20 THECUBAREVIEW 



THE CUBA RAILROAD COMPANY 



The following is a report of operations of the Cuba RR. Co. for the year ended June 30th, 

 1918, and a General Balance Sheet at that date. 



The gross earnings of the railroad for the year were $11,645,097.80, the net earnings after 

 deducting taxes were $3,860,243.44, while the gross income was $3,937,078.18. The operating 

 expenses of the railroad were heavily increased by the prevaihng high price of materials and 

 supplies and the increased cost of labor. For instance, coal which formerly cost $4.50 per 

 ton at the port of discharge in Cuba now costs $15 per ton. Fuel for locomotives for the year 

 cost $1,359,858.02, as compared with $554,180.54 the previous year. 



Charges amounting to $790,956.12 for depreciation of property have been made against 

 operation during the year. The reserve for this purpose now amounts to $1,090,276.43, while 

 the value at which the Marine and Industrial Company's capital stock is carried in the balance 

 sheet has been reduced by $32,000. 



During the year $343,342.72 has been charged against operation to cover the amount of 

 taxes actually paid during the year and to create a reserve w^hich now stands at $220,322.22 in 

 the balance sheet. 



To offset the increased cost of operating in Cuba, The Railroad Commission granted an 

 increase in passenger and freight rates of 20%, effective December 1st, 1917. The increase in 

 freight rates did not apply to foodstuffs and certain other commodities. 



Most of the damage done to the railroad during the revolution has been permanently 

 repaired. Some of the large steel bridges and other structures have. been only provisionally 

 repaired, pending the receipt of the permanent structural parts. Many of the stations which 

 were burned have been replaced by provisional structures which will have to be replaced later 

 by those of standard form. All of the equipment which was damaged has been repaked and 

 again put into service. The cost of these repairs to the extent of $505,332.55 is carried in sus- 

 pense, pending the decision of the Government of Cuba as to their willingness to pay for the 

 damage. 



The work of track and other improvements has been carried on vigorously throughout the 

 past year. Nine new passing tracks were built and 18 were extended, while 16 new business 

 tracks were built and 2 extended; altogether 12,262 miles of side track were built 



In the main line 21.2 miles of track have been lelaid with 75-pound rails, 11 miles were 

 rock ballasted and ballast was distributed alongside of track for another 5.5 miles. Ties to the 

 number of 180,379 were renewed during the year, representing 8.64% of all ties in the track. 

 In addition a large number of ties were provided for the construction of the Trinidad Lines. 

 Thirty bridges, aggregating 758 feet in length w^ere reulaced with permanent work, either steel 

 masonry, concrete or filUng, while 100 bridges, aggregating 7,259 feet were replaced with native 

 hardwood. The new turn-table, with 26 round house pits and radial tracks was completed at 

 Camaguey shops. There were built 4 standard stations, 24 provisional stations, 15 section 

 houses, 3 freight houses, 3 buildings for telegraph operators, 2 shelter sheds and platforms, 8 

 water tanks, 4 pump houses, 51 switchmen's shelters and 13 mlscellaneou'^ buildings, while 30 

 station platforms were extended. The large crusher for furnishing crushed rock ballast has 

 been completed and is in operation. 



The following additions have been made to the equipment: 2 first class cars, 4 second 

 class cars, 2 baggage-mail and express cars, 50 box cars, 15 stock cars, 70 gondola cars, 36 con- 

 vertible ballast cars, 8 side dump ballast cars, 4 ditcliing macliines with 2 spreader cars and 2 

 ditcher flat cars. 



Good progress has been made on the construction of the Trinidad Lines, which are now 

 complete with the exception of a short gap 3 miles in length, through the Agabama Gorge, 

 where 3 large bridges, aggregating 1,420 feet in length, are nearing completion. The con- 

 struction here is heavier than at any other portion of the line, but it is expected that the whole 

 line will be open for traffic by November. The total expenditure on the Trinidad Lines to 

 date amounts to $3,094,739.02, of w^hich $1,025,623.25 has been expended during the past 

 fiscal year. Practically no expenditure has been incurred on the construction of the Santa 



