REPORT. To the Honorable the General Assembly of Rhode Island: GENTLEMEN:-Section nine, chapter two hundred fifteen, of the General Laws of this State, provides that "the railroad commissioner shall annually report to the General Assembly the condition and proceedings of the several railroad corporations, so far as the public interest may require, with such suggestions and recommendations as he may deem necessary and expedient." In accordance therewith, I present the following report: The returns of the several railroad corporations are made up to the 30th day of June, 1909. The general report, however, is for the calendar year ending December 31st, 1909. SUMMARY OF STATISTICS. There are 8 steam railroad corporations incorporated under the laws of this State, or doing business therein, one less than a year ago. Only three roads are owned and operated under their original charters, viz.: The Narragansett Pier Railroad, the Wood River Branch, and the Moshassuck Valley; the mileage of these three roads, is less than sixteen miles. The other four roads are operated by the New York, New Haven and Hartford Railroad Company, either by ownership of stock, or by long leases. The Newport and Wickford Railroad and Steamboat Company has been in the hands of a receiver, but was finally disposed of, and is now the property of the New York, New Haven and Hartford Railroad Company. All of the railroads in the State, with the exception of the Wood River Branch, show an increase in the tons of merchandise carried, |