This is all plainly demonstrated by this brief which I have here,
which I will make a part of my remarks, and these facts are practi-
cally undisputed. I have heard the mistaken statement made by
gentlemen — gentlemen who are no doubt honestly mistaken, and
who believe what they have said — that the cost of repairs to cars
by reason of the safety appliances required has increased wonder-

I have taken occasion to have made out a statement which shows
the cost per mile of line and the outside cost of the repairs and re-
newal of cars, locomotives, and every other item (fifty-odd items in all)
of expense of railroad operation. If you want to see it you will
have it here. It does not cost as much to-day by considerable per ton
per mile hauled for repairs as it did in 1893, notwithstandmg the
supposition of some of these gentlemen to the contrary. In this case
we took evidence in respect to the actual valuation of these railroads,
and taking their earnings, we show what per cent they have earned
upon the actual A'alue of the property, plus the additions that have
been made since they were valued. There are a great number of mat-
ters of importance embraced in this that if the committee desires
to know about, or if the committee desires some of the material facts
with respect to railroad operation — the cost of supplies and materials
and labor, the amount of stocks and bonds per mile of road, and the
amount of earnings, gross and net, per mile— ^yoru will be able to find
the facts set forth in this brief.
