LETTER OF TRANSMITTAL OFFICE OF COMMISSIONERS OF RAILROADS, TO HON. FREDERICK B. FANCHER, Governor of the State of North Dakota. SIR: As required by law, we have the honor to submit to you the tenth annual report of the Commissioners of Railroads of North Dakota for the year ending Nov. 1, 1899, together with the annual reports for the fiscal year ending June 30th, 1899, of the following six railway lines, viz.: Northern Pacific Railway company, Great Northern Railway company, St. Paul, Minneapolis & Manitoba Railway company, Minneapolis, St. Paul & Sault Ste. Marie Railway company, Chicago, Milwaukee & St. Paul Railway -company, and the Chicago & Northwestern Railway company. JOHN SIMONS, Chairman. L. L. WALTON, HENRY ERICKSON, Attest: W. A. STICKLEY, Secretary. Commissioners. TENTH ANNUAL REPORT The past year has been the most prosperous to the people of North Dakota, of any in the history of the state. Every branch of business is enjoying unbounded prosperity, and especially have railroad interests increased. Each road has improved its bed, laid new steel, erected new depots, purchased the finest and best cars, both passenger and freight, to be had, built more powerful locomotives, and in every way possible provided for the comfort and safety of the traveling public, and the most prompt delivery of all kinds of traffic. Notwithstanding the fact that the different roads have been taxed to their utmost capacity to handle the immense volume of business, there has been very little, if any complaints. While there has been a great shortage of cars, the companies have in every case brought before them by this commission, supplied the demand in a manner satisfactory to complainants. In quite a number of cases there have been requests for improvements, such as loading platforms, sidetracks, etc., which could not be granted, for the reason that the companies were unable to secure labor, lumber and steel, the reason for this being the fact that the demand is so much greater than the supply. RAILROAD EXTENSIONS. There have been some extensions of railway lines in this state during the past year, one entirely new company has been formed and others surveyed. The Soo line company extended its Hankinson and Bismarck branch from Kulm northwest about 77 miles to a point in northeastern Emmons county. This line will in all probability be completed into Bismarck during the coming year. The Northern Pacific Railway company extended its Sykeston branch 15 miles west in Wells county and its Cooperstown branch about 25 miles northwest from Cooperstown. The Bismarck, Washburn & Fort Buford Railroad company has been organized, and has graded its roadbed about 50 miles north from Bismarck. The road will in all probability be completed into Washburn next year. All these extensions penetrate some of the richest country in the state and are great agents inducing immigration. |