The number of persons on the pay rolls of the railways in the United States, as returned for June 30, 1904, was 1,298,121, or 611 per 100 miles of line. These figures, when compared with corresponding ones for the year 1903, show a decrease of 16,416 in the number of employees, or 28 per 100 miles of line. The classification of employees, includes enginemen, 52,451; firemen, 55,004; conductors, 39,645, and other trainmen, 106,784. There were 46,262 switch tenders, crossing tenders, and watchmen. The amount of wages and salaries paid to employees during the year ending June 30, 1904, as reported, was $817,598,810.

50 Years Ago, 1955

• PORTLAND – Frank Sinatra landed tonight at Portland Municipal Airport to start work on the film version of “Carousel” in Boothbay Harbor. Also arriving was his female lead in the movie, Shirley Jones.

• WASHINGTON – Gen. Hugh M. Milton II, assistant secretary of the Army, said today the new military code for prisoners of war places responsibility for misconduct “solely on the individual.” Dr. Albert Somit, associate professor of government, New York University, formerly with Army psychological warfare, called the code “unrealistic.”

25 Years Ago, 1980

The week’s best selling records: 1. “Magic,” Olivia Newton-John; 2. “Take Your Times,” The S.O.S. Band; 3. “It’s Still Rock and Roll to Me,” Billy Joel; 4. “Emotional Rescue,” Rolling Stones; 5. “Sailing,” Christopher Cross; 6. “Little Jeannie,” Elton John; 7. “Tired of Toein’ the Line,” Rocky Burnette; 8. “Shining Star,” Manhattans; 9. “The Rose,” Bette Midler; 10. “More Love,” Kim Carnes.

Top country-western: 1. “Stand By Me,” Mickey Gilley; 2. “Drivin’ My Life Away,” Eddie Rabbitt; 3. “Dancin’ Cowboys,” Bellamy Brothers; 4. “Love the World Away,” Kenny Rogers; 5. “Cowboys and Clowns,” Ronnie Milsap; 6. “Tennessee River,” Alabama; 7. “Wayfaring Stranger,” Emmylou Harris; 8. “Crackers,” Barbara Mandrell; 9. “I’ve Never Seen the Likes of You,” Conway Twitty; 10. “Save Your Heart For Me,” Jacky Ward.