purposes stated in said petition.

WATERBURY.

On the 31st day of December, 1904, the Naugatuck Railroad Company, the New England Railroad Company, and the New York, New Haven & Hartford Railroad Company presented a petition for certain changes in the city of Waterbury for the purposes of providing a union depot, eliminating certain grade crossings, adding to the number of main tracks, securing additional room for a freight station and yard, and to take certain lands for said changes, upon which we issued an order for hearing on January 16, 1905, when the parties were heard, and said hearing was continued from time to time until March 20, 1905, when plans for said changes were submitted, which were mutually satisfactory to said city and said rail

road companies, and which were approved and ordered by us April 6, 1905.

STAMFORD.

On the 9th day of May, 1905, the Mayor of the City of Stamford presented a petition for a side track for switching purposes from the tracks of the New York, New Haven & Hartford Railroad Company across Orchard Street and Southfield Avenue at grade to and into private property on the easterly side of said Southfield Avenue with such side tracks, turnouts, and switches connecting with said property as might be necessary or convenient. After due notice and hearing the petition was granted.

SHELTON.

Upon the petition of the borough of Shelton in the town of Huntington, asking permission for the Shelton Manufacturing Company of said borough, to construct, maintain, and operate a side track for switching purposes only at grade along and upon Canal Street and across Cornell Street in said borough, such permission was granted on May 18, 1905, after due notice and hearing thereon, with the usual restrictions as to speed and the requirement to flag the crossing when so used.

PUTNAM.

The Mayor and Common Council of the City of Putnam presented to us their petition dated December 18, 1903, asking for certain changes in Front, Main, and South Main Streets in said city, upon which we ordered a hearing on January 20, 1904, which was continued from time to time until May 16, 1905, and on May 23, 1905, we issued an order in accordance with an agreement of the parties providing that South Main Street be altered so as not to cross the tracks of the railroad company at grade, but should be carried on the easterly side of the Norwich & Worcester Railroad northerly to a connection with Front Street, and when so changed the Main Street grade crossing to be closed and discontinued. The cost of said changes to be paid by the railroad company in accordance with said agreement.

WEST CORNWALL.

The Selectmen of the town of Cornwall petitioned for additional protection at the main highway leading through the village of West Cornwall, crossing the tracks of the Berkshire Division of the New York, New Haven & Hartford Railroad Company. After hearing the parties and visiting and examining the locality, we ordered the establishment of an electric signal bell at said crossing.

WASHINGTON.

The Selectmen of the town of Washington petitioned for a gate, flagman, or electric signal at each of the five highways north of the station in said town, crossed by the Litchfield branch of the New York, New Haven & Hartford Railroad Company. After a hearing and an examination of the crossings, in view of the limited number of trains, slow rate of speed, and the small amount of travel on the highways, together with the fact that the crossings have been safely used for a period of thirty years, with a single slight exception, we felt that with the exercise of such reasonable precaution as the law requires, the several crossings could be safely used as heretofore, without additional protection. The petition, was therefore denied.

BRIDGEPORT.

The General Assembly of 1905 authorized the Wheeler & Wilson Manufacturing Company and the Union Metallic Cartridge Company of Bridgeport to construct, maintain, and operate by steam power a single track railway at grade, with suitable and necessary turnouts, side tracks, spur tracks, and switches connecting with their property and the property of the Connecticut Railway and Lighting Company, on East Washington Avenue in said city of Bridgeport, and, such other manufacturing and mercantile establishments as may hereafter be located on or near said avenue, said side tracks to be used for the transportation by engines and cars, of freight, goods, wares, and merchandise only to and from the property of the said Wheeler & Wilson Manufacturing Company and said Union Metallic