Facts Worth Knowing

One-tenth of the entire railroads oí the United States are in Illinois. This State leads all others in the extent of its railway facilities. lts present total mileasfc is about midway between 6,000 and 7,000, with nev links beiag added all the time. Tho total of this State is about the same as tho amount added to "the total of the . nation dniing the last twelve months. From " Poor's Railroad Manual " wo take tho following oondensed paragraphs worthy of special note : "The earnings of the ronda of tho different seotions, of course differed greatly, the most produetive roads being those of the six New England States, the earnings of which, the past year, were $48,516,8.'i5, or 21.10 per cent. on a cost of $230,609,794. Tho cost per mile of the roads (4,574 miles) was $50,418; the earnings per mile, $10,630 ; earnings per head of population, at 3,589,000, $13.63. The number of inhabitants to each mile of road was 709. " The cost of tho 11,017 miles of road in operation ín the six Middle States equaled $922,700,774, or ■■f79.427 por mile. Their earnings were $11)9,205,702, or 18.30 per cent. of their cost. The earnings per mile were $14,595, and $15.86 per hoad of populution. The number of inhabitants to each mile of road was T92. " For the ten Western States and their contiguous Territories, the cost of the 28,778 miles of railroad in operation wsi.s $1,472,025,232, or $50,550 per mile. Their earnings equaled $103,826,253, or 13.10 per cent of the cost. Tioir earnings por milo were $(5,735 ; per head of population, $13.76. Tho number of inhabitants per mile of road was 490." With such xrofits for railway investments, no wonder the peoplo " groan, being burdened," and ask in a tone of oommand for transportation reform. - Chicafo Journal.