The Evansville daily journal. [volume] (Evansville, Ia. [i.e. Ind.]) 1848-1862, 1853-03-25
Important Enterprise.


We are glad to hear that company is
about organizing in this city for the building
of double track Plank road from the head
of Main street to Pigeon Greek, about three
miles. Certainly We cannot conceive of any
improvement costing no more, SO well calcu-
lated for public benefit, or to benefit this pub
lic There is no road leading into Evans
vile so much travelled as the Princeton road,
nor is there one which from,its nature and
condition, more requires some such improves
ment as that which is contemplated for this
road. The wants Of the country and the re-
quirements of the city both demand that this
Improvement shall be made.
The county commissioners have given the
right of way for the contemplated Plank road
just so soon as company may be regularly
organized. We see no reason why COM
pany May not be organized in this city with
out much delay. An examination into facts
must convince any one that such road will
pay at least twenty per cent. on the capital
invested. We presume to put the road in
complete order. and erect the toll-houses,
about eight thousand dollars will be required.
The expense of keeping in repair, il proper
ly construct ed in the first place, will be but
small. Mr.. Owen estimates the cost of keep
ing plank road in repair at $40 per year.
The annual cost of gate keepers is general
ly estimated at Si20. There then remains
but the annual expense Of management, and
this, under charge of q careful board Of d.
rectors may be made snail. The Treasurer
and Secretary may be united in one person,
and fair salary would be SIS or $780,
Saying there are two toll gates, and the road
three miles long, the whole nnual expenses
ofthe road after completion, will be:
2 Toll-gates at Sl2O each, S240
Repairs, at $40 year, per mile, 80
Salary o. Treasurer and Secretary, 100
Travelling expenses of Board and In.
cidentals, say 80
Total, 1920
Now this is a far higher calculation thar
Mr.. Owen makes in his plank road calcula
tons. In road fifteen miles long, he say,
so or $50 per mile ought to cover all annua
expenses. So much for that part Of the sub
ject.
Mr.. Owen says, and we quote him as tn,
very best authority on this subject, that tn,
general result is, an average of twelve two
horse teams passing along plank road eacl
way each day, will return a clear dividend G
six per cent. to stockholders. He means tina
many two-horse teams or their equivalent
Now it would be safe 10 say that at the pre-
sent time fifty or sixty wagons. alone trave
the road between the head OF Main street an
Pigeon creek, saying nothing of buggies
horsemen, &c. 1t is calculated that plan
roads already built have increased the aver
age travel trebly. The travel on this roa
would certainly be increased. But sayin
only the equivalent of fifty two-horse wa
CONS passed and repassed day. By the Law
of the State, the toll on each such WACO
would be two cents a mile, making in tn
three miles six cents wagon-and repassin
in all twelve cents-or for the whole, 81
dollars day. This would be 50 100 year
Deducting expenses S430, leaves balance
Sl,77o, clear annual profits.
We admit this is a rough calculation, as
has been made on the moment-but the errt
will be found most likely in favor of our Dc
sition. There is no doubt in our mind, b.
the road would pay fine dividend. Plan
roads, properly constructed, always do. w
should like to see this enterprise 60 ahead.