Port Tobacco times, and Charles County advertiser. (Port Tobacco, Md.) 1845-1898, 1855-07-19

and but lew OF q minor character, dhn 'Ae'0
will be no heavy excavations or embank-
men,s to cause expensive repairs, after the
road is in operation.
These are all important features Of great
value in the future operations Of the road,
ss contributing in high degree to economy
and safety.
When to the advantages thus combined is
added the consideration tha, your road will
yield ample returns on it's cost, and will
constitute link in the great chain OF inter-
communication along the Atlantic coast,
passing through the great commercial en-
porums of the country, from Maine TO Loui-
sians, no further reasons need be adduced
10 strengthen your conviction in favor OF
making yours a first class road, thoroughly
finished before being opened for use.
| 1t has become a source Of frequent dis
appointment and of almost universal COM
plant, that after a new road has been OPEN
ed for use an annual expenditure Of many
years is required TO perfec. the work. This
expense arises from incomplete construction
in the frs. instance, and must call alter
wards for an increase of capital TO meet
construction amount, or more frequently II
becomes charge against the repairs, which
mus. be me, by deductions from the annual
revenue. This, Of course, reduces the net
earnings oflhe road, and deprives the Stock
holders e,a time when they perhaps need and
are eagerly looking for return from their
investments Of the expected Dividends
The result is disappointment and loss OF
confidence, followed by dispersion IN
the stock marke. of some Of The most valu-
able and promising roads in the country.
The evils resulting from these causes are
the more 10 be deplored because they are
hard TO be understood. the public blending
q deficient net revenue, with supposed
wan. of resources in the country through
which The road passes, to yield gross in
come sufficien. 10 pay expected profits on
their investment, often lose all confidence
in the ability of road ever to pay at ALL;
when i. may be work of intrinsic merit,
with power, under good management, 10
confer public Benefit, and with jus! claim
on public confidence and support.
The expenses called for 10 meet defec-
tive construction should be carefully dis
,ingushed from those ousays for addition
al sldelings, depo.s, station houses, shops
and machinery, demanded from time to time
10 accommodate The increasee business
which every new road will develope for
many years alter ii has been opened for
use.
The experience OF ell we'll located rail-
roads shows a progressive increase OF busi-
ness, ou.lays 10 meet which are wise and
legi,ims,., as indicating prosperous con-
ditlon Of affairs; while expenditures requir-
ed 10 remedy the defects of a road opened
for use before i, is fairly completed, dscov-
er wan. of foresight, always impair the
intrinsic value Of its stock, and often by
creating inability to make dividends cause
dis,rus, or psnic in The stock market, and
widespread misfortune TO individuals and
communities.
There iss high responsibility imposed
on those who take charge Of the construc-
lion of public works, TO protect the public
from disappointment. end loss by firmly re-
sis,ing The impatient wishes Of The commu-
; nifty for a premature "opening," and by al
lowing due time for the maturing Of plans,
! the proper execution end consolidation Of
work, which Railroad like any other ma
I chine, requires to ensure Perfection.
The estimates Of y our road are based up
on width Of cutting al grade OF eighteen
: feet, and on embsnk men,s Of fifteen feet. A
I substantial gravel ballas. to be provided
r wherever The natural soil does not supply
is, while tho road is being "graded."
Upon this bsllas. the supers.ructure will
: be laid on cross Ties, eight 10 twelve inches
!. face and seven inches thick, sarmounted by
8 rail of 53 pounds to the yard OF The L
e pattern, which shape experience has almost
every where proved 10 be The strongest aud
= mos, durable.
The rapid deterioration Of iron rails,
D which commences soon after they are put
in use, and The total deterioration Of The top
surface under the heavy traffic and high
;. speed Of our principal roads, in period of
: ten 10 fourteen years, in which time a tho
rough renewal becomes necessary; has be-
5 come a subject Of deep ineres. 10 Railroad
Companies, and one justly calculated to
cause alarm and inquiry. On this subject
will venture few remarks. | am Of the
opinion that an error has been committed
for some years pas. in adopting too heavy
q pattern Of rail and too heavy head, with.
ou. reference TO The width or bearing surface
Of the latter. 1t is quite apparent, though
the Truth has escaped practical notice, lha.
The gr aler the number of square inches of
bearing surface, or rather The greater the
transverse linetal bearing which receives the
momentum of trains, the greater will be The
capacity of The iron 10 resis, crushing, LAM
ina'ion, exfolia'on, or ordinary abrasion.
The width Of the top surface is therefore,
think more impor,sn, than The thickness Of
the head. Besides it is now well sscertsin-
ed ths. no iron rsil possesses ability,